by LaMara HunterKelly | Oct 24, 2019 | In The News
Cara Moser and Julie Foster look at photos and talk about their daughters after a meeting of Harm Reduction Works in July at the Northampton Recovery Center. Both women lost their daughters to opioid overdoses and now are working to promote harm reduction practices.By LAURIE LOISEL
For the Gazette
On a balmy Wednesday evening in late July, 11 people circled up on comfy couches and chairs at the Northampton Recovery Center for the weekly gathering of Harm Reduction Works, a meeting billed as an alternative to abstinence-only opioid recovery groups.
“I’m here because I feel compelled to be here,” said Cara Moser in a round of introductions. “My daughter died eight months ago, and I feel like it’s important to learn as much as we can about keeping people alive.”
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by LaMara HunterKelly | Aug 27, 2019 | In The News
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.
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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.
by LaMara HunterKelly | Jan 29, 2019 | In The News
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 took part in writing groups about how the opioid crisis has impacted their lives. The experience culminated in a reading and reception at the Northampton Recovery Center last month.
By Laurie Loisel
For the Gazette
Published: 1/29/2019 10:21:37 AM
“That is heroin. The eraser, the slate wiper. Emotional anesthetic. Love, sympathy, forgiveness, truth and beauty all in one fantastic lie. The warm embrace.”
Those powerful words are an excerpt from a piece written by Thomas Miklovich as part of a writing group for people whose lives have been impacted by the opioid crisis. I had the privilege to facilitate that four-session group in November.
Participants included parents whose adult children struggled with opioid addiction, including some who had lost the battle, as well as younger people at various stages and on various paths of recovery. Like Miklovich, they had lots to say.
Hampshire HOPE teamed up with the Academy of Music for what might seem an unlikely collaboration, resulting in a set of writing groups whose members bravely and boldly wrote about the harrowing toll opioid misuse has taken on their lives. The project aims to harness the arts to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic, possibly increasing understanding and reducing the stigma associated with the disease of addiction, which can be a barrier to people seeking help.
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