Step Into Action Recovery Walk Takes to the Streets to Celebrate Vermont’s Recovery Community
Local Event Raises Awareness of Substance Use Disorder Support Services in Vermont and Sends Message of Hope
The Step Into Action Recovery Walk, in celebration of National Recovery Month, will take to the streets of downtown Burlington on Saturday, September 23rd to help spread a message of hope to Vermonters that recovery from addiction is possible. Too often, the negative stories of substance use disorder permeate the news cycle, and the Step Into Action Recovery Walk seeks to change that by celebrating the growing recovery community in Vermont and shining a light on the resources available throughout the state. Kicking off at 10:15 am with words from keynote speaker, Jolinda LaClair, VT Director of Drug Prevention Policy, the event will draw attention to critical prevention, treatment, and recovery support services available to Vermonters, celebrate real-life examples of people in recovery and will show how as a community we can come together to create change.
Registration for the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. with speakers kicking off at 9:45 a.m. The walk will start promptly at 10:15 a.m. and will end in a celebration of recovery which includes additional speakers, a sharing of stories, and a special thanks from the Steering Committee. After the walk attendees will gather in a celebration to share resources, education, and lunch catered by Curt Duford of local favorite, Spot on the Dock. Additionally, local recovery resources will attend the event to provide education on the disease of addiction, and how Vermont is combatting this epidemic. Some of these organizations include: Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, Story Yoga, Howard Center, Turning Point Center of Newport, Vermont Foundation of Recovery, Phoenix Diagnostics, and Working Fields. .
This event would not be possible without the support of the community. “We join in the Recovery Walk each year because this event makes a difference. It is a day that brings hundreds of people together, from all walks of life with one mission: spreading the message that recovery works! This is one of our favorite events of the year.” stated Brittany Kirvan, Director of information for The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery. VAMHAR is a returning sponsor who not only donates financially, but donates many hours in the planning process.
Other key sponsors for this year’s event include: New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center, Women’s Oxford House, University of Vermont Medical Center, and Aspenti Health
“This year’s event emphasizes how we can come together to support and celebrate individuals in recovery and be change agents in our communities,” stated Luke Patterson, Co-Chair of the Step Into Action Recovery Walk. “It is critical that people with substance use disorders receive the support and treatment they need and that we break the stigma around addiction and recovery. The reality is that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover and there are resources available in Vermont to make that happen. The Step Into Action Recovery Walk shows what recovery can look like for Vermonters and our message is that there is hope for every person out there.”
Launched in 2013 by a group from the Women’s Oxford House in Burlington, the Step Into Action Recovery Walk has become an annual event that spreads awareness of the treatment and recovery resources available in Vermont and celebrates the stories of those in recovery. The event continues to grow year-over-year thanks to the dedicated steering committee, local sponsors, and the community and this year marks a new era for the walk as plans for Step Into Action – VT, a non-profit resource to help other communities throughout the state host their own Recovery Month events, are finalized.
“We are excited for all of the support this walk has received over the years and are looking forward to carrying that momentum into the future. This year we wanted to bring the focus back to the newcomers in recovery, looking to make an impact and be a part of something larger than themselves,” stated Laura Kessen, Co-Chair & Co-Founder of the Step Into Action Recovery Walk. “We all have the potential to make a difference and be visible, vocal and valuable to help spread the message that recovery is possible and the people who come out to support this walk are proof of that.
The September 23rd walk is part of Recovery Month, a national observance sponsored by SAMHSA, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The observance raises awareness of mental and/or substance use disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledges the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.
For more information on the Step Into Action Recovery Walk please visit: www.recoverywalkvt.com.
About Step Into Action Recovery Walk: Step Into Action Recovery Walk was launched in 2013 by a group of volunteers from the Women’s Oxford House, a sober living facility in Burlington, VT. With a mission to celebrate recovery from addiction, build community awareness that recovery works and educate on the different pathways to recovery the Step Into Action Recovery Walk exists to bring awareness to the recovery community and to help fundraise for local nonprofit recovery resources. Step Into Action Recovery Walk is held in September during National Recovery Month, sponsored by SAMHSA.
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