Dear Friends,
The recovery community is celebrating in many ways and many places in June. People from all over the state came to rally at the Hall of Flags on June 14. The purpose was to educate lawmakers about the vital role of Recovery Community Centers and advocate for the passage of LD 1714, which would use recreational cannabis sales tax revenue to fund recovery community centers. It only makes sense. We gather to show that recovery is possible when people have the right supports.
YPR held its second annual statewide cornhole tournament at PRCC last weekend. Over 125 people came and enjoyed food, friendly competition, and lots of laughter. We gather to show that recovery is fun and joyful.
Gay Pride is being celebrated by centers throughout Maine. The largest festival is in Portland on Saturday June 17. PRCC will host our second annual Chem-Free Canopy with mocktails, being provided by Owl and Elm in Yarmouth. There will be tie-dying T-shirts and lots of fun for the whole family. Our LGBTQIA+ Committee at PRCC has been working hard to put together a great event. Thanks to the committee and to all the volunteers who make this possible. We gather to celebrate a large and inclusive community where everyone is welcome.
We celebrate Father’s Day in June and especially all the fathers in recovery who are now, because of recovery able to be wonderful and present dads. It’s beautiful to see the generational cycle of addiction being broken and families restored to happy, safe, and peaceful homes. We gather to support one another in parenting and to help the next generation.
I am so grateful that summer is here, with picnics and celebrations and being together with my recovery family and friends. I am so grateful for all the people who support PRCC and their local recovery community centers. I am so grateful to be in recovery. I am so grateful for all the volunteers and people who host meetings at PRCC. Together, we are all dedicated to one mission - helping the next person who comes looking for help and spreading hope.
Thank you for being a part of PRCC. Happy June!
Kindly,
Leslie Clark, Executive Director
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Happy Father's Day!
Today and every day, we honor fathers and the important role they play in their children’s lives.
PRCC offers a meeting, Fathers in Recovery, for dads to share their experiences of fatherhood and connect with other dads in recovery. The focus of the meeting is to encourage and support personal growth by taking responsibility for the role fathers play in their children’s lives.
“Being a father in recovery on Father's Day is just another day of the vocation we have been given as fathers, to share in the gift of our children’s lives,” said Dillon B., a member of the Fathers in Recovery group at PRCC.
The meeting is held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Mondays at PRCC, 102 Bishop St. in Portland.
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Happy Father's Day to these men, who shared their thoughts on what it means to be in recovery on Father's Day.
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“Being a father in recovery is everything to me. Creating a family was something I had given up on for much of my 20's. As a direct result of recovery, a beautiful family has been created. I am able to consistently show up, demonstrate stability, remain calm and grounded (most of the time), and provide an example of love and healthy communication for our daughter. God has offered me boundless grace and love and now I get to extend that love to my daughter. Each and every day, she is the most profound reminder of gratitude and beauty in this world.” Justin Reid, of Portland, statewide Recovery Coach Coordinator for the recovery hub at PRCC and a Recovery Coach Professional Facilitator.
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"I have been blessed with a second chance to get it right with my loved ones,” Joe, a volunteer at DownEast Recovery Support Center in Machias, said of being in recovery on Father’s Day. “It means I get to put my family first on a day they celebrate me. It means I am one of the lucky ones, who has not been killed by the selfish disease of addiction. It means more to me to be in recovery on Father's Day than words can really say.”
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“What’s most important to me is that I am fully present with my daughter, and I can enjoy every second with her.” Aaron Ryder, an Intervention Peer Support Specialist/Recovery Coach Coordinator at Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative.
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PRCC attends the National Leadership Conference for Faces and Voices of Recovery
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PRCC Executive Director Leslie Clark and Emily Davis, PRCC’s program manager, attended the National Leadership Conference for Faces and Voices of Recovery held June 4-7 in Washington, D.C.
The conference had wonderful speakers. Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, brought greetings from the White House and shared moving opening remarks. He recognized the importance of recovery supports as a huge part of the solution and that the White House has prioritized additional resources for the work we do.
