Service in UnityService in Unity
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Started and run by people in all forms of recovery

Real Work. Real Partnerships.
Real Value.

The First Model of Its Kind in the Nation.

We offer helping hands to local organizations and residents, and real, paid roles to people in all forms of recovery, where recovery always comes first.
Win-Win-Win-Win: Service in Unity connects people in all forms of recovery, local residents, local recovery providers, and local organizations and businesses, for our shared local community.
2,258
hours worked by people in all forms of recovery
Our mission

We recognize that opportunities to be valued is a critical part of any recovery and is often difficult to obtain in a safe and supportive environment. We bridge the gap by assisting participants in reaching their full potential. We provide an environment full of camaraderie, adding value, by supporting local organizations that support the local community.

Our vision

Positively impacting the community by offering opportunities to be of value.

About us

Who We Are, and Where We Come From.

A Central NY nonprofit. An idea in 2021, incorporated October 2023, growing since. Our story, our values, and the principles we were built on.
Ways to work together

Low Obstacle Employment. Built for Our Community.

For organizations and residents that need flexible support. For people in all forms of recovery who need real, paid work. For staffing partners who want a reliable referral pathway. One model, built to work for all three. Win-Win-Win.
Our partners
See all partners
Tompkins County Treatment, Wellness & Family Courts
Tompkins County Treatment, Wellness & Family Courts
St. John's Serenity House
St. John's Serenity House
Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO)
Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO)
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS)
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS)
Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR)
Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR)
Tompkins County Community Health Workers
Tompkins County Community Health Workers
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)
Tompkins County Mental Health
Tompkins County Mental Health
Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center
Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities
Mental Health Association of Tompkins County (MHA)
Mental Health Association of Tompkins County (MHA)
Tompkins Community Action (TCA)
Tompkins Community Action (TCA)
New Delhi Diamonds
New Delhi Diamonds
Guthrie
Guthrie
Big Red Microenterprise
Big Red Microenterprise
Community Foundation of Tompkins County
Community Foundation of Tompkins County
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
J. M. McDonald Foundation
J. M. McDonald Foundation
Tompkins Community Bank
Tompkins Community Bank
Centralus Health
Centralus Health
READY Appalachia
READY Appalachia
United Way of Tompkins County
United Way of Tompkins County
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services (SPCS)
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services (SPCS)
McGraw House
McGraw House
Perry City Manors
Perry City Manors
Campfire Rentals
Campfire Rentals
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center
Holt Architects
Holt Architects
Downtown Ithaca
Downtown Ithaca
Connecting 2 Spirit
Connecting 2 Spirit
Ithaca Free Clinic
Ithaca Free Clinic
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Tompkins County Treatment, Wellness & Family Courts
Tompkins County Treatment, Wellness & Family Courts
St. John's Serenity House
St. John's Serenity House
Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO)
Ultimate Reentry Opportunity (URO)
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS)
Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS)
Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR)
Opportunities, Alternatives & Resources (OAR)
Tompkins County Community Health Workers
Tompkins County Community Health Workers
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)
Tompkins County Mental Health
Tompkins County Mental Health
Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center
Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities
Mental Health Association of Tompkins County (MHA)
Mental Health Association of Tompkins County (MHA)
Tompkins Community Action (TCA)
Tompkins Community Action (TCA)
New Delhi Diamonds
New Delhi Diamonds
Guthrie
Guthrie
Big Red Microenterprise
Big Red Microenterprise
Community Foundation of Tompkins County
Community Foundation of Tompkins County
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
J. M. McDonald Foundation
J. M. McDonald Foundation
Tompkins Community Bank
Tompkins Community Bank
Centralus Health
Centralus Health
READY Appalachia
READY Appalachia
United Way of Tompkins County
United Way of Tompkins County
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services (SPCS)
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Services (SPCS)
McGraw House
McGraw House
Perry City Manors
Perry City Manors
Campfire Rentals
Campfire Rentals
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center
Downtown Ithaca Children's Center
Holt Architects
Holt Architects
Downtown Ithaca
Downtown Ithaca
Connecting 2 Spirit
Connecting 2 Spirit
Ithaca Free Clinic
Ithaca Free Clinic
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
What people say

Real Voices from Our Community.

Person in recovery
My initial meeting with Scott was unlike any I've ever had with an employer — validity, transparency, authenticity and safety immediately put me at ease. I've never felt like I had to hide or feel ashamed of my recovery journey.
Service in Unity participant staff
An organization we serve
Service in Unity not only offers the labor resources we need to attain our mission, but the supportive structure to ensure the people in recovery succeed. When I or my staff are looking for support, Service in Unity is my first connection.
Executive Director of a Local Nonprofit
Staffing partner
Service in Unity allows people an opportunity to be seen as human, met where they are at, and able to once again feel a sense of worth and purpose. When members of the community are strong, this strengthens the community as a whole.
Eden deYoung, Clinical Supervisor, Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services
In the media

Service in Unity in the Media.

Recent press, podcasts, and recognition from around Central New York.
Podcast
Sober Dad Crew — Episode 93

Scott Sherwood on Sober Dad Crew

Our founder and Executive Director talks with Stephen Kimball about his recovery, founding Service in Unity, and the apps built to support recovery and real work.
Press
Ithaca Times — Ithaca Notes

Finding Work to Aid Recovery

Stephen Burke’s column on how Service in Unity works: we hire people in recovery directly as W-2 staff, then place them with local employers in a supportive, stigma-free role.
Recognition
Alternatives Federal Credit Union

Alternatives Business of the Month

In December 2025, Alternatives Federal Credit Union, our strategic partner, featured Service in Unity as its Business of the Month, recognizing our first-in-the-nation model.
Watch

See What We Do, In Our Own Words.

An interview with our founder covering the basics of what Service in Unity is, who we work with, and why the model works. Two minutes.
Stay connected

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Updates on our work and community, once a month.
Updates from the field
More Passion Than Money blog
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Common questions

Have Questions?

A few of the most common ones. See the full list on our FAQ page.

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