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HOLISTIC, PEER LED RECOVERY RESOURCES
DISCOVER YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
| | | | CALL: (860) 505-7581 | EMAIL: INFO@ADVOCACYUNLIMITED.ORG | | |
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Free Community Education
- Virtual Peer Advocacy Network
- Supporting Recovery During the Transition to Adulthood
- Alternatives to Medication: Plant Meds
- Problem Gambling
- Self Care Practices for Recovery Support Workers
- Cannabis and Mental Health
Recovery Support Specialist Course
Programs of AU
- Bridger Program
- CT Alternatives to Suicide
- CT Hearing Voices Network
- Join Rise Be
- Toivo
Peer Support Groups
- Alternatives to Suicide
- Connecticut Hearing Voices Network
- Late Night Support Meetings from RIPPLE
- Bridger Program Meet-Up
Peer Employment Opportunities
CT Addiction Peer Recovery
Peer Respites
- Gloria House
- Anemoni
- Afiya
Peer Led Resources
Connecticut Resources
Contact Us
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CREATIVITY PUZZLE
Remote Associates Test
The Remote Associates Test normally takes a linguistic form: given three words, the participant is asked to come up with a fourth word associated with all three of them.
Example: Square | Cardboard | Open - BOX
Game, Drop, Base| ASSOCIATED WORD
ANSWER AT THE BOTTOM OF NEWSLETTER!
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Peer Advocacy Network
January 16, 2026
10 AM - 11:30 AM
Zoom (Link Provided After Registration)
The Peer Advocacy Network is space for people working in peer recovery services and allies to meet monthly and discuss topics related to the professional practice of peer support. Together, we work toward improving access to peer delivered recovery resources, unifying the peer recovery workforce of Connecticut, and dismantling psychiatric oppression.
| | | | | Supporting Recovery During the Transition to Adulthood | |
January 14, 2026
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Advocacy Unlimited
2075 Silas Deane Hwy.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Join this training to learn about generational trends, the process of recovery during the transition to adulthood, and cognitive and neural development.
| | Alternatives to Medication: Plant Meds | |
March 16, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Advocacy Unlimited
2075 Silas Deane Hwy.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Join us to learn how mental health professionals with lived experience navigate and thrive in the clinical world. Explore how internalized stigma and diagnosis myths can be dismantled through storytelling and community care. Evaluate recovery as an empowered, evolving process rooted in choice, accountability, and mutual growth.
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March 17, 2026
10:00 - 11:30 AM
Advocacy Unlimited
2075 Silas Deane Hwy.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Explore effective ways to support individuals facing gambling challenges. Gain insights into sports betting, understand risk factors, prevention strategies, and how to encourage responsible gaming habits.
| | Self-Care Practices for Recovery Support Workers | |
March 25, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Toivo Center
1477 Park St
Hartford, CT 06106
Recovery support work is meaningful, heart-centered, and demanding—and too often, the helpers forget to pour back into themselves. Join us for Self-Care Practices for Recovery Support Workers, a grounding and energizing seminar designed to strengthen your resilience, restore balance, and enhance your effectiveness in the field.
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February 10, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Zoom
Join us for an empowering and eye-opening training on Marijuana as a holistic alternative for healing. Led by Uzma Zakir, RPh, founder of bloom Higher, this session explores the science, safety, and lived possibilities of plant medicine.
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UPCOMING RSS
CERTIFICATION & TRAINING
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AU's RSS Training is an 80-hour advanced training course that prepares students with the skills and knowledge required to provide trauma recovery resources as peer support specialists in Connecticut.
Applications for our April 2026 Recovery Support Specialist Course open on November 1, 2025. The application deadline is January 31st, 2026. This course will be held in New London, CT.
| | | | | Reach Out to the Bridger Program | |
Bridgers offer 1:1 peer support to adults living in CT who are 18+ and who find themselves living in difficult circumstances and moving through big transitions.
This program is offered at no cost to participants, and is grant funded.
For more information contact us at:
call: 860-505-7581
email: info@advocacyunlimited.org
| | Bridger Program Participant Meet-up | |
Weekly on Wednesdays
3 PM - 4 PM
Advocacy Unlimited
2075 Silas Deane Hwy.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
This is a 1 hour group for people seeking community, connection, and hope.
Facilitated by a trained peer support specialist. Enjoy activities, dialogue, and light refreshments.
Registration is not required.
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CT ALTERNATIVES TO SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP
An Alt2Su group is a 1-hour peer-support group for people living with thoughts of suicide. Groups are facilitated by trained people and are a judgement-free space where participants can talk about suicidal thoughts, and develop strategies for learning to live with these experiences. We have three groups starting this winter. Check out details below.
