In the News
Former inmates lead support groups for jail
George Ballentine, left, and Larry Thomas, both former inmates, run support groups for people who have been incarcerated and provide one-on-one mentorship. STAFF PHOTO/ANDY CASTILLO By GRACE BIRD Staff Writer Published: 8/29/2019 10:35:39 PM GREENFIELD — After...
Hampshire HOPE: Photo exhibit seeks to smash stigma around addiction, inspire recovery
Photo Credit: Veronika Patty, Project Redemption By LAURIE LOISEL For the Gazette Published: 8/27/2019 9:22:14 AM Inspiration for the Project Redemption traveling photo exhibit came to Ashburnham photographer Veronika Patty two years ago while she listened to a woman...
The important role the Northampton Recovery Center plays
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...
Greenfield’s RECOVER Project Receives the 2019 Faces and Voices of Recovery’s Joel Hernandez Award
June 14, 2019 For Immediate Release: Greenfield’s RECOVER Project Wins National Recovery Award Contact: Peggy Vezina Program Director, RECOVER project (413) 774-5489 pvezina@wmtcinfo.org Greenfield’s RECOVER Project Receives the 2019 Faces and Voices of Recovery’s...
Building community: Group finishes labyrinth on Greenfield church campus
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)
United Way Hampshire County Awards Northampton Recovery Center with the Kay Sheehan Spirit of the Community Award!
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...
Bellini’s a proud, passionate advocate
The Provider - Vol. 40 - No. 5 May 2019 Ness Bellini, West Region Self-Advocacy and Rainbow Support Group Coordinator has been with the Western Massachusetts Training Consortium since September 2017. On a typical day, Bellini offers individual support to...
Talking recovery in Greenfield: State hears western Mass. concerns on recovery coach profession
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...
Writing workshops across Pioneer Valley help women set their inner voices free
By MAX MARCUS Staff Writer Published: 4/10/2019 5:24:12 PM Kayla Barcomb never wrote poetry before Voices From Inside started a writing workshop for women in the Franklin County jail last May. So at her first writing session, even though everyone was encouraging, she...
Hampshire Hope: Writing through the pain
PICTURED: Judy Ryan, a retired teacher and facilitator of one of the writing groups, reads a piece by a participant, as other writers look on. She said she “got to know a group of seven courageous men who shared their experiences honestly and openly.”About 30 people...