Great Barrington — Local organizations Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP), the South Berkshire Community Health Coalition, and the South County Rural Recovery Center co-sponsored a free showing of the documentary “Recovery City” at The Triplex on Wednesday, April 9.
The documentary was released last year and chronicles four women from Worcester, Mass., dealing with addiction and its impacts on their lives.
Staff members and volunteers from RSYP and the Recovery Center were on hand to talk to attendees about their addiction prevention and recovery resources.
“The documentary pertains to the demographics we are dealing with regarding addiction and recovery,” South County Recovery Center Outreach Engagement Coordinator Wolf Valentin told The Berkshire Edge. “These women in the documentary are speaking about their trials, tribulations, and their successes in recovery. I believe that people need to hear that recovery is all about success when it is applied.”
According to Valentin, the South County Recovery Center offers its services, including recovery coaching, at no cost.
“I think we could always use more community awareness of what resources are available for prevention and recovery in South County,” said Recovery Coach Lona Barney.
“Most young people don’t identify with being in recovery, but we do provide resources including peer support,” said RYSP Youth Outreach Advocate Elliot Seward. “I hope that people will find a sense of community by being at tonight’s event. We are here to give them resources and diverse perspectives on addiction and recovery. There is a whole community in South County where we all support each other.”
One of the programs at the South County Recovery Center is a Saturday open-mic night at 5:30 p.m. led by volunteer Emma Kales. “The South County Recovery Center has saved my life,” Kales said. “If it wasn’t for the South County Recovery Center and all the staff here and the funding we get from the state, I would not be standing here.”
“I just hope that everyone will realize that people are capable of change and recovery is real, no matter what the barriers or obstacles are,” said Rural Recovery Center Resources Director Gary Pratt. “There are supports out there that can help you change your life and thrive. And I cannot say enough about the Railroad Street Youth Project. If it wasn’t for them, our organization and the Recovery Center would not exist.”
“Rural Recovery Resources and the Recovery Center are things that are really needed in our community, and it’s parallel to what we do at the Railroad Street Youth Project,” RSYP Executive Director Ananda Timpane added. “One of the things that continues to be important is to give our community a connection to their needs. The RYSP has really robust prevention programs from an early age. We continue to need good treatment and support options when something isn’t working for someone, and we need strong recovery spaces that help people to thrive, which is what the Recovery Center provides. Prevention and recovery go hand and hand with each other.”
Click here for more information about the South County Recovery Center.
Click here for more information about the Railroad Street Youth Project.
Click here for more information about the South Berkshire Community Health Coalition.