A big treat was hearing Dr. Stephen Loyd speak about his journey and the work he has done since being in recovery. For those of you unfamiliar, Dr. Loyd was the doctor in Tennessee played by Michael Keaton in Hulu’s Dopesick. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend the series. He is a gifted, funny, and inspiring speaker who has dedicated his life to helping change policy, save lives from opioids and other drugs, and sharing the hope of recovery.
One of the last keynotes was Dr. Felecia Pullen, who opened and runs a Recovery Community Center in Harlem. Leslie had met Felecia through Robyn Brown-Manning, who is currently consulting with PRCC on the World Recovery Café project.
“Emily and I were blown away by both the content of her speech and her gift for presenting,” Leslie said. “I felt a little starstruck to know her personally… It was one of the best conferences that I have attended in many years, and we left filled with energy, hope, and enthusiasm for PRCC’s important mission and future. It was also wonderful to spend time with Emily. She is such an asset to our team and our work.”
Leslie and Emily met with staff from Senator Collins’ office, Senator King’s office, and Representative Pingree’s office. They spoke of the work PRCC is doing locally and statewide and advocated for two pieces of federal legislation and requests for funding currently in appropriations bills.
“Never has there been such strong bipartisan support for stopping the tide of the opioid epidemic and shared commitment to action,” Leslie said. “Our visits went well, and as always, I found myself as much in awe of the magnitude of the halls of Congress as the first time I ever visited.”
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Highlights from D.C. conference
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Above: Emily Davis, Patty McCarthy, CEO of Faces and Voices of Recovery, and Leslie Clark.
Left: Leslie Clark, Dr. Felecia Pullen.
Below left: L to R: Mark Lassiter, of DC Recovery Community Alliance; Anna Jones, of Oxford House; and Dr. Dietra Hawkins, of Both And Partners.
Below: Emily and Leslie with friends from Georgia.
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PRCC recognized by Bangor Savings Bank
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Portland Recovery Community Center and the Yellow Tulip Project were recognized by Bangor Savings Bank on May 11 in an event that celebrated community and connection.
PRCC was presented with a check for $5,000 for its dedication to providing support, education, resources, and advocacy for people recovering from and affected by addiction and spreading the message of hope throughout Maine and beyond.
"PRCC is grateful for Bangor Savings’ support and all they give to our community," said Leslie Clark, executive director of PRCC. "As a business leader in Maine, Bangor Savings is helping PRCC spread the message that recovery is possible for everyone.”
Bob Montgomery-Rice, president and chief executive officer of Bangor Savings Bank, said in a statement the positive impact Portland Recovery Community Center has on our community and statewide is truly outstanding.
"Bangor Savings Bank is proud and honored to support PRCC in its work to reduce stigma and provide critical resources for individuals in recovery from addiction,” Montgomery-Rice said.
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Recovery Community Centers Rally for LD 1714
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Recovery community centers and allies across the state gathered Wednesday to rally for funding for RCCs at the Hall of Flags in the Maine State House.
Advocates came together to call on the Maine Legislature to pass and fund LD 1714, an Act to Create a Sustainable Funding Source for Recovery Community Centers. Sponsored by Rep. Rana with bipartisan support, LD 1714 received a unanimous vote of support from Taxation Committee.
LD 1714 seeks to create a funding source for recovery community centers utilizing 12% of the adult-use cannabis tax revenue. This bill would provide an estimated $3 million for recovery community centers in 2024 and up to $8 million in 2027.
Leslie Clark, executive director of the Portland Recovery Community Center, spoke of the challenges in Maine’s rural communities for people in recovery or seeking recovery, who don’t have access to a RCC or the support they need to get well. Leslie shared PRCC’s vision that every community in Maine has access to a recovery community center.
“We know the need has never been greater,” Leslie said during the press conference. “You heard the statistics about the opioid epidemic. It has cost us lives, cost families, cost our communities, cost so many losses. But there's a hopeful side to this, and that is what happens in recovery community centers. There’s an entire basis of research now to support how effective these services are and what a difference they make to people here in Maine, to thousands of people, but we need more.”
