May 29, 2019
SOS RCO Participating in Harbor Homes Recovery Corps Program
To expand its capacity to provide peer recovery supports, SOS Recovery Community Organization (SOS RCO) is taking part in Harbor Homes Recovery Corps, an AmeriCorps program targeting the state’s opioid epidemic.
Recognizing that the nation is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, the Corporation for National Community Services (CNCS) has invested more than $27 million in opioid and substance misuse related projects across the nation including New Hampshire. Through its partnership with CNCS, Harbor Homes is working with organizations in New Hampshire like SOS to train individuals to help people navigate any barriers to treatment and recovery by connecting them to supportive services.
“Harbor Homes is so excited to see many Recovery Community Organizations joining Recovery Corps (Americorps). Statewide we anticipate having 20 members who will be serving as Recovery Coaches and receiving their Certified Recovery Support Worker credential at the end of their service,” says Cheryle Pacapelli, project director at Harbor Homes. “This program is another step in expanding the capacity at Recovery Community Centers across the state.”
John Burns, director of SOS RCO says he is also excited to be a part of the Recovery Corps program.
“We are grateful to be part of a program that provides another avenue to help address the shortage of trained recovery support workers in New Hampshire while at the same time helping individuals receive the training they need toward establishing a new career in this area,” says John Burns, director of SOS RCO.
SOS now has two Recovery Corps members, Tyler Lunday who will be training at the Dover SOS Recovery Community Center and Josh Colwell, who will be training at the Rochester SOS Center.
Both Lunday and Colwell, who are in recovery themselves will receive the on-the-job training and supervision they need to become Certified Recovery Support Workers. At the end of their year-long training, they will be eligible to take the test for their certification. Upon completion of the program, Recovery Corps members are also eligible for financial educational credits they can use to pay off existing student loads or put toward furthering their education. Some colleges also offer discounted tuition for people who have served in AmeriCorps.
“Having the opportunity to participate in a program like this is something I would never have dreamed about in my past,” says Lunday. “Through recovery I have found a career path that is important to me as it provides me the opportunity to give back to others seeking recovery and my community>”
Colwell is also excited about being a part of the program.
“Being a part of Recovery Corps seems like the perfect opportunity for me to expand my education and training in the recovery field.” says Colwell. “As someone in recovery myself, I am super excited and feel very fortunate to be a part of this program at SOS. It has given me a new sense of purpose."
A program of Greater Seacoast Community Health, the mission of SOS RCO is to reduce stigma and harm associated with substance misuse by providing safe space and peer based supports for people in all stages of recovery. For more information or help, go to www.SOSRCO.org or call 603-841-2350.
To expand its capacity to provide peer recovery supports, SOS Recovery Community Organization (SOS RCO) is taking part in Harbor Homes Recovery Corps, an AmeriCorps program targeting the state’s opioid epidemic.
Recognizing that the nation is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, the Corporation for National Community Services (CNCS) has invested more than $27 million in opioid and substance misuse related projects across the nation including New Hampshire. Through its partnership with CNCS, Harbor Homes is working with organizations in New Hampshire like SOS to train individuals to help people navigate any barriers to treatment and recovery by connecting them to supportive services.
“Harbor Homes is so excited to see many Recovery Community Organizations joining Recovery Corps (Americorps). Statewide we anticipate having 20 members who will be serving as Recovery Coaches and receiving their Certified Recovery Support Worker credential at the end of their service,” says Cheryle Pacapelli, project director at Harbor Homes. “This program is another step in expanding the capacity at Recovery Community Centers across the state.”
John Burns, director of SOS RCO says he is also excited to be a part of the Recovery Corps program.
“We are grateful to be part of a program that provides another avenue to help address the shortage of trained recovery support workers in New Hampshire while at the same time helping individuals receive the training they need toward establishing a new career in this area,” says John Burns, director of SOS RCO.
SOS now has two Recovery Corps members, Tyler Lunday who will be training at the Dover SOS Recovery Community Center and Josh Colwell, who will be training at the Rochester SOS Center.
Both Lunday and Colwell, who are in recovery themselves will receive the on-the-job training and supervision they need to become Certified Recovery Support Workers. At the end of their year-long training, they will be eligible to take the test for their certification. Upon completion of the program, Recovery Corps members are also eligible for financial educational credits they can use to pay off existing student loads or put toward furthering their education. Some colleges also offer discounted tuition for people who have served in AmeriCorps.
“Having the opportunity to participate in a program like this is something I would never have dreamed about in my past,” says Lunday. “Through recovery I have found a career path that is important to me as it provides me the opportunity to give back to others seeking recovery and my community>”
Colwell is also excited about being a part of the program.
“Being a part of Recovery Corps seems like the perfect opportunity for me to expand my education and training in the recovery field.” says Colwell. “As someone in recovery myself, I am super excited and feel very fortunate to be a part of this program at SOS. It has given me a new sense of purpose."
A program of Greater Seacoast Community Health, the mission of SOS RCO is to reduce stigma and harm associated with substance misuse by providing safe space and peer based supports for people in all stages of recovery. For more information or help, go to www.SOSRCO.org or call 603-841-2350.
Contact:
Rene Philpott
rphilpott@goodwinch.org, (603) 841-0996
