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Kingdom Recovery Center, Past, Present and Future
written [from the heart] by Nancy Bassett
As a founding member, Director/Coordinator for ten years, ongoing volunteer and present board member of the Kingdom Recovery Center, the center has been part of my life since the planning stages
20 years ago.
When KRC opened 19 years ago, we were an early member of Vermont’s Recovery Center Pilot Program, the first in the United States. And just as important, we were located in the Birthplace and Childhood Home of Dr. Bob. It was an exciting beginning!
Throughout the years I have seen so much happen with increased funding, educational opportunities, trainings and new programs that included the start of Recovery Coaching at KRC. Events that include
holiday dinners, camping trips, the annual September Recovery Month Spaghetti Dinner, the Recovery Walk and traveling to other recovery events across the state began. It makes me really happy to see that these events have become a tradition, something that I know that I will be able to take part in every year.
I have also been seeing wonderful new programs emerge. The Parenting in Recovery Program is offering so much to parents that are not only focusing on being good parents, plus their personal
recovery, and life itself! Another newer program to KRC is the Emergency Department Recovery Coach Program. Trained recovery coaches are on call, ready to be available when a person enters the ED with substance use issues and may be ready to listen to a peer that can offer treatment and recovery opportunities that are available.
For over a month, I have been at the recovery center on Fridays, being able to talk to the staff, the volunteers and the people that come through the doors seeking friendship, fellowship, resources and support. There was a holiday dinner one day and a taco lunch on another, but what thrilled me was that one particular volunteer comes in to make lunch for everyone there on Fridays that he doesn’t have to work. We all savored the seafood casserole that he made! Another volunteer comes in on Fridays to man the reception desk and phone and I’m really impressed with how well she’s doing. Plus, how well she straightens up and cleans up the center before closing at 2:00. A board member has volunteered to be available at the center on Mondays, as I have been doing on Fridays. This kind of volunteerism shows me just how much KRC means to them!
I am seeing familiar faces, but I am also seeing new faces. Some old faces are returning and there is excitement in the air. There is talk about what we can do as the weather improves, how to become a part of the community that we live in. There are new classes, events, programs and trainings that they would like to see. Ways to gain funding has also been discussed. Some not only want to attend them, but many are offering to help teach what they know. Everyone wants to be a part of. Good health and mindfulness is another focus. Plus, local businesses and organizations are becoming more involved. There are so many increased opportunities.
A new initiative, Coffee Connections and Morning Reflections is from 8:30-10:00 every weekday morning. There are great discussions and many ideas are tossed around. I love sitting in on these discussions!
Kingdom Recovery Center is moving forward at a fast rate. I invite you all to come in and be a part of Kingdom Recovery Center 2023.
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