Our history
The Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) was founded in 1991 to bring together addiction-focused groups and build a coalition advocating for the licensing of Alcohol and Drug Counselors and other key issues. MOAR’s founding mentor was Leroy Kelly, a respected recovery advocate. Maryanne Frangules joined as a core collaborator and went on to serve as MOAR’s first Executive Director from 1999 until her retirement in January 2025. Noel Sierra now serves as the current Executive Director.
MOAR was originally known as the Massachusetts Organization of Americans for Recovery. The organization sought to collaborate with former Iowa Senator Harold Hughes’ Society of Americans for Recovery, which aimed to end discrimination against people with addiction in all areas of life, including health care, criminal justice, employment, and housing.
MOAR later became the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery when it joined the New England Alliance for Addiction Recovery in 1998. This alliance was supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the Recovery Community Support Program.
This project was funded for just over six years, during which time it helped build a strong recovery network across New England. At the same time, MOAR began receiving—and continues to receive—critical support from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.
MOAR is alive today because of the unwavering dedication of people in recovery, along with their families, friends, and allies.
Milestones
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Joined ARCO, Addiction Recovery Community Organization, a Faces and Voices of Recovery national recovery community association.
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Executive Director, Maryanne Frangules, was nationally on The Faces and Voices of Recovery Board member from 2014 to 2021.
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A MA Coalition for Addiction Services member- moving to keep the continuum of care alive and well since its founding in 2003.
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Worked in coalition to improve opportunities to improve insurance coverage for addiction treatment.
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With the AIDS Action Committee co-chaired a successful Good Samaritan Campaign- instituting protection for legal charges against people for simple drug possession, when calling 911 to seek emergency medical attention during an overdose. We are now moving to promote public awareness.
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Participated in SAFE MA- helping to educate all about Removing Alcohol Beverage Advertising from State Property.
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Is a proud member of many coalitions. Many are working to sustain their efforts.
- P.A.U.S.E.S is an example of strategically moving forward.
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A.R.E.A.S., (Addiction Recovery Education Access Services), facilitators are now helping others know and experience their housing, education, career, rights across the system. We are planning for these groups to grow and glow!
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Is spreading the word about Knowing Your rights Regarding Insurance Parity and Health Care Reform.
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Partnered with The RIZE Foundation to build a Know Your Rights Toolkit on their website - Rize
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Served on 4 Commissions
- Recovery Coach, Section 35, Prevention, and Medication Assisted Treatment
- Representing the recovery community during Governor Baker’s Administration
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Established a Peer Recovery Coach Committee for those who wanted a voice to maintain the fidelity of recovery coaches, which still meets today.
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Is very pleased to have participated in The Governor Opioid Advisory Task Force and The Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention during Governor Deval Patrick’s administration helping to address the epidemic of fatal opioid overdoses.