ABOVE: Beth Celander presents her business at the Faribault County Fair last week in Blue Earth. Celander aims to inform the people of Faribault and Martin County about her business’ priority for passenger safety with it’s anti-discriminatory/anti-stigmatizing settings.

FAIRMONT — There’s a new business driving up to the area. Beth Celander of Huntley is beginning a new taxi service, ensuring the elimination of discrimination, stigmatization and circumstances that threaten the safety of passengers in a vehicle service setting.

Celander shared that she has battled a drug addiction on and off for 27 years. Celander performed treatment three times a week at fountain centers and attended meetings as part of a twelve-step recovery program. She said that after being pulled over, she had to figure out the local bus and taxi system.

According to Celander, one of her experiences in the cab was an unfortunate one she will never forget with many inappropriate things said to her, but it provoked her to start the Recovery Rides business.

“Even after that, they still didn’t stop and worked those days several times. That car ride, God said to me, that there’s got to be a better way,” she recalled.

After contacting the service to request no longer riding with the specific driver, and waiting two hours for a response, the taxi service company obliged and agreed to no longer assign the driver to her, offering a replacement driver for her evening meetings. However, she reportedly did not receive a refund, an apology, or reassurance that the driver received any consequence for their behavior.

Celander believes her business vocation will operate better than the service she received.

She has registered her business online with the Secretary of State and currently operates Recovery Rides by herself. As the business develops, she hopes to station and employ eligible drivers passionate about the Recovery Rides mission. The addition of more drivers would allow stressors to be eliminated for Celander, and passengers would be transported to their destinations simultaneously.

“I’d like to make it state-wide; I’d like to make it national,” Celander said. “As time goes on and the business progresses, then maybe I can start to see increases. I’ll have employees. It’s just me right now. I’m taking donations, and that’s how it’s operating.”

Celander expressed that since the Minnesota legalization of recreational marijuana in 2023, the new law has given drivers a potential opportunity to operate duties while abusing the substance, thus endangering both themselves and their customers. With Recovery Rides, Celander promises that no passenger will get into a vehicle a driver under the influence is operating.

“I hope in the future I can partner with sober houses, treatment centers, drug court coordinators and even probation officers,” Celander explained. “I could get contracts so I would be their sole driver.”

Recovery Rides has partnered with Cheri Frank from Healing Hearts Housing (based in Sherburn) to transport women in addiction and alcoholism recovery to their needed destinations for meetings and errands. Celander shared with a smile that Frank has been a significant support for her in her journey with recovery and mental health.

The taxi business aims to encourage everyone, regardless of life’s circumstances, to view I as one that offers an easy, stress-free, safe method to travel.

“I never want to be exclusive, I want to be inclusive,” she said.

Celander strives to remove the additional stressor of expensive taxi trips. Living in Huntley, she added that she used to spend $70 per day for her meetings.

“I don’t want to rake people over. I understand car maintenance, gas, taxes and insurance….I have to take that all into account. I’ll probably be lower [priced], but you know what, it’s because I want people to succeed.”

Above all, Celander is dedicated to providing those struggling with addiction and mental health and anyone the ability to smoothly and safely travel without apprehension, and travel in a judgment-free zone, especially with drivers who understand their circumstances. Celander herself said that she has suffered homelessness, working out of her vehicle, and several other unfortunate circumstances. She shared that she is now clean.

“It’s a tough road. But there is hope and there is life after this,” Celander said.

Recovery Rides hopes to touch the lives of customers throughout Minnesota. The logo presents itself as connected puzzle pieces in the form of a butterfly. According to Celander, the butterfly represents faith, hope and recovery. It displays the beginning of her business and desire to put the pieces of people’s lives back together through her generous ride service.

The vehicle she uses for her operations has currently 300,000 miles, which stands in the way of the business being approved for a 501c3. Presently, for assistance, Celander is seeking partnerships, sponsorships and grants.

Recovery Rides currently operates within Faribault and Martin County. Currently, Celander is focusing on funding for a new vehicle to use for customer transportation, rather than her personal vehicle. To support the evolution of Recovery Rides, Celander is graciously accepting donations. Contact can be made on the official Recovery Rides website.