THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay will be Rockin’ Recovery this September. Representatives from the Thunder Bay Drug Awareness Committee (DAC), announced details of the 2nd annual Recovery Day being held in the city of Thunder Bay on September 2nd, 2015, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Festival Area located at Marina Park.
Rockin’ Recovery will feature local stories of recovery, musical entertainment, bands and food vendors. The event is open to the public and free to attend. “This year we are taking Recovery Day to the main stage. Substance use issues are often sensationalized but it is the recovery that is truly sensational,” said Nancy Hernandez-Barsuto, Chair of the DAC. “Rockin’ Recovery will celebrate the role recovery plays in everyone’s life. Most people have encountered some form of public stigma associated with addiction during their lives, and opinions on recovery may keep people from seeking help. The event will engage the community, provide education, raise awareness and help reduce the stigma surrounding addiction.”
Community members sharing their personal stories of recovery will be the main headliners for the Rockin’ Recovery lineup. Melissa DesChamps is one of eight people rocking recovery, who will tell their inspiring, and very real, personal story about overcoming addiction. DesChamps has been in active recovery for almost a decade. “What I know now about myself and my strengths, and what I can accomplish in my life- I wish I knew back then,” shared DesChamps. “I wish I could have shook myself and said ‘you’re okay, you’re going to make it.” DesChamps started her journey when she was pregnant with her son and she explains that she has some advice for those starting recovery. “Stay away from trigger places and trigger people. It’s very hard to stay in recovery without positive people in your life and encouragement.”
September will officially be proclaimed Recovery Month in the City of Thunder Bay.
The proclamation states that as a city we are passionate about sharing our stories of recovery in the hope of inspiring others to join us. “For many men and women, they fight not only the disease of addiction but also the stigma associated with it, which creates obstacles to accessing appropriate treatment and presents hurdles to recovery,” stated Cynthia Olsen, Coordinator for the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy. “Overcoming the stigma can be a major victory in a person’s journey toward recovery so it is important to celebrate success and very crucial to create a community of support and compassion. We should all be number one fans for those that are in recovery.”
The goal of Recovery Day is to start challenging assumptions attached to addiction, substance use and recovery and to start a conversation focusing on recovery and wellness. Recovery Day is a national initiative that was started in 2012. Thunder Bay will join the ranks of 25 other major city centers. Recovery Day is hosted by the Thunder Bay Drug Awareness Committee—a coalition of community partners committed to the education and awareness of substances and the prevention of substance related harms.
The DAC is also encouraging community members to become a Recovery Ally by participating in the Recovery Day Snapshot Competition. To participate, simply make a $20 donation to the DAC to get a sweet concert t-shirt (Rockin’ Recovery Day themed), and then simply take a selfie with the shirt and post on social media using the #RecoveryAlly or #RockinRecovery hashtags.
For more information about Recovery Day 2015 and the Snapshot Contest please visit the Drug Awareness Committee Facebook page. The Drug Awareness Committee of Thunder Bay is a coalition of community partners working toward the common goal of preventing substance misuse and is the prevention and education working group for the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy
