http://www.vermontjournal.com/content/turning-point’s-rock-addiction-recovery
Turning Point’s Rock for Addiction Recovery
Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/01/2014 - 4:09pm
By ANNE DEMPSEY The Shopper
SPRINGFIELD, VT -A lively musical scene with plenty of hot dogs, popcorn and homemade baked goods, face painting for the kids and information on local community social service agencies was what you’d find at the Elk’s Club on Saturday, March 29. Springfield’s Turning Point was celebrating its 10th anniversary of service to those recovering from substance abuse and addiction. Anyone who dropped in had their choice of admission fees: a bag of nonperishable food, a bag of returnable bottles or $5.
Three rock and roll bands performed that afternoon. Turning Point’s executive director, Michael Johnson played the drums as a member of the band “TMT.” TP’s board members Tom Mallard and Stu Currie played guitars in the two other bands: “RJ2” and “Play Dead.” The turn-out midway through the 5 hour event was estimated to be about 100 people.
The event was meant to raise funds, but also to promote Turning Point’s role as a community service agency. “How many people in this town have not been affected by alcohol or substance abuse?” poses Stu Currie, a TP board member. “If you are not abusing, it’s pretty certain that you have a friend, a neighbor or family member who is. As Governor Shumlin said, “It’s an epidemic in this state.”
Treasurer Catherine Bell emphasizes the importance of Turning Point’s drop-in center as a safe welcoming place, “Some men stop by after work to play a game of pool, instead of heading to a bar like they used to. We have a playroom set up so recovering parents have a safe place to visit with their children.” She explains that “safe” takes on a whole different hue in the eyes of a recovering addict. A safe place is a place where no one is abusing drugs and alcohol. It’s also a place where no one will offer you or pressure you into using drugs or alcohol.
The organization’s literature describes its drop-in center services as “public education, recovery meetings, socialization, peer-based recovery support services and advocacy.” Next to the drop-in center at 7 Morgan St is Turning Point’s transitional housing building. Transitional housing is meant to be utilized by individuals who have graduated from a rehabilitation center or have completed an incarceration period, stemming from a substance abuse related issue. Up to 7 recovering persons can live here and receive support services including a live-in house manager, recovery coaching, peer mentoring, and individualized outpatient programs. A licensed nurse arrives daily to distribute any prescribed medications needed by the residents. Each bed is paid for by HCRS or Springfield Supportive Housing. Turning Point also hosts a “Hands in the Field” garden project, which serves residents, reach-up clients and youth in transition.
Board member Heidi Melcher is hopeful that grant monies will come through to better compensate the three paid positions at Turning Point: executive director, transitional housing’s live-in manager and the center’s program director.
Both Bell and Melcher stress how important volunteers are to this organization. Presently, the greatest need for volunteers is in staffing the drop-in center, which is open 7 days a week. Its hours of operation are: Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; Monday thru Thursday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. -10 p.m.; and Saturday 12 p.m. -10 p.m.
Anyone interested in volunteering can call the center at 802-885-4668 or send an email to: spfldturningpoint@gmail.com. For more information on the organization, refer to their website: www.turningpoint.org.
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