15th Annual Victorious & Virtual Holiday
Membership Celebration Thank You!
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Speaker Highlights
Rev. Art Gordon is a 4th generation Baptist pastor from Georgia who studied theology at BU earning his Masters in Divinity degree. The Reverend demonstrated respect for all faiths and delivered a nondenominational spiritual message. He included an uplifting call to action to end racial injustice!
Deirdre Calvert is Director of the MA Department of Public health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). She proudly announced keeping all programs open while implementing stringent COVID protections.
Tom Coderre is Regional Director for the Federal Substance Abuse, Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). He delivered a message of hope especially for the Northeast region of the nation.
Roger Oser is exemplary in his honorable and challenging job as Ostiguy Recovery High School principal. He introduced Auden, a graduate with poly substance use disorder shared her recovery path supported by a Gavin Foundation Program which led to becoming class Valedictorian.. Auden is now searching for colleges with strong recovery programs!
Dallas Clark lived a life of addiction and gun violence. He found purpose in recovery in part through MOAR. He is now proud to be a successful and productive man working to help others through Health Resources in Action (Helpline). and as a MHA Recovery Coach. Dallas exemplifies the meaning of getting involved with with MOAR.
Meghann Perry, CARC, RCP, is an innovator, educator, storyteller, teaching artist, expert facilitator and Recovery Coach, and is the creator of the powerful Recovery Storytelling workshop series. She shared a moving vignette on the power of addiction recovery. Our stories are our power!
State Legislate Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Co-Chairs, Representative Marjorie C. Decker and Senator Julian Cyr' spoke of the numerous initiatives happening to change laws so that people can find and sustain recovery during the pandemic, such as lowering restrictions on take-home MOUD doses. The victory comes with the announcement that BSAS will not face budget cuts during the deficit and programs will stay open!
Julia Ojeda is the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services’ Recovery Support Services Coordinator. She proudly shared about the now 26 peer recovery support centers with 5 new ones coming due to state legislators responding to the outcry for more! Julia added the value of having Danielle O'Brien's assistance to coordinate the centers!
Lina Abdalla has emerged as a leader in the Collegiate Recovery movement. During her undergrad studies at UMASS Boston, Lina and like-minded students founded The Greater Boston Collegiate Recovery. The idea of collegiate recovery organizations is now spreading across the area. She now has her Masters' degree. Lina spoke about her passion to make collegiate recovery programs everywhere.
Rep James O'Day from Worcester is a man in sustained recovery and great friend to MOAR. He spoke on his current passion on the licensure for recovery coaches in our state. MOAR is especially proud when he validated advocates request to include 6 recovery coaches, supervisors, or educators on the proposed Recovery Coach board!
Matt Ganem - Father, poet, author, performer, awardee, long time MOAR friend. Matt's performance of his poetry brought down the house and was a memorable part of the program.
Karran Larson--  MA Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Substance Use and Recovery Services Statewide Coordinator. Karran has been engaged in the recovery and wellness field for years. Karran spoke of the challenges facing deaf people seeking treatment and her initiative to train deaf recovery coaches. Karran is an outspoken advocate for a group facing disparities and we value her contributions!
Kateri Coyhis, White Bison Executive Director was introduced by two incredible indigenous people. Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines, Jr., is a citizen of the Nipmuc people. He serves as a cultural steward for his Tribe, is a father, public speaker and traditional dancer. Sachem Dr Larry Fisher is the presiding Council Chief Sachem of the Mattakeeset Massachusetts Indian Nation. Since 2014, Sachem Fisher has served as the ambassador delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Kateri Coyhis educated us about White Bison, an American Indian non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. She spoke about the Wellbriety Movement that provides culturally based healing to the next seven generations of Indigenous People. The crowd cried out for more Wellbriety in Massachusetts!

Debbie Flynn Gonzalez is Director of the Hope For Holyoke Peer Recovery Support Center. A strong MOAR ally, Debbie helps to promote a diverse and inclusive space. She was named an "unsung hero" by MA legislators. Debbie leads campaigns to meet the needs of persons suffering from addiction without housing. She with others wants shelters, bathroom and phone-charging stations. It is going to happen because of her leadership.

The Hope For Holyoke Puppets were at their best and had us all laughing out loud. We will post the video clip soon!
Kirsten Doherty coordinates
the SOAR project with

Peer Recovery Support Center Representatives
SOAR - A Peer Recovery Support Center Network
SOAR is a project of MOAR originally funded by SAMHSA to organize the growing number of peer recovery support centers as a statewide network. We are proud that MA DPH-BSAS has gone from funding 10 centers to 26 centers over the course of three years. It is crucial to keep these center connected to share info. SOAR provides education and technical assistance. We are grateful that SOAR is currently funded by DPH-BSAS.
Efrain Baez, Director of Stairway to Recovery in Brockton,Representing the Southeast
Kelly Averill, Assistant Program Director, Recovery Connection, Marlboro, Metrowest Region
 Gary Pratt, Program Manager, Rural Recovery Resource in Great Barrington, Western MA
 Fotios Mpouris Director of Framingham Peer Recovery Center, Metrowest
Keriann Caccavaro, Program Director, Bridge Peer Recovery, Malden, Representing the Northeast
Louray Barton, Recovery Coach, Peer Leader, STEPRox Peer Recovery Center in Boston, Boston Region
Alexa Perivolotis, Program Director of Alyssa’s Place, Gardner, in Central MA
Our Ugly SWEATER Contest Winners!
 
Individual Category: Debbie Flynn Gonzalez
 
Group Category: Hope For Holyoke Recovery Center & Springfield Recovery Center (tied)
 
To our wonderful presenters and everyone who participated, MOAR thanks you!