Other speakers in the press conference included Kari Taylor, executive director of Western Maine Recovery Initiative and The HILLS Recovery Center; Amy Clark, a member of the Board of Directors of Bangor Area Recovery Network; Kelly Cookson, director of Save a Life Recovery Resource Center, and Sara Halsey, facility director at the Augusta Recovery Reentry Center.
To read the full story, go to PRCC.
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June is Pride month, an annual event to celebrate and honor the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals. Pride month is celebrated in recovery communities across the state.
Last year, PRCC worked closely with the Portland Pride Committee to host the first ever chem-free area at the Pride Festival.
PRCC is proud to host the 2nd annual Chem-Free Canopy at the Portland Pride Festival, held from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 17 at Deering Oaks Park in Portland.
There will be activities, including tie-dying T-shirts, laughter, and fun for the whole family.
This year, we are excited to partner with Owl & Elm in Yarmouth, who will offer their selection of mocktails at the PRCC canopy. Owl & Elm and co-owner, Alli, are huge recovery allies and we are so excited they jumped at the chance to support our community.
A special thank you to the committee and all the volunteers who make this celebration of our Pride possible.
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Join the Bangor Area Recovery Network at the Bangor Pride Parade & Festival on June 24 in Downtown Bangor.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. Participants should meet at 8:45 a.m. on June 24 at BARN, 142 Center St. in Brewer. The festival runs from Noon to 4 p.m.
BARN also offers a virtual meeting, All pathways, LBGTQIA+ and allies from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Zoom ID: is 881 9822 7801. For more info, call 207-561-9444.
INSPIRE Recovery Center participated in the Ellsworth Pride Festival on June 11 at Knowlton Community Park.
The event included live music, yoga, speakers, a drag show, and food vendors.
Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope, 106 Main St. in Houlton, is having a cookout from noon to 2 p.m. on June 16 in celebration of Pride Month.
Everyone is welcome! For more info, call 207-254-2213.
DAA Queers meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at Portland Recovery Community Center, 102 Bishop St. in Portland.
DAA is a 12-step based group for queers in recovery from drug addiction. For more info, call 207-553-2575.
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YPR-Portland holds 2nd annual Cornhole Tournament
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YPR-Portland extends a big thank you to everyone who came out on a cold and rainy day to participate in the 2nd annual Cornhole Tournament.
Thirty-two teams competed in an afternoon filled with fun, laughter, and fellowship. Congratulations to the winner, 2Legit2Quit. Second place honors went to Not Your Average Joes.
A special shoutout to all the volunteers, who helped to make it such an awesome day. Thank you to all the sponsoring organizations: Casco Bay Recovery, Liberty Bay Recovery Center, Pine Tree Recovery Center, The Landing Recovery Home, Forest Street Carpentry, The Heron House, Soul Sanctuary, Awen, Clearbrook Treatment Centers, and Northern Mortgage.
The tournament is one of several events held this year by YPR-Portland to raise awareness about Young People in Recovery, a national organization dedicated to helping young people in recovery or seeking recovery. YPR-Portland offers alternative peer groups, life-skills workshops, recovery meetings, and pro-social activities including Legislative advocacy.
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Upcoming Events:
Recovery Film Festival | Annual Walk into Recovery
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PRCC is sponsoring the first annual New England Reel Recovery Film Festival from June 23 to June 25 at USM Hannaford Hall.
The festival, hosted by the Maine Association for Recovery Residences (MARR), will include a weekend of recovery features, short films, and fun. All funds will be used to support MARR’s Bed Scholarship Fund, which assists individuals with the first month’s rent in a MARR certified house.
Organizers are looking for volunteers and will be offered free admission to the festival. To sign up for a ‘volunteer spot,’ click the link: NERRFF VOLUNTEERS - Google Sheets.
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Save a Life Recovery Resource Center and Pir2Peer Recovery Center are co-hosting the 3rd Annual Walk into Recovery from 5 to 7 p.m. on June 16.
