HOULTON, Maine — Nearly two months after it first opened, a new peer center for individuals struggling with alcohol or drug problems is hosting a grand opening celebration.
The open house at the Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope, which is located at 36 North St., will take place 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The center first opened near the downtown in July.
The new facility, a service of Aroostook Mental Health Center
in collaboration with Link for Hope, is a place where individuals can receive support for their recovery journeys. The goal of the facility is to help connect people to resources and also to serve as a venue for various recovery meetings.
“We are looking forward to our grand opening celebration,” Stephen Tibbert, AMHC substance use peer run recovery center manager, said in a written statement. “It will be an important time of sharing with the community how a peer support recovery
center like ARCH provides such a benefit to those struggling with alcohol and drug use. We hope to see many stop by on
Saturday to learn more about what we are offering here.”
The facility is not a treatment of overnight center, organizers have stressed. It will support those seeking recovery or in recovery.
Link For Hope has championed the need for such a facility for several years. Last year, it received a five-year state grant to open two peer-run recovery centers in Aroostook County. That grant was spearheaded by the Aroostook Mental Health Center. A similar home will be built in Caribou.
Houlton’s center is modeled after the Bangor Area Recovery Network.
The grand opening will include an overview of services offered, refreshments and a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Overflow parking will be accommodated at the former Portland Glass building next door. For information, contact Emily Bragdon at 493-1278 or Trudy Rairdon at 521-2283.
