With the assistance of Rachel Puckett, Deputy Director at Capstone Rural Health, and The Healing Network of Walker County, a group of extraordinary women have banded together to form the Walker County Recovery Community.
These women are a group of Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) in long-term recovery, and are comprised of all different ages, backgrounds and walks of life. Though they are working for different agencies and recovery organizations in the Walker County area, they share one common goal: to promote recovery and help to bring about significant change in our community.
Paige Britton, a Certified Recovery Support Specialist with Recovery Resource Center (RCC) in Jasper reached out to The Community Journal to share details.
A “recovery community” Facebook page can be accessed online at facebook.com/groups/talkrecoverytome. Britton says the group has proven to be a valuable way to share all the resources in the community in one place, and it allows them to better coordinate and collaborate services to those in need.
There are two upcoming projects hosted by Walker County Recovery Community.
The first of these is a Memorial Walk in remembrance of those who have overdosed. The event will take place on National Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2022). Vital’s Project Freedom has teamed up with Britton at RRC along with Nikki Warren at R.O.S.S. (Recovery Organization of Support Specialist). Miss Warren has been a “great contributor to RCC’s cause,” according to Britton. She is delighted to have Warren’s involvement in this event.
According to studies completed by the Jefferson County Overdose Data to Action Regional Taskforce (OD2A), overdose rates are on the rise. For the first time ever, Walker County is seeing an increase in overdoses that exceed the area of Jefferson County and is one reason why RRC believes this event is desperately needed in our community.
The walk will begin at Recovery Resource Center at 6:30 p.m. There will be speakers, a memorial wall, naloxone training, and resource tables set up.
“We want this to be a thoughtful event,” explains Britton, “where we honor those who have passed and provide resources to assist to put an end to these tragedies”.
The second event is called Sober Fest, hosted by the Walker County Recovery Community (WCRC), on September 17th, 2022 at Jasper Oaks Pavilion at 4 p.m.
The goal of this event is to celebrate recovery. Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy music, fellowship, food trucks, games, speakers, crafts, a bounce house, and much more.
“We want to continue to make positive change, provide resources, and assist those who are struggling in our wonderful county,” says Britton.
For more information on the organization, please visit their website at www.crisiscenterbham.org and people are encouraged to visit the Walker County Recovery Community #TalkRecoveryToMe Facebook page, which will help them get connected with other CRSS from different organizations and many other resources.
