By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough-Peers helping peers continues to be a winning concept as individuals suffering from substance use disorders participate in daily activities, support, and educational groups at the Recovery Connection where recovery is envisioned as a whole body experience, and a new way of life.
The center emphasizes that building healthy relationships and giving back to others is the corner stone in the foundation of that new way of life. In an effort to empower individuals and support skill development all staff members are working closely with members who co-facilitate a variety of workshops each month.
Peer Coordinator Victor Holbrook recently led a series of workshops, which were co-facilitated by lead volunteer Ruth Labonte. Each workshop was designed to improve relationship dynamics. The first, a workshop on assertiveness, provided an opportunity for peers to learn how to express themselves in a manner that is respectful to both the speaker and the receiver.
The second, a workshop on reflective listening, was an opportunity to become aware of listening skills.
“We are teaching peers how to listen effectively and attentively, using their entire body, encouraging them to be fully aware of what they are hearing,” said Holbrook. “The whole body listening approach includes listening with our eyes, looking at the person talking, caring about what the other person is saying.”
“Together, staff and peers work daily to assist individuals in accessing community resources, detoxification, long-term treatment programs, employment opportunities, housing referrals, educational opportunities and options regarding individual pathways to recovery,” said Program Director Angela Dalessio. “In the past seven years that we have been providing recovery support we have learned that these are all essential elements in the building of a new life.”
Due to the increasing number of young people suffering from addiction, the Recovery Connection is developing a community outreach program to appeal to those in the Metrowest area who are 18 to 24 years of age. Anyone willing to volunteer their time to help with the project may call the center, 508-485-0298 and speak to peer coordinators Holbrook, Brandon Tupper or Kelly Averill.
More than 100 diverse members are served monthly through the support offered at the 31 Main St. Marlborough location. Also available are 12-step recovery meetings, recreational activities, such as yoga, meditation, arts and crafts, and movies. Activities and support continually change based on the needs and desires of members. The Recovery Connection, hosted by Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., is one of ten Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) recovery support centers in Massachusetts.