Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) proudly presented the Legislative Champion Award to Patty McCarthy at Recovery Day 2025, recognizing her decades-long dedication to advocating for individuals in recovery and shaping policies that support substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.
McCarthy, a nationally respected leader in the recovery movement, has spent over 25 years advancing policies that prioritize dignity, access to care, and person-centered recovery support services. A Vermont native, she previously served as the director of Friends of Recovery - VT before becoming the CEO of Faces & Voices of Recovery, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the recovery community. In that role, she led efforts to expand peer recovery support services, increase federal funding for recovery programs, and challenge stigma through public education and policy reform.
Throughout her career, McCarthy has worked to ensure that individuals with substance use disorders receive the support and services they need to rebuild their lives. She played a critical role in the passage of the SUPPORT Act, which strengthened national recovery infrastructure, and has been a powerful voice in Vermont’s legislative efforts to expand harm reduction, peer support, and recovery housing.
“Patty McCarthy has been a tireless advocate for recovery in Vermont and across the country,” said Daniel Franklin, Executive Director of VAMHAR. “Her leadership has not only changed policies but has also saved and transformed lives. It is an honor to recognize her contributions with this award.”
Recovery Day is an annual advocacy celebration dedicated to honoring the power of substance use recovery and the diverse pathways individuals undertake on their recovery journeys. This year’s theme, “Recovery Rooted in Community Connection,” emphasized the vital role that community support and peer connections play in successful recovery outcomes.
McCarthy’s work continues to inspire a new generation of recovery advocates. In accepting the award, she emphasized the collective power of the recovery movement: “When I began my work in recovery advocacy I was driven not only by my own recovery but by the simple and profound belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to heal, to recover, and to thrive. It is our collective responsibility to break down barriers, to provide support and resources, and to create a society, where everyone feels valued, welcomed, and understood, and to ensure that the voices of people with lived experiences are included in all policy discussions.”
About VAMHAR:
The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) envisions communities that actively embrace the full spectrum of the human experience with compassion and acceptance, celebrating all pathways to healing. VAMHAR is dedicated to supporting individuals affected by mental health and substance use challenges through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
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