Inside Racquel Garcia’s office, uplifting quotes adorn almost every wall. The first quote to draw me in states: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
I’m inside the walls of the nonprofit HardBeauty’s headquarters (480 Kinner St., Castle Rock) where anyone on the path of substance use disorder recovery can drop-in for sober talk and community support. HardBeauty’s approach to healing seeks to fill in the gaps where other services may be missing with peer support services, recovery coaching and therapy from licensed counselors as well as through community partnerships and advocacy – and, coming soon, supported sober living.
As we sit down alongside a mostly bare desk, Garcia, the founder, owner and Chief Innovation Officer of HardBeauty, makes one part of this meeting very clear: She does not do small talk. What she does do is empower second chances.
“I am an open book.” Garcia tells me.
Her personal history is our narrative, and her colorful fingers, arms and neck are the illustrations; Racquel Garcia is covered in tattoos. She explains the art on her right arm is her “overcomer tattoo.” She began overcoming life’s big blows as a teenager, when, in 1993, her two best friends – Ben and Colleen – were shot and killed during their shifts at Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant in Aurora, Colorado. Garcia explains that her trauma from this event led her to substance abuse and alcohol abuse. Throughout our conversation, Garcia steers clear of the word “addict.” She is equally careful not to refer to herself or the people she helps heal as “addicted.” Garcia’s work provides repair and hope for people with substance use disorders.
“I don’t think recovery is possible,” she explains. “Recovery is probable.”
Garcia has gone 15 years now without a drink or an opioid. In addition to her other efforts, she helps Colorado legislators decide how to spend funds to prevent and treat substance use disorders. I wonder aloud, what was the catalyst? How does a woman go from relying on alcohol and over-prescribed opioids, to working in this way?
“[Another friend] Shanna, died. She died of an overdose. She was taking my drugs. Drugs I gave her.” Garcia doesn’t look away. She holds my gaze and goes on to explain that everyone in her life knows her history, her past and her present. Four and a half months after Shanna’s death, Garcia entered rehab. She never looked back. “I got sober in a community,” she says, “and now I have come full circle.”
Her efforts to help the community include services for prisoners and the formerly incarcerated. She said she employees 46 people, each of whom have experienced a substance abuse disorder, incarceration or mental health emergencies. Headquartered in Castle Rock, HardBeauty has branches throughout southern Colorado, including in Colorado Springs (6290 Lehman Dr.).
In February, Garcia, along with her husband and son, will open “Lake and Lantern” in Palmer Lake to support sober living. Her son, Jordan Garcia, is a chef and will create the menu for his family’s newest project.
Garcia is currently fundraising for her next supportive living project, also in Palmer Lake – HardBeauty Haven, a safe home and healing space for mothers in recovery and their children. The home will accommodate three single mothers, along with their young children, who will live with a built-in support system.
To learn more or donate visit HardBeauty.life.
How long have you lived in the Colorado Springs area?
I live on the Palmer Divide, and I’ve lived here since 2008. Wow! 17 years. I moved here from Aurora.
What is your professional title?
I’m a Recovery Evangelist. I help people heal from generational trauma.
What is your organization’s mission?
HardBeauty exists to fill in the gaps in substance abuse recovery. If step one is leaving prison, then step two is treatment, step three is recovery, [and] step four is stable housing. After recovery, women need to learn community. In a community, people eventually learn to give back.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
I have so many favorite parts of helping people heal. I love to work inside of the women’s prison. That mural on my wall was painted by the female inmates I work with. They didn’t miss a thing about showing me. Even the tattoos on my neck are in the mural. The word Holy is on one side. Hood is on the other. My other favorite thing is watching people rebuild their lives, and one way people who are healing can rebuild is by working in my businesses. These people are the center of everything I do.
What is your favorite part of living in/around Colorado Springs?
This is where I got sober. Now I get to come back and buy a house where other people can do the very same thing.
What is your favorite local hangout?
Sometimes, I like to go where I can be anonymous. And I love painting … [with] Kris Gideon Studio. Kris travels to different locations and sets up painting classes. I absolutely love it. It is peaceful.
What is your motto?
“It’s easy to be free when you don’t have anything to hide.” I’m an open book. It makes my work much easier.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
Being appointed by the state attorney general’s office to help allocate [close to] $800 million in settlement money. Colorado won a [multi-state] legal settlement from pharmaceutical companies following the over-prescription of opioids. I was appointed to help put this money into grants [via the Opioid Response Strategic Impact Grant] and other programs that fight the opioid crisis. The attorney general’s name is Phil Weiser. I really feel heard by him. After a few conversations, where I said it felt weird that alcohol was being served at his events, the attorney general stopped having alcohol at his events.
What is HardBeauty’s greatest need?
I need to raise enough money to purchase the house that will serve three single mothers (in recovery) and their children. This house will become the first HardBeauty Haven.
What is next on your personal bucket list?
After I meet a number of organization goals, I’d really love to run for public office.
Each Friday for The Pikes Peak Bulletin, I introduce readers to one of our neighbors reflecting their light onto others. Do you know someone I should meet? Drop me an email at CaseyBradleyGent@gmail.com.
