by LaMara HunterKelly | Jun 24, 2019 | In The News
Frank Santosus: The important role the Northampton Recovery Center plays
Hampshire Gazette -Published: 6/23/2019 8:00:16 PM
One year ago, a letter I wrote about my experience as a member of the Northampton Recovery Center was published in the Gazette. I wrote it on the occasion of the center receiving a United Way grant enabling it to move into its current location at 2 Gleason Plaza.
Prior to that, the NRC was using space generously donated by the Edwards Church. Most important to me personally was expressing gratitude toward the Edwards Church for its support of the NRC, a peer-driven center for people like me who are recovering from drug and alcohol use disorder and many other problems associated with the disease of addiction.
The center is also available to friends and family members who have been impacted by their loved ones’ addiction. The NRC provides members with a safe, supportive environment to inspire and maintain recovery. Several of our members have successfully completed training to be state-certified recovery coaches and peer advocates.
(Continue Reading…)
by LaMara HunterKelly | Jun 14, 2019 | In The News
June 14, 2019
For Immediate Release: Greenfield’s RECOVER Project Wins National Recovery Award
Contact: Peggy Vezina
Program Director, RECOVER project
(413) 774-5489
[email protected]
Greenfield’s RECOVER Project Receives the 2019 Faces and Voices of Recovery’s Joel Hernandez Award
See: https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/about/news-events/joel-hernandez-award-nomination.html
The national Joel Hernandez Voice of the Recovery Community Award recognizes one local, state or regional recovery community organization for its success in assessing the specific needs of their community and carrying out a vision and mission of mobilizing resources within and outside the recovery community to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Greenfield’s RECOVER Project (RP) provides trauma-informed supports based on the guiding principles that people can and do recover from alcohol and drug addiction and that competence and wisdom reside in those with lived experience. People at all points on the recovery continuum of care are offered the safe, respectful, space to develop healthy relationships, participate in a supportive community, develop new interests, attend alternative healing arts activities, practice new social skills, and hone unique talents.
The RECOVER Project was nominated for the award by former member, Jake Powers. Jake said “The RECOVER Project taught me how to become a member of a community. Early in recovery, RECOVER Project members showed me I had value, demonstrated the courage it takes to ask for and receive help, and gave me opportunities to use my strengths and passions to be of service to others. This experience was tremendously formative. Though my recovery journey has brought me away from the Greenfield area, the values I developed as an active member of RECOVER Project have come with me into my relationships with family and friends, into my work as a writer and teacher, and into the various communities I encounter and inhabit as I move through the world.” Linda Sarage, past, long time RECOVER Project Director said: “Since 2003, the RECOVER Project has been a cornerstone of peer recovery support in Franklin County. We know that healing happens in community and that being of service and giving back are core recovery principles. When people come to the RECOVER Project, they find safety and support to hope and dream and transform their lives. This national recognition from FAVOR is well-deserved and highlights the powerful impact of peer recovery on individuals, families, and communities.”
Patty McCarthy, Executive Director of Faces & Voices said of the RECOVER Projects selection, “With a long history of doing extraordinary work helping individuals and families in their community heal from the impact of addiction and trauma, The RECOVER Project is an exemplary model for other Recovery Community Organizations across the nation. They celebrate and bring joy to people in a way that creates a truly empowering peer recovery movement where opportunities for growth and success abound in the true spirit of the Joel Hernandez Award.”
As the nation’s leading grassroots recovery advocacy organization, Faces & Voices has become a model for numerous international recovery advocacy movements. Faces & Voices works to support individuals in long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and their family members, friends and allies in a variety of ways, including, capacity building in support of the national recovery movement, fighting the stigma of addiction, creating groundbreaking recovery messaging trainings and more.
The RECOVER Project will join other honorees at the America Honors Recovery Faces & Voices of Recovery’s annual awards gala on June 17th in Arlington, Virginia at a ceremony which celebrates and honors the most influential recovery community leaders and organizations.
by LaMara HunterKelly | May 30, 2019 | In The News
Community members and volunteers work to build a labyrinth on the campus of the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew on Federal and Church streets Thursday in Greenfield. (Photo by Dan Little)Peggy Vezina, director of the RECOVER Project, said she didn’t know much about labyrinths until she started to help.
“I love the idea,” she said. “It’s all about building community.”
The labyrinth is open to everyone. (CLICK HERE to read full article)
by LaMara HunterKelly | May 16, 2019 | In The News
POSTED 5/16/19 on the United Way Hampshire County Facebook Page
This year, the Kay Sheehan Spirit of the Community Award was awarded to the Northampton Recovery Center.
In the three years since opening their doors, Northampton Recovery Center has become a vital regional resource in the fight against addiction and for recovery. They have grown quickly, starting in the basement of Edwards Church before moving to their own space in downtown Northampton that has allowed them to provide more services, longer hours, and increased visitations. Their peer-to-peer counseling and support for individuals, their families, and allies is nothing short of life changing.
The Northampton Recovery Center’s work in our community was recognized at the United Way’s Annual Celebration and Awards event on Thursday, May 30th at Look Park. NRC’s wonderful director Lynn Ferro, accompanied by core members/advisory committee members John Sullivan and Alexis Neubert, accepted the award.
For more photos and a link to the video of the acceptance speech, check out the NRC Facebook page.
![Bellini’s a proud, passionate advocate]()
by LaMara HunterKelly | May 16, 2019 | In The News
The Provider – Vol. 40 – No. 5 May 2019
Ness Bellini, right, and self-advocate Cassandra at the 2018 Caring Force Rally.Bellini’s supervisor Mary Kate Farley-Dimino says “they have such a sincere style of supporting people in becoming the most effective Self Advocates they can be.” As emphasized in the Consortium’s mission, they demonstrably values the wisdom gained from “lived experience” as one of our most important resources. Bellini recognizes it “makes sense to work with people who’ve been through similar things.” “Over two years ago, self-advocates interviewing Ness knew right away they were right for the job,” said WTMC Executive Director Kristel Applebee. “The interview included an impromptu role play and Ness joined right in – it’s been an environment of curiosity for learning ever since! Ness teams with self-advocates and colleagues in an exceptional way, promoting skill development, stronger relationships and leadership that has increased impact on our service systems and community. We’re grateful for their contributions and can’t wait to see what’s next!”
by LaMara HunterKelly | May 9, 2019 | In The News
By JOSHUA SOLOMON
Staff Writer
Published: 5/9/2019
GREENFIELD —
…Advocates, like Amie Hyson, who is a recovery coach who works with The RECOVER Project in Greenfield, asked the commission to help coaches avoid burnout. This in part is to support a pay that is a livable wage and in part to provide additional services that support the coaches…
Linda Sarage, the former longtime director of The RECOVER Project, said it’s vital to increase the available training and multilingual access to them while decreasing the barriers of cost. She reminded the commission that Pittsfield and Greenfield are not necessarily close.
“We’re weeding out people from particular backgrounds and particular demographics who would be our most valuable assets,” Sarage said. “How do we make it more accessible?”
PICTURED: Sarah AhernSarah Ahern, an active member and advocate of the recovery community in town, emphasized the sheer importance of a recovery coach.
“The peer-to-peer model is so important because as a person in recovery, I’ve had way too much clinical interface,” Ahern said. “When you’re sitting across from someone who has walked your path, the trust is a little different. The trust is there right away.”
(Read Full Article HERE)
