Volunteers Are the Heart of Maine's Recovery Community Centers
Dear friends,
From Caribou to Bridgton, to Calais, and Boothbay, and Portland, and Bangor - in seventeen Maine communities, recovery community centers are bringing hope and connection for individuals and families in recovery. The need for belonging is a fundamental human need. recovery community centers meet this vital need by offering a place to connect and build positive relationships.
As important as our need to belong, so is our need for purpose. For those of us in recovery, recognizing that we can help others – even in the first days or hours of our journey – offers new-found purpose as we start out, and for many years to come.
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One of the many things I love about recovery community centers is that volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. People in recovery volunteer as board members and leaders, giving countless hours to assuring the resources needed for the success of the mission. They organize, educate, advocate and stand up against stigma and discrimination. In the day-to-day of a recovery community center, volunteers are the first people to greet newcomers at the front desk. Volunteers call to check in with people in recovery through the Telephone Recovery Support (TRS) program. They start meetings. They organize activities. They serve as recovery coaches. They plant gardens, and keep the building clean and welcoming. There is no end to the ways that volunteers create, sustain, and build recovering communities.
In recovery, we strengthen our own footing on the path of recovery when we serve others. Service creates connection and purpose, and reminds us that we’re not alone. Showing up for others who depend upon us builds self-esteem. We need each other – our recovery depends on it.
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We asked several volunteers at PRCC why they volunteer, and here’s what they said:
“Volunteering makes me realize that I’m not alone in my own struggle. There’s always somebody there." –Jordan G.
“As a recovery coach, talking with recoverees about their successes and struggles has helped me stay in recovery.” –Jason C.
"For me, the best part of volunteering is being around other people in recovery." –Heather F.
Volunteering with others who have shared similar experiences creates community, magnifies hope, and provides vital support and opportunities for mutual healing. We find ourselves through our community of belonging and purpose.
I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter, full of spotlights on recovery community center volunteers throughout Maine. If you are a volunteer, this issue is for you. Thank you for everything that you do.
Warmly,
Leslie Clark, PRCC Executive Director
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MaineMOM: Spreading Hope for Pregnant Mainers & New Mothers |
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Last July, The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of the Maine Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) program, which aims to improve care for pregnant Mainers and new parents who are struggling with opioid use disorder along with their infants. There are currently 17 clinics that offer the services in Maine through the support of a peer mom recovery coach.
Services include counseling, recovery coaching, referrals, community connections, and more—all with the goal of providing safe and supportive care for pregnant Mainers and new parents.
“It has been exciting to see the expansion of peer recovery support for maternity patients through the MaineMOM initiative,” says Amanda Thompson, Peer Mom Recovery Coach at Mid Coast Hospital. “Since providing access to peer support, patients have shared that they feel hopeful and supported in both recovery and their pregnancies, which has been a beautiful thing.”
“As a mom in long-term recovery myself, I think it’s so important to walk alongside other women in what can be such a tender and also isolating moment,” says Laura Chritton, Peer Mom Recovery Coach at Portland Recovery Community Center (PRCC) and Northern Light Mercy. “I hope to spread the message that you’re not alone, and if you choose recovery, it’s a wonderful place to be, not only for you but for your child as well.”
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Recovery Health Bill of Rights — Empowering People with SUD |
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PRCC's Maine Recovery Hub team has launched a new project to address negative experiences that many people with substance use disorder (SUD) have when seeking care in medical settings. This is a well-documented problem that you can read more about here.
The project's goal is to improve these health care experiences by reducing stigma and barriers in medical settings, ultimately increasing dignified and respectful care for people with SUD.
The first phase of the project involved listening sessions, in which individuals with SUD volunteered to share about their medical care experiences. Information from these sessions is now being used to formulate Recovery Health Bill of Rights palm cards, which include a list of individual rights in receiving care, as well as resources for support. In addition to the palm cards, PRCC's team is also putting together trainings for people with SUD on how to talk to medical providers, as well as materials for medical providers on how to reduce stigma when talking to people with SUD.
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April is National Volunteer Month — Let's Celebrate! |
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The entire month of April is National Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. Volunteers are the heart of what we do as recovery community centers. This month, we are highlighting volunteers from centers throughout Maine. If you are a volunteer, thank you! We love you!
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National Takeback Day Returns This Month |
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National Takeback day is an effort led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that encourages the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction.
Takeback Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs.
With the rise in counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and/or methamphetamine across our nation, it is more critical that we work together to educate the community in the dangers of prescription medication misuse.
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Coaching Corner — What is a Recovery Coach?
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A Recovery Coach promotes recovery and removes barriers and obstacles to recovery, serving as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or already in recovery from an addiction to alcohol and or other drugs.
A Recovery Coach is not a counselor, clinician, or sponsor. A Recovery Coach's job is to support the Recoveree in meeting their own goals.
We asked some current coaches what Recovery Coaching means to them, and here's what they said:
"Recovery Coaching is a unique opportunity and privilege to help others in their recovery journey connect with resources and offer advice based on my own path through recovery. Recovery Coaching is truly making a difference in our communities." — Donald
"One of the many things that I love about being a recovery coach is the opportunity to witness a person's journey to a happier and healthier lifestyle." — Torie
"Being a Recovery Coach is such a valuable way to give back to the recovery community. By being of service in this way, coaches are able to support, and advocate, and listen to folks who really need someone to listen and support and advocate. Working with a Recovery Coach helps people in recovery identify for themselves what they want from their recovery because they are the experts in their own recovery!" — KiM
To learn more about recovery coaching, request a coach, or register for a training to become a recovery coach, visit portlandrecovery.org.
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An Evening with Journalist & Best-selling Author Sam Quinones.
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Building Recovery Community Throughout Maine
This newsletter allows us to connect with you, our Maine recovery community. Whether you're a person in recovery, family member, or ally, you are part of the solution to addiction. Published on a regular basis and sent via email, this newsletter provides updates and gives you an opportunity to help support recovery and spread the message of hope throughout the state of Maine. To learn more about PRCC, whose programs are funded in part by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, visit our website. Please send any feedback or information you'd like us to include to newsletter@portlandrecovery.org.
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PORTLAND RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER portlandrecovery.org |
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