Sharing the good news of growth in Maine's recovery community.

Dear friends, 
 
As I look back on 2021 and the growth of recovery communities throughout the state, I am in awe of how much is being accomplished to bring hope and recovery to thousands of people. 
In this newsletter, you will see by the numbers how much recovery is growing in Maine. With seventeen recovery community centers open in the last three years, through legislative action and support from the Governor’s Office, almost every county is on the way to having at least one recovery community center. In Portland, PRCC moved to a larger building to be able to safely serve twice as many people and expand our work, which is more important now than ever in the face of two public health crises – the pandemic and the opioid crisis.
 
Much of our work happens quietly – behind closed doors, on zoom calls, and in confidential or anonymous relationships. Trainings for recovery coaches happens in small, experiential, intensive sessions. We serve in jails, correctional facilities, treatment centers, and hospitals. We hold back on shouting out all the accomplishments because we value humility, we appreciate that the hardest work is being done by the people changing their own lives, and we believe in keeping pride and ego out of what we do. 
In recent years, as more and more of us “recover out loud,” the simple, essential motive is to bring hope to others and the eliminate the stigma of addiction. We are moved by every story of recovery, and heart broken by every loss to the disease. Whether it is alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, or other types of addiction, recovery community centers offer a place to find hope and healing among people who have recovered and are helping others. In my own advocacy and recovery work, I value humility and try to balance the public nature of my position and the preciousness of my own long-term recovery. And yet, every opportunity to share with others is an opportunity to remind them that every person is capable, deserving and worthy of a life of wholeness, happiness, and freedom.  
 
I hope that you will enjoy reading about some of the year’s growth, and find inspiration. All over the state, people in recovery are working hard to bring resources to those in need, change the system, and help others. We do this work together, and we are excited to share the accomplishments.

So, whoever you are, whether you’re in recovery, or you have friends and family in recovery, or you’re simply someone who supports this growing movement that is radically changing people’s lives – we are grateful to have you with us on our journey that is, in many ways, just beginning.

With gratitude,

Leslie Clark, Executive Director
Black History Month 2022: Black Health & Wellness
February is Black History Month, and the 2022 theme is Black Health & Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.

In the recovery movement, numerous African American individuals have made and are making a difference in supporting recovery from substance use disorder. This includes celebrities who are vocal about recovery (e.g., Whoopi Goldberg, Mary J. Blige, Samuel L. Jackson), activists who have promoted recovery (e.g., Malcolm X, Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington), and community leaders who have made significant contributions to recovery research and support groups (e.g., Calvin Trent, Lula A. Beatty, Joe McQuany).

This month, and every month, PRCC honors the many black and brown individuals who are working to spread the hope of recovery by amplifying their voices and stories within our community. Follow PRCC's Facebook page to see Black History Month Recovery Hero Spotlights throughout February, and learn more about Black Health & Wellness through the Association of African American Life & History (ASALH) 2022 Theme Materials compilation.
Supporting Recovery Legislature with ME-RAP
The 2nd session of the 130th Maine Legislature has begun! Maine Recovery Advocacy Project (ME-RAP) has been working hard with community advocates to share information about bills relevant to the recovery community. This session, bills include:

  • LD 1862: An Act to Strengthen Maine’s Good Sam Laws Concerning Drug-Related Medical Assistance (Sponsored by Senator Chloe Maxmin)
  • LD 1175: An Act To Prohibit Excessive Telephone, Video and Commissary Charges in Maine Jails and Prisons (Sponsored by Representative MaryAnne Kinney)
  • LD 1722: An Act To Ensure Access to All Paths to Recovery for Persons Affected by Opioids Using Money Obtained through Litigation against Opioid Manufacturers (Representative Charlotte Warren)

Contact your legislators to let them know why you support or oppose a proposed bill!
Find your senator/representative by visiting the Find Your Legislator website.

Looking to learn more? ME-RAP is hosting a series of events to help community members learn more about recovery-friendly bills. Find out more by visiting the ME-RAP Facebook Page.
PRCC Celebrates ARRC, Maine's 17th Recovery Community Center!
The Augusta Recovery Reentry Center (ARRC) has opened as Maine's 17th recovery community center.

