Dear friends,

Hope, joy, happiness…these are words people use to describe what life in recovery is like for them. Contrary to what many people may fear – that without drugs, alcohol, and other substances, life will be gray and bleak – the opposite is true. In this newsletter, you will see glimpses into the many ways that people are celebrating life in recovery.   
For example, this month, recovery communities are celebrating Pride all over Maine. In Portland, PRCC will host the first ever chem-free area at the Pride Festival, complete with “mocktails” provided by Petite Jacqueline restaurant and a special PRCC Mocktail. As summer brings gorgeous weather, events like YPR’s cornhole tournament, softball games, and karaoke have young and old coming out to enjoy time sharing food, play, singing, and gathering together. Art and music are ways we express and encourage one another to find our voice – sometimes literally.  

Recovery community centers are managed and governed by people in recovery. We find purpose, meaning, and great joy in supporting people in finding their own pathways to freedom. Just like individuals work hard for their recovery, our centers work hard to build the recovery movement and provide opportunities to others. Community and connections come through support groups and activities that are initiated, planned, and held by the participants and members of our centers. Staff, usually people in recovery themselves, simply support the effort, and provide resources and encouragement to help make it happen. 
Make no mistake, finding and sustaining recovery is hard work, and it takes a loving community of people who have been there and done it to support newcomers; people seeking help to find their way out of darkness. But, the rewards are beyond what anyone can imagine: a large life filled with friends, creativity, joy, and purpose. The rewards are limitless. 

All over Maine, recovery communities are growing and building their presence with recovery community centers to make recovery possible to all who are hoping for a better life. I hope you enjoy seeing a glimpse into the work and joy of building recovery community in Maine. 
 
Kindly,
 
Leslie Clark, Executive Director
Pride 2022 in Recovery: What You Need to Know
June is Pride Month, an annual event to honor the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Americans.

According to the Recovery Research Institute, the queer community is disproportionately affected by substance use disorder and other addictions (see here, here, and here for more information). Because of this, it is especially important for LGBTQIA+ people in recovery to have options to safely participate in Pride, so that they can honor all parts of their identities.

Please see below for information on recovery community centers throughout Maine that are participating in local Pride events. If there is not an event near you, and you still wish to participate, check out this article on 6 Ways to Participate in Pride for People Who are Queer and Sober.
Recovery-Friendly Pride Events in Maine


Many more events are happening throughout Maine! To learn more and find an event near you, visit the OUT Maine website.
Maine Recovery Community Centers on Retreat
Last week, fifteen of Maine’s recovery community centers were represented at the Black Bear Inn in Orono at the annual statewide retreat hosted by PRCC's Recovery Hub.

Traveling from all over the state, this group came together to learn, collaborate, and create a vision for growing Maine's recovery movement to the next level.

The retreat led with a presentation by recovery advocate Deb Dettor about the history of recovery community organizations in New England and Maine specifically. On the second day, Carol Kelly of Pivot Point Inc. facilitated a visioning workshop on how the recovery community centers as a network can advocate for and build recovery-ready communities throughout Maine.

In addition, artist in recovery Glenn Simpson shared about the Puzzle Project, portions of which will now permanently live at each of the recovery community centers of Maine, tying us all together as a network.

Maine’s recovery history is rich, and together, this network of recovery community centers is building on a strong foundation to spread hope, joy, and possibilities for people throughout the state.
Pictured above: Recovery community center staff members decorating puzzle pieces for the Puzzle Project
Pictured top right: Deb Dettor presents on history of recovery community organizations
Pictured bottom right: Tracy Crossman (INSPIRE Recovery Center), Nancy Cormier (PRCC), Justin Reid (PRCC), Stacie Holton (Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope)
MARR + PRCC Host Recovery Residence Event
On Friday May 13, Maine Association of Recovery Residences (MARR) and PRCC co-hosted an event to discuss LD964 and what it means for recovery housing.

The event saw over 50 participants and included tours of PRCC and MARR's new offices, as well as a catered lunch, and concluded with a virtual lecture by Dr. Corrie Vilsaint Ph.D. titled "Recovery Housing and Recovery Community Centers: Who benefits? How do we know?".
"We were thrilled to partner with the PRCC for our May 13th event, and so grateful to have the space of a recovery community center to come together," said Brittany Reichman, MARR Program Manager. "In the world of recovery residences, there have been so many changes, and so much progress and it is important to share that information. Recovery residences are now being seen as part of the continuum of care and it is so important that they are run safely and ethically. We hope that the event was a great day of networking, and the uncertified operators who attended were able to see some of the benefits of MARR certification.”
 
PRCC is grateful to MARR staff, recovery residence owners, community members, and District Attorney Jonathan Sahrbeck for making this such a meaningful and informative event.

For more information on the work that MARR is doing for Maine's recovery community, please visit their website.
Coaching Corner — 2022 Multiple Pathways of Recovery Conference
Last month, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and The Phoenix hosted their annual Multiple Pathways of Recovery Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.

The goal of the conference is to bring people together from all over the country to focus, discuss and learn about recovery from a diverse array of recovery leaders. This year's presenters included Don Coyhis (White Bison, Inc.), Haner Hernandez (New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center), Phil Valentine (CCAR), Jacki Hillios (The Phoenix), Laurie Johnson-Wade (Lost Dreams Awakening), and many more.
"It was a motivational experience to hear about all of the great recovery work that is being done around the country," said Justin Reid, Recovery Coach Coordinator for PRCC's Recovery Hub. "Hearing from Don Coyhis was truly an inspiration and an honor. No matter how long I have been involved with recovery coaching, the conference was a reminder that there are always more pathways of recovery to learn about and new pathways forming on a regular basis."

Pictured at right: Justin Reid (PRCC) and Don Coyhis (White Bison Inc.)
Pathway$ — Overcoming the Checking Account Challenge
Regaining financial control of one’s life is an important part of a person’s recovery journey.
 
One of the first steps to financial recovery is to open a new checking account. However, this can be easier said than done.

Before opening a new account for someone, many financial institutions will assess a person’s risk by running their name and social security number through a credit reporting agency data base like ChexSystems or Early Warning Services. In fact, 80% of banks or credit unions use such a system to screen applicants for checking and savings accounts. These systems track activity related to closed checking, savings, and other deposit accounts. If a person owes money to a financial institution, they may be denied the new account. This makes it hard for someone to get a fresh start to rebuild their financial life.
 
Finding a financial institution that doesn’t use the ChexSystems or Early Warning Services to decide if someone is a “good risk” for an account is a better option than relying on costly prepaid debit cards or payday lenders. Look for a financial institution that offers “second chance” accounts or doesn’t use these credit reporting services. Sites like creditmashup.com and letmebank.com provide lists of credit unions and banks in Maine that do not use ChexSystems or Early Warning Services.
 
If you would like to talk with someone at Town & Country FCU about opening a checking account or other financial questions you may have, contact them at info@tcfcu.com.
Upcoming Events in Maine
Maine Recovery Advocacy Project (ME-RAP) and PRCC are co-hosting a listening session at the PRCC on Tuesday June 14 at 6pm, and you're invited! This is the first in a series of listening sessions across Maine that will inform ME-RAP's platform to address the most pressing needs. This platform will guide their work in the next legislative session. Come make your voice be heard in-person or on Zoom - register here.
Mobilize Recovery is an annual event to learn innovative strategies & tactics for grassroots organizing & recovery solutions. Mobilize Recovery 2022 will be held as an interactive virtual experience. Register by June 30 to attend solo or at a recovery community center!
Governor Mills' 4th Annual Opioid Response Summit is July 11, 2022 in Bangor, ME. 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