Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.
News & Updates
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September 2021
" Life isnt about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
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September is Recovery Month! |
Families and Communities Can Make a Difference
Oftentimes, individuals who experience mental health or a substance use disorder feel isolated and alone. Yet, every year, millions of Americans experience these conditions. It’s important that we offer support to individuals facing mental health and substance use disorders. In fact, we need to create environments and relationships that promote acceptance. Family support is essential to recovery, so it’s important that family members have the tools to start conversations about prevention, treatment, and recovery. Too many people are still unaware that prevention works and that mental health and substance use disorders can be treated, just like other health problems. Individuals who embrace recovery achieve improved mental and physical health and form stronger relationships with their neighbors, family members, and peers. We need to make more people feel as though recovery is possible. Mental health and substance use disorders affect people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, geographic regions, and socioeconomic levels. They need to know that help is available. These individuals can get better, both physically and emotionally, with the support of a welcoming community. Families and communities can find hope and spread the message that recovery works by celebrating the annual Recovery Month.
~www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month
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Peer Support Specialist Rose Regan stands ready to welcome you to our new home! |
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Our large main meeting room gives plenty of space for groups, activities and socializing! |
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The new kitchen is all ready for Heath to cook some great lunches! |
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Join our Online groups!
Beginning in September, we will no longer offer the online Dealing with Loss group. There will be an Identifying Grief group in person on Fridays at 11am at CVI. We will continue to hold the online Overcoming Depression and Anxiety group on Fridays @ 4pm.
Click below to be taken directly to that group. All are welcome and you may join by computer or phone.
A peer led group with topics pertaining to overcoming Depression and Anxiety. A safe place to share your feelings, struggles and successes with others.
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"A poet is a nightingale who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds.”
— Percy Bysshe Shelley
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The chemical between us-
Oh, what sweet relief.
Enlightens the darkness
My mind once blocked
Ever thirsty for a powerful rush.
The chemical between us
Forged in love and loyalty.
Our bond is endless
It's everything I trust.
The chemical between us-
Always wanting more,
Now my daily chore
As I'm breaking, I reach for you from dawn to dusk.
The chemical between us-
Without you my limbs grow ill.
You're all I have
For everyone else is lost.
The chemical between us-
The void is gut wrenching.
As the center of my core grows hollow
You're the nectar in my veins
As you flow my pulse adjusts.
The chemical between us-
The tunnel is grim,
I only see black.
This needle glares at me with disgust.
The chemical between us-
A shell is all that remains.
Finding humanness seems impossible;
One step at a time, day by day;
This suffering is lust.
The chemical between us-
No longer the enemy.
I see your beautiful face
Building a foundation together
To turn my back on you would only be unjust.
This is the chemical between us.
~Jennifer Bridges
CVI Peer Support Specialist
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I have a unique purpose in those place and time of my life!
Be yourself no matter what.
And be string like a bull with your horns up
And throw them off your back
No matter what!
Music is bliss to my soul
Every little thing is gonna be alright.
I love people
I love helping people
I feel loss
Every day remember to be kind
Tranquility, excitement; which do I prefer?
I need them both so much while reaching out to feel things I cannot touch.
When life gives you mons, make lemonade.
It took me nearly 40 years to learn that people can only love you from the place in which they know how.
~ Selections from CVI participants
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The People's Roundtable
The People's Roundtable creates a connection between consumers and service providers so consumers know what services are available and service providers know what the consumers' needs are.
Held the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 3-4pm
Dial In option:
1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 854 6024 6082
Passcode: 058484
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In 1989, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) launched National Recovery Month to increase awareness surrounding mental health and substance abuse. At the same time, they wanted to celebrate the success stories to illustrate that living in recovery is possible. Each year, the month provides a platform for services and professionals to educate the public about substance abuse treatments and mental health services.
While substance abuse and mental health services are nothing new, the stigma attached to them remains. September provides not only an opportunity to help eliminate the stigma but to demonstrate the human face behind the disease.
Through seminars, documentaries, public service announcements, and awareness walks, communities will bring hope. These messages will include access to referrals, phone numbers, and tools. Every year, new resources, data, and treatments become available. Improving awareness and access, along with preventative education improve outcomes.
Along with education, the month celebrates those who succeed in recovery. Each success story seeks to improve understanding and provide answers to those who still have questions. Families, first responders, clergy, employers, and communities as a whole play a part in recovery and awareness. Success stories include the barriers and obstacles. And the success stories aren’t just for those living the struggle; they’re for those who help tear down the barriers.
~www.nationalcalendarmonth.com
Below are highlighted some of the events to celebrate National Recovery Month around the Midshore.
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August 31st 6:00 - 8:00pm Festival Of Hope
Talbot Goes Purple Year 5 Kick off Overdose
Awareness Day! Idlewild Park in Easton. In
addition to a Memorial and Walk of Solidarity,
there will be Live Music, Free Food, Face
Painting, Balloon Animals, Resources &
Information.
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Queen Anne's County Goes Purple! |
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September 1st 7:30 - 9:00
Kick-off Event! Centreville Town Square
The substance use awareness and prevention program empower our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. At the kick off event there will be resources, giveaways and a vigil for lost loved ones from addiction.
QAC Goes Purple (QACGP) is an initiative from the Queen Anne's County Office of the Sheriff and Queen Anne's County Drug-Free Coalition, in partnership with The Opioid Intervention Team/QAC Department of Health, Queen Anne's County Public Schools, the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce and Queen Anne's County Commissioners.
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Dorchester County's 7th Annual Recovery Works Event!
September 18th 12:00 - 4:00 pm
DRI-Dock Recovery and Wellness Center welcomes you to join them in the fight against stigma related to substance use disorder and mental health. Free Family Friendly Event, Key Note Recovery Speaker at 1:30pm, Free Food, Door Prizes, Music, Local Recovery Resources!
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Mid-Shore Going Purple Together Event! |
Mid Shore Behavioral Health is partnering with dozens of local organizations and agencies to host the second annual Going Purple Together event on Friday, September 24th from 4:00 - 6:30 pm at Idlewild Park in Easton. We look forward to bringing together community members and partners from all the mid-shore counties in a final celebration and show of solidarity around Go Purple and National Recovery Month.
This event will include a peer recognition ceremony, partnering vendor booths, a recovery art show, DJ, music, kids activities, food trucks, and speakers, including Sheriff Joe Gamble.
The purpose of Going Purple Together is to demonstrate that the mid-shore stands united against substance abuse and overdose. Together, we can educate the community about substance use prevention and available resources. Together, we will save lives, because we know that help is available and recovery is possible!
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September 25th 10:00am - 12:00pm Out of the Darkness Walk at Idlewild Park in Easton. The motto for 2021 is
Together to Fight Suicide! The American Foundation for Suicide Awareness (AFSA) brings the Out of the Darkness Community Walks to cities across the country.
These events give people the courage to open up about their own connection to the cause and a platform to create a culture that is smarter about mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other in memory of those lost to suicide.
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Are you in, or working towards, recovery from a substance use disorder or addiction? Do you have art, poetry, or photography from your journey that you'd be willing to share?
If you live on the Eastern Shore, we welcome you to submit your original pieces for the Recovery Art Show, which will be featured at The Mid-Shore Is Going Purple Together Event. We'd love to showcase your talent, creativity, and strength!
Submissions can be anonymous, if preferred. Art and poetry will be returned to the artist after the event. Please email questions and submissions to Julie Slivka at jslivka@midshorebehavioralheath.org
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Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.
Wellness and Recovery Center
607 Dutchman's Lane
Easton, MD 21601
410-822-1601
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