Develop Dickinson and F5 Project Member
By Allie Maciej
Empowered by Ladyboss Lifestyle
Abi Rohrer has emerged as a passionate advocate for mental health, recovery, housing, and community resources. Her journey to this point has been marked by personal growth, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Rohrer’s story is set in Dickinson, North Dakota, and is a testament to the transformative power of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals and embracing opportunities for personal and professional development.
Rohrer’s journey began with a profound lesson: Get comfortable with being 100% uncomfortable. This early realization shaped her approach to life, pushing her to explore new horizons and seek out experiences that would help her grow. Rohrer’s background in nursing care and her interactions with individuals recovering from addiction ignited a passion for helping others on their unique life journeys. This passion became the driving force behind her involvement in the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce and the F5 Project, two organizations that align with her values and aspirations.
Dickinson Woman Advocates for Breaking the Stigma
Mental Health, Recoverees, Housing, and Community Resources
Rohrer recognizes the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and recovery. She emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals who can provide motivation and different perspectives. Rohrer has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to changing circumstances, advocating for projects that not only benefit individuals but also contribute to the betterment of entire communities. With these opportunities, Rohrer continues through life adjusting as needed, rolling with the punches, and beginning to advocate for larger projects that not only help individuals but help shape communities.
It’s who you know, not what you know
Rohrer’s story challenges conventional notions of success, particularly for women. She emphasizes that there is no single formula for achieving success, as it varies greatly from person to person. “There is a stigma for one way of becoming a successful woman. But there are multiple ways you can become a successful woman … it looks very different for everyone,” Rohrer says. Her strong mindset and resilience allowed her to focus on her dream of helping others during the challenging times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her decision to join the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce and later the Professional Development Committee was a pivotal moment, as it connected her with a supportive group that empowered her to use her voice effectively.
The women of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce gave Rohrer the courage to use her voice among her other strong female colleagues. Expanding on her growth through the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Rohrer has enjoyed joining multiple city boards to help the growth of the community. She is a very big advocate for seeing projects to fruition to support the growth of local businesses and people, encouraging success for decades to come for Dickinson.
“By putting yourself in the position of success, you will find that you are able to go for what you want and develop your professional side,” says Rohrer. She gained multiple connections that brought her a new appreciation for valuing the little things. With her own personal recovery story close to her heart, she began focusing on the solutions instead of all the problems that arose around her and utilized her experience as a way to give back to others. When she met Adam Martin, founder of the F5 Project, she became even more connected to using her voice and passion to help others.
As a member of the F5 Project, Rohrer recognized the challenges of accessing resources for individuals on the path to recovery. She highlighted the lack of exposure to these resources and the barriers created by societal labels. Rohrer’s dedication to helping those in need led her to advocate for resources, network on behalf of individuals, and emphasize the importance of dismantling the stigma around the daily struggles that impact us all. Rohrer discovered that you never know until you’re personally there, and seeing that you need to break the stigma around the daily mundane tasks that truly add up and impact us.
Women, we run the world
As Beyonce preaches, women run the world. Going for what you want in life opens positive possibilities to find what you love to do. Rohrer embodies the idea that women can shape their destinies and positively influence the world. Her passion for helping people has allowed her to guide individuals on their journeys, especially those starting from square one. Rohrer’s advice to become grateful for the present rather than constantly looking toward the future speaks to her commitment to embracing the here and now.
For Rohrer, she loves being able to help people. There are a lot of people Rohrer has helped on steps of their journeys. She spoke about how a bulk of them start at square one, so getting the opportunity to get involved with her circle can help those individuals become integral members of society one step at a time.
“Become grateful for where you are at today, there is no life for the future,” is one of the many motivational things Rohrer mentioned when she gave details for how she envisioned her future to continue. Rohrer realizes that within her success as a chamber member for Dickinson and being a part of the F5 Project, she is also a busy mother who brings her passion for helping others to her own family.
Being successful can look different to everyone. Rohrer explained that she uses her professional skills as part of the guide to help her own family live their best potential lives by supporting their passions individually, helping them find their own sense of confidence and voice to shape their motivations on doing what they want to do most. She understands that celebrating the little victories is an essential part of growth, both personally and within a community.
“There’s nothing like seeing individuals happy, celebrating the little things that go right for them,” says Rohrer. It is an important part of growth to empower others’ decisions and not apologize for standing up for what you believe in. Rohrer advises that those who don’t know where to start should stay openly communicative to stand up for what they believe in while finding confidence in the little things they love doing. Being able to use your voice, stand up for what’s right, and support what you want to be passionate about will help you become genuine to yourself and motivate others around you.
The power of using your voice
Rohrer encourages others to find their voice, stand up for what they believe in, and take pride in the things they love doing. By doing so, individuals can become more authentic and motivate those around them. Her journey is a testament to the power of embracing discomfort, the importance of setting boundaries personally and professionally, seeking supportive connections, and advocating for positive change in the community.
Rohrer’s story serves as an inspiring example of an individual who has harnessed her experiences, passions, and connections to break down stigma, empower others, and create a positive impact in her community. Her journey reminds us that success is not limited to one path and that by embracing discomfort and using our voices, we can shape our destinies and motivate those around us.
Develop Dickinson
dickinsonchamber.org/develop-dickinson-program
701.225.5115
[email protected]
314 3rd Ave West P.O. Box C Dickinson, ND 58601
Facebook | /DickinsonChamber
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/company/dickinson-areachamber-of-commerce
F5 Project
f5project.org
701.210.2491
[email protected]
1122 1st Ave N Fargo, ND 58102
Facebook | /f5projectorg
Instagram | @f5projectorg