Our story & team
In 2016, a few musicians in Detroit realized there was something missing for travelers in recovery - resources. Tools for maintenance on the road to recovery.
For those traveling or on tour, schedules change everyday and recovery support is often out of reach or unavailable. For some of us, it can be an overwhelming journey when the search for peace is drowned out by everyday anxieties.
As Passenger has evolved, we have expanded to include all who wish to explore recovery, by creating a Community Center with events that bring our local community together through music, arts and recovery; Much like those in the music industry, people in recovery come from all walks of life, with different struggles. And much like music, recovery can be a great connector, bringing people together to find common ground. Our mission is to support all pathways to recovery, and to provide that connection.
We at Passenger set out to create a network and provide easy access to help those in need when their usual support systems are miles and miles away. At home in Detroit/Hamtramck, we share resources and info on our network partners, and create advocacy events to bring knowledge and enrichment to those looking for a creative recovery community. We welcome anyone and everyone seeking help and respite on the road, and focus on connecting them with our local community. Our primary purpose is to support all who wish to achieve or maintain recovery, and to embrace all faiths, creeds, colors and walks of life.
Passenger. Our name comes from three sources: the first step of recovery (surrender), the literal objective of transporting and assisting people to meetings locally, and as a reference to Detroit's rich musical history in the form of the Iggy Pop song "The Passenger".
Our first solution to come along was the 'Clean Green Room' project. We began offering free transportation to meetings for folks passing through our hometown of Detroit, and an in-person space free from the potential triggers of a conventional backstage for artists to utilize before a show. The next exciting step for us was to begin hosting artists such as Lol Tolhurst (The Cure) and Brett Netson (Built To Spill) to perform and share their struggles with addiction and recovery. Our ongoing goal is to connect our traveling music family with our local recovery community, alongside a message of hope and support.
Over the years, we've sought to extend our reach by providing resources for those in, and beyond Detroit. In 2018 we launched Compass - an interactive national meeting database and finder tool for major metropolitan areas. The Compass database currently contains over 17,000 meetings spanning multiple cities across the Midwest and UK. Our database is inclusive of AA and NA, as well as buddhist recovery (Refuge) and mental health support (NAMI).
In 2022, Passenger was certified as a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) through Faces and Voices of Recovery, for our work helping to normalize recovery in creative communities through events and support groups. In 2024, Passenger opened a Recovery Community Center in Hamtramck, serving as a home-base for advocacy events, recovery coaching/peer and translation services, creative writing, open music sessions, partner events, and more. This RCC also allows us to expand our "Clean Green Room" model, and offer touring musicians a safe place to go while in town.
We also offer an online Music and Recovery meeting that gathers every Tuesday at 8am Pacific/11am Eastern/4pm UK. Click our “Online Meeting” page to find more info on the weekly Tuesday meeting, and other online music-based support meetings for those on tour or working remotely.
And if we can't help you find a meeting, we can at the very least provide you with online tools to stay healthy. We maintain a regularly updated "Toolbox" page of videos and articles pertaining to recovery and mindfulness - all readily available for download or streaming.
Finding time to talk about anxiety, addiction, and mental health in general is imperative to staying safe and sane. We at Passenger want to keep that dialogue open and evolving.
Our team
Christopher Tait
Director
Detroit, MI
Just 'cause you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.
- George Carlin
Matt Tompkins
Senior Software Developer
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Don't be worried. Don't be afraid, ever. Because it's just a ride.
- Bill Hicks
Holly Speirs
Office and Events Manager/Compass Coordinator
Detroit, MI
There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.
- Mister Rogers
Bryan Wolf
Director of Programming
Detroit, MI
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it; Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Jean Khut
Volunteer
Detroit, MI
When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision - then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
- Audre Lorde
Joanne Croxford
Volunteer
London, UK
In a world that profits from your insecurities, loving yourself is a rebellious act.
Brandon Reddick
Volunteer
Detroit, MI
Don't be afraid to be yourself, the world needs more genuine people.
Shawn Dylan
Volunteer
Chicago, IL
Fix your hearts or die.
- David Lynch/Gordon Cole - Twin Peaks
Cody Humston
Volunteer
Cincinnati, OH
"Stick with your heart and you'll be fine."
- Paul Westerberg
Corey Telin
Board Member
Ann Arbor, MI
Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.
- Leonard Cohen
Victoria Duncan
Board Member
Indianapolis, IN
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
- Oscar Wilde
Ken Hughes
Board Member
Lakewood, CO
I want something else. I'm not even sure what to call it anymore except I know it feels roomy and it's drenched in sunlight and it's weightless and I know it's not cheap.
- Mark Z. Danielewski - House Of Leaves
Keith Thompson
Board Member
Detroit, MI
Be excellent to each other.
- Bill S Preston, Esq.
Grace & Dottie
PMA
Detroit, MI
Eat, Sleep, Repeat.