STARTS DECEMBER 22, 2025
3rd Monday of Every Month
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
CCAR Torrington
STARTS JANUARY 5, 2026
Every Monday
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Advocacy Unlimited
STARTS JANUARY 6, 2026
Every Tuesday
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Toivo Center
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CT HEARING VOICES NETWORK
The CT Hearing Voices Network provides statewide support for people who hear voices or have other alternative experiences. CTHVN group times can be subject to change throughout the month. Updated times and dates can be found on the CTHVN website, including:
VIRTUAL GROUPS
IN PERSON GROUPS
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YOUNG ADULT WARMLINE—PHONE-BASED PEER SUPPORT
855-646-7366 | 7 Days a week | 12pm-9pm
Our Warmline offers statewide phone-based peer support for young adults.
Similar to hotlines, staff connect callers to community resources, hold space, and inspire callers to step forward and towards a life of self-defined purpose.
All are welcome to call to connect with a peer today!
| | YOUNG ADULTS | JOIN RISE BE | | | | AN EMERGING ADULT RECOVERY INITIATIVE | We are a grant funded peer-led initiative built by young people for young people. We are based in New Britain, Connecticut and travel statewide to create space through presentations, workshops, and peer-groups. We our shared lived experience so others feel comfortable to do the same. We are here to influence positive change across our current mental health system and within our communities. Through our effort we cultivate the belief that recovery is possible and we all have the capacity to achieve self-defined success. | | |
UPCOMING MEETINGS
January 1
February 5
March 5
April 2
May 7
June 4
July 2
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YOUNG ADULT ADVISORY BOARD
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY | 11AM-1PM
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A space for young adults from across Connecticut to share, connect and use our collective experiences to improve the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services' young adult programming.
During meetings, we connect, share, and plan statewide recovery and leadership events. We are currently planning the 2023 Young Adult Summer Funfest.
TO REGISTER EMAIL CONNECT@JOINRISEBE.ORG
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HOLISTIC MIND BODY WELLNESS IS OUR INTENTION | | | |
Toivo was established by Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. in 2014 to bring holistic mind body wellness to folks living with a psychiatric diagnosis. Operating as a peer-led initiative, Toivo offers statewide classes, workshops and a center for holistic healing and stress management located in Hartford, Connecticut.
To Learn more visit the Toivo website HERE
| | PEER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Youth Peer Bridger:
Provide brief, transitional peer support to help guide young people, aged 14-17, through their recovery and change processes. Important attributes expected of applicants include cultural humility, trauma responsive, gender affirming, recovery oriented, person centered, situationally aware, strong boundaries, high degree of integrity and ethical standards, excellent communication skills, a sense of humor, flexible, consistent, reliable, growth oriented, solution focused, and patience.
APPLY HERE
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Youth Peer Bridger Program Manager:
lead the Youth Peer Bridger Program as a member of Cross Organizational Leadership. Important attributes expected of applicants include cultural humility, trauma responsive, gender affirming, recovery oriented, person centered, situationally aware, high degree of integrity and ethical standards, excellent communication skills, a sense of humor, flexible, consistent, reliable, growth oriented, solution focused, and patience.
APPLY HERE
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Healing From Within Program Manager:
Core to the mission of Toivo is Healing From Within (HFW), which brings holistic, mind body wellness classes to people who are psychiatrically detained at Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) and other state operated institutions. The position of HFW Program Coordinator provides holistic, mind-body wellness as a pathway to mental health, addiction, and trauma recovery. The Program Coordinator will manage day-to-day HFW operations and ensure program goals align with Toivo’s mission.
APPLY HERE
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Toivo Program Assistant:
The Program Assistant provides administrative organization and support for all Toivo Center offerings, and outreach events as well as being the face of Toivo to callers, drop ins, guests and participants. The Program Assistant is responsible for supporting all aspects of Toivo Center offerings including social media and print content creation and promotion, setting up and breaking down the space, inventory and ordering, signing in and attendance, and coordination of monthly coverage.
APPLY HERE
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Community Bridger:
Community Bridger offers brief, transitional peer support to people aged eighteen and older who are currently involved or at risk of involvement in psychiatric services. Community Bridgers are not expected to be members of a treatment team nor take on the role of case management or crisis workers. Important skills and attributes applicants should bring to this position include remaining culturally and trauma responsive, gender affirming, recovery oriented, person centered, situationally aware, open-minded, excellent communication skills, a sense of humor, growth oriented, solution focused, and patience.
APPLY HERE
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ARE YOU AN EMPLOYER WITH AN OPEN POSITION?
Know of a job opportunity available? Please let us know, and we'll get the word out to our network of qualified applicants.
