Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center’s Safe Recovery Program received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation. Safe Recovery is a full-time, professionally-staffed recovery center for people living with addiction to opioids. Specifically, the grant will enable the program to provide additional drug treatment options counseling sessions and increased outreach to veterans. The award comes at a crucial time as Safe Recovery has recently been forced to lay off staff, even while the demand for recovery services increases.
“We are very proud to support Howard Center and the essential work they are doing to provide drug treatment options,” said Jason Klipa Walmart Director of Public Affairs. “Through its Safe Recovery program, Howard Center is keeping individuals safe during their counseling and treatment. Their work will help save lives.”
A key component of the Safe Recovery program is recognizing the importance of keeping individuals healthy throughout their recovery process. Program Director Tom Dalton says, “For most people, the recovery process includes periods of use and non-use. Safe Recovery is a safe place for people to come to for support, even if they are currently using. Helping someone stay safe today, whether or not they are using today, is an important part of supporting their recovery.” He adds, “We engage people who are actively using and support them as they transition from active use to sustained recovery. We are an important bridge to treatment for hundreds of people every year.”
About 75 people visit Safe Recovery on an average day. Safe Recovery also distributes overdose rescue kits that contain naloxone, a nasal spray used to reverse an opioid overdose. The program has documented over 550 overdose reversals since it began distributing the kits in December 2013.