Participants will meet at the Lincoln Town Gazebo at 5 p.m. and walk down Main Street. There will be free food and T-shirts, along with an opportunity to listen to great speakers share their recovery stories.
“We are walking to reduce stigma, raise awareness that there are some local resources, show solidarity within the recovery community, and provide hope to those still sick and suffering,” said Kelly Cookson, director of Save a Life Recovery Resource Center. For more information, check out salrecoverynetwork.org.
Larry Labonte Recovery Center is holding a 14-hole Disc Golf Tournament starting at 10 a.m. June 24 at Mountain Valley High School, 755 Hancock St.
The entry fee is $20 per player, and three person teams will complete. Lunch will be provided.
To register, call 207-418-4983.
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PRCC is pleased to offer a virtual Professional Recovery Coaching Webinar for recovery coaches and employers from 10 to 11 a.m. June 28 at 102 Bishop St. in Portland.
Participants will learn about the benefits of Peer Recovery Coach registration and certification. People will learn about Coachervision and the differences between Coachervision and clinician supervision.
Thank you to the Maine Alliance for Recovery Coaching, a project of Healthy Acadia, for sponsoring this webinar.
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Coastal Recovery Community Center to hold special event for Father's Day.
Coastal Recovery Community Center presents, Donuts with Recovery Dads, from 10 a.m. to noon on June 17 at 11 White St. in Rockland.
People are invited to bring a dad, uncle, grandfather, or male role model to the center.
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Portland Recovery Community Center is teaming up with Town and Country FCU to help members with their finances. Brittany Eaton and Lyndsey Laskey from TCFCU will be available from 1 to 2 p.m. on June 16 at PRCC to answer any questions you may have.
Brittany and Lyndsey will talk one-on-one with PRCC members about their personal finances and answer questions about budgets, dealing with debt, rebuilding credit, and how to open bank accounts, etc. For more info, call 207-553-2575.
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RCCs offering FREE Nutrition and Wellness Programs
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Bangor Area Recovery Network, 142 Center St. in Brewer, has teamed up with Maine SNAP-Ed to offer FREE cooking classes for adults. The six-part series teaches healthy eating habits, basic cooking skills, food shopping, and budgeting. Space is limited and registration is necessary. To sign up, call (207) 992-4463.
Costal Recovery Community Center, 11 White St. in Rockland, is offering FREE nutrition education classes designed to teach healthy eating and cooking skills.
Choose MyPlate, a lesson on grains & proteins, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. June 20 at the center. Eating Better on a Budget, a guide to buying produce and food prep, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. June 20, also at the center. All classes will be led by Day Arnold, a nutrition educator for Maine SNAP-Ed. For more info, call (207) 691-3697
Lakes Region Recovery Center, 2 Elm St. in Bridgton, is holding an exercise class at 9 a.m. Saturdays called Choose to Move. The class is led by volunteer H. Marie.
LRRC will also have a resource table at the Bridgton Farmers Market on June 17 on Depot Street. For more info, (207) 803-8707
Take a break and relax and enjoy a Reiki session with Brandi from noon to 2 p.m. on Mondays at Portland Recovery Community Center, 102 Bishop St. in Portland. Brandi is a Level 2 Practitioner and is offering 15-minute chair sessions. To sign up, stop into PRCC or call ahead, (207) 553-2585.
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Costal Recovery Community Center, 11 White St. in Rockland, is offering a new Naranon meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays to support people impacted by a loved one’s struggle with substance use disorder.
For more information, call 207-594-2801.
Lakes Region Recovery Center is holding a new meeting, Alternatives to Suicide, which meets every other Tuesday at 2 p.m. starting June 13 at the center, 2 Elm St. in Bridgton. The meeting is facilitated by Joe, who is CIPPS trained.
The HILLS Recovery Center, 15 Tannery St. in Norway, launched a few new meetings since opening in April.
A SMART meeting is held at 5 p.m. on Mondays. A SMART meeting for women and moms is held at 10 a.m. Thursdays with zoom available.
A new Narcotics Anonymous meeting is being held at 6 p.m. on Fridays. An Al-anon meeting is held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
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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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