Submitted by Centerstone
About 80 people gathered at the newly opened Richmond Recovery Engagement Center for an open house on September 1. Centerstone Director of Addiction and Forensic Services Linda Grove-Paul spoke of the impact of substance abuse in the community and the goal of the center to meet people where they are as well as meet needs in ways that weren’t available before its start.
“The impact of substance abuse on the community is great. Its cost to the community is great. But programs like this represent cost savings and show the importance of investing in the community to improve the situation,” she said. “This Recovery Engagement Center is a place for those who are in recovery and care about recovery to come together.”
Indiana Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Representative Jennifer Filmore spoke about the unique approach Centerstone’s recovery engagement centers have taken. “About 80 percent of incarcerated individuals have a substance abuse issue. About 97 percent of inmates are released back into the community.
Centers like this build dignity, self-respect and hope for these individuals. Nationally these kinds of centers have been utilized with success in urban communities. These (in Bloomington and Richmond) are the first in more rural communities,” said Filmore.
Centerstone Substance Abuse Therapist and Indiana Substance Abuse Counselors Association Counselor of the Year Ray O’Donnell spoke of his hopes for the center. “People don’t understand that the nature of this disease is to relapse. Many people don’t have the resources to build hope and maintain sobriety. I know I am excited about what this can do. We can walk down the hall to show someone where to get help – a job, a home – I’ve never been in that position before,” said O’Donnell.
The Richmond Recovery Engagement Center opened August 1, 2011 and is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed to continue to grow services. Orientation for volunteers is offered on the third Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 pm.
The Recovery Engagement Center is located at 200 North 13th Street in Richmond.
For more information call 765-983-8601 or 8602.
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