What began as an idea last year to serve the recovery community in Maine's capital quickly became a collaboration between Maine Recovery Advocacy Project (ME-RAP), Maine Prisoner Reentry Network (MPRN) and Young People in Recovery (YPR) - Augusta. Now with a building, staff, and volunteers, ARRC is open for service.

"ARRC is not just one group of people," said Brandon Tobey, Director of Operations. "It's multiple organizations coming together with the same purpose: to build unity within the community. We're here to knock down barriers and silos of people doing different things. We're all in recovery and we all should be working together."

Since starting to "build the ARRC" in October, the center has seen a tremendous amount of growth. With 2 full time staff, 32 volunteers, and a current average of over 600 hours of community service, ARRC is in the middle of an exciting launch.
"The people who have come together to make this happen, not just the organizations but the volunteers too, has blown me away," says Kelli Johnson, Director of Administration. "From where we were in October to where we are now is astonishing, and really it's because all of us have come together to do this."

The leadership of ARRC reflects the values and mission of the organization. Both Brandon and Kelli are people in long-term recovery who were formerly incarcerated. Among the reentry supports will be a Recovery from Incarceration Support Group, as well as further collaborations with MPRN.

ARRC will be having a Grand Opening event on Saturday March 5. Follow ARRC on Facebook to stay up to date on their latest activity.

"Stay tuned," said Brandon. "We're going to do some ground-breaking stuff here and we're excited to be apart of the community!"
Coaching Corner: Get Trained, Get Registered, Get Certified
Are you interested in becoming a recovery coach, or learning more about recovery as a community member or ally?

PRCC offers CCAR (Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery) certified Recovery Coach Academy classes throughout the state of Maine for Maine residents. PRCC Recovery Coaches honor multiple pathways, meet and support each individual on their recovery journey. Learn about recovery coaching here.

If you are already a trained recovery coach, be sure to check out the new Maine Recovery Coach Certification Board (MRCCB) website. The MRCCB website has all of the details on how to become a Registered or Certified Peer Recovery Coach, view credentials, find training resources and more.

April, May, June Virtual Trainings — Registration open now!

  • Recovery Coaching Basics: For community members and allies.
  • April 29, 9:30am-4pm online via Zoom. Register here.

  • Recovery Coach Academy: For people wanting to become a recovery coach.
  • April 4-8, 10:00am-2:30pm online via Zoom. Register here.

  • Ethical Considerations: For trained CCAR recovery coaches.
  • May 4-6, Day 1 & 2 9:00am-4:00pm, Day 3 9:00am-1:00pm online via Zoom. Register here.
  • June 15-17, Day 1 & 2 9:00am-4:00pm, Day 3 9:00am-1:00pm online via Zoom. Register here.

  • Recovery Coaching in the Emergency Department: For trained CCAR recovery coaches.
  • May 19-20, 9:00-4:00pm online via Zoom. Register here.

  • Coachervision: For CCAR trained coaches who will supervise recovery coaches.
  • June 30-July 1, 9:00am-4:00pm online via Zoom. Register here.

Ready to plan ahead for the summer and fall?  View the 2022 Trainings Calendar here.
Stay Up to Date on Recovery Research & News
Each month, PRCC puts together a playlist of 5 news and research articles, on a national and local scale, to give you the latest in recovery news. If you'd like to submit an article, please contact lily@portlandrecovery.org.
Virtual Meetings List in Maine
Need a meeting from the comfort of your home? PRCC keeps an up-to-date list of all virtual meetings and groups offered by recovery community centers in Maine. These meetings are open, and include multiple pathways — including 12 Step, SMART Recovery, All Recovery, Family Support, Wellbriety, Yoga, and more. Check out the list of virtual meetings here.
Upcoming Recovery Events Statewide
Seminar 6 of Governor Mills's virtual Opioid Response Seminar Series is Friday February 4. Learn more here.
Augusta Recovery Reentry Center (ARCC) is hosting a Grand Opening on March 5. Learn more here.
Maine Resilience Building Network is hosting a virtual training on March 30. Learn more here.
Upcoming Recovery Events with PRCC
Eight Limbs Community Yoga is teaching a 12 Step yoga series at PRCC starting Feb. 8. Learn more.
PRCC is hosting a Narcan training open to the public on Wednesday Feb. 9. Learn more here.
Portland-local musician Wayne Morphew is playing a free concert at PRCC Feb. 10! Learn more here.
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.
PORTLAND RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTER portlandrecovery.org