EMAIL: info@advocacyunlimited.org
| | | CT ADDICTION PEER RECOVERY | | | | Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery | A community non-profit dedicated to organizing the addiction recovery community (people in recovery, family members, friends and allies) to put a face on recovery and provide recovery support services, we also promote recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction through advocacy, education and services. CCAR meets people where they are. We don’t push any one form of recovery on anyone. | | | | Afiya is the first peer-run respite in Massachusetts and one of only a few dozen in the country. Afiya strives to provide a space in which each person can find the balance and support needed to turn a difficult time into a learning and growth opportunity. We prioritize offering an alternative to/supporting people to avoid psychiatric hospitalization and other more invasive/disruptive interventions. | | Anemoni Peer Respite is Wildflower Alliance’s second peer respite and the first trans and queer peer respite in the world. Located in Holykoe, Massachusetts, Anemoni offers both a place to stay and Mobile Supports in the community | | | | | The Gloria House Peer Respite | The Gloria House is a 4 Bedroom residential peer respite home located in New Britain, CT. The house is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – by peers who identify as having direct lived experience with mental health, addiction and/ or trauma. The Gloria House offers voluntarily, short-term respite services as an alternative to traditional psychiatric stays. | | | | Late-Night Support Meetings | |
Are you a night owl?
Join RIPPLE for their late-night support groups on zoom, from 10pm-12am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Can psychotherapy work against the mainstream system? What does it take to be truly compassionate as a professional? And what are the downsides of promising alternatives such as Open Dialogue?
LISTEN HERE
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National Paranoia Network | |
The Paranoia Network was originally launched in 2004. Run by Peter Bullimore, Kate Crawford and Shaun Hunt, the organization aims to raise awareness of how disabling paranoia can be, and to breakdown social taboos.
Read A tribute to Peter Bullimore
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The Wildflower Alliance supports healing and empowerment for our broader communities and people who have been impacted by psychiatric diagnosis, trauma, extreme states, homelessness, problems with substances and other life-interrupting challenges.
Wildflower Alliance Website: wildfloweralliance.org
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MADNESS NETWORK NEWS
Madness Network News is dedicated to the interchange of energy and support of mad people and psychiatric survivors. Our work is rooted in psychiatric abolition and mad liberation movements, and we are committed to fighting against psychiatric oppression and violence everywhere.
BLOG: Anti-psychiatry vs. Psychiatric Abolition
BY: Róisín
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Open everyday 11:00 am - 11:00 pm PT.
The Psychedelic Peer Support Line is staffed by rigorously trained, compassionate, supportive volunteers from diverse backgrounds who listen deeply and from a place of non-judgment.
| | Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship of people who help each other to stay sober. They offer the same help to anyone who has a drinking problem and wants to do something about it. Since they are all alcoholics themselves, they have a special understanding of each other. They know what the illness feels like – and they have learned how to recover from it in AA. | | The CT Cross Disability Lifespan Alliance is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations that advocate for the full inclusion and participation of all people with disabilities in their communities. The CCDLA meets every other month to share resources, promote issues of importance and to advocate for solutions that improve the quality of lives for people with disabilities. In addition, the Alliance hosts Policy calls every other week to address policy issues at the local, state, and national levels. | |
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RIPPLE is a small collective of people who have lived experience with mental health and/or addiction challenges. Their mission is to empower their peers and use their voices to educate, inform, and inspire new leaders in the community. They aim to bring new and innovative ideas to the recovery process for the benefit of all.
RIPPLE has a comprehensive list of resources in Connecticut, organized by need and county.
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Learn About:
-The opioid epidemic
-How to prevent an overdose
-How to recognize warning signs & symptoms
-How to administer Narcan (Naloxone)
-Current protective legislation in CT
-Local resources & services
| | Inner Compass Initiative helps people make more informed choices about psychiatric diagnoses and drugs and build community with like-minded others thinking critically about today's mental health industry. We work to support individuals to engage in curious, critical, independent self-education and inner exploration, and collectively, to help develop more interconnected, empowered and resilient grassroots communities. | | Helping Hands: A Resource Guide for Families With Loved Ones In Prison | Prison Families Alliance (PFA) is committed to improving the lives of families and children who have loved ones in the criminal justice system. | | DMHAS Mental Health Bed Website | A new project listing open beds, including 45 state-operated and private non-profit agencies, covering six types of programs and more than 1700 beds. Programs will be updating this site when there is a change in availability and at least weekly. | | |
VETERAN PEER SUPPORT SERVICES
Peer support services help Veterans who are using mental health treatment services in VHA. Any Veteran can have mental health problems, trouble with addictions, or other related problems. These can all negatively affect their daily living and personal wellness. Peer Specialists are employees who are Veterans. They have personally experienced similar life challenges to the Veterans who are using mental health services in VHA.
| | Eating Disorder Support Lines | | | | |
Looking for Shelter? Call 2-1-1 Press 3, then 1 to speak with a housing specialist.
As of 11/17/2014 all requests for shelter beds must be made through 2-1-1
Safelink users call 1-800-203-1234
| | Thanks for reading, and see you next month! | | |
2075 Silas Deane Highway
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Office Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
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CREATIVITY PUZZLE Remote Association Test
ANSWER: Game, Drop, Base| Ball
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