HOULTON, Maine — The Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope (ARCH) in Houlton is celebrating National Recovery Month with a picnic event Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 2 p.m.
For ARCH, the event will also serve as the one-year anniversary of the opening of a clinic in Houlton. Located at 36 North St., ARCH is a place where individuals can receive support for their recovery journey, connect with people and resources and also serves as a venue for various recovery meetings.
“A great deal has happened since ARCH opened its doors last September,” said Chelsea Putnam, peer support specialist and volunteer coordinator. “Although the pandemic has changed how we support our recovery community we are pleased to continue to be an important resource.”
In the past year, ARCH has supported individuals in their recovery journey through in-person and telehealth meetings including SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training), Parents in Recovery, Relationships and Addiction, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Probation and Recovery.
The anniversary celebration, known as “Fall into Recovery,” coincides with National Recovery Month, held each September. Community members are welcome and asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. “This outside event will include individually wrapped snacks to enjoy as well as an opportunity to share more about the services at ARCH,” said Putnam. “Narcan training will be provided and kits will be handed out. We will also have fun decorating masks that attendees can take home with them.”
ARCH is a service of Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) in collaboration with Link for Hope. For more information on the activities or resources offered at ARCH, please contact Putnam at 254-2213.
Celebrating more than 55 years, AMHC is a nonprofit organization supporting nearly 6,000 clients annually. The agency has 26 service sites and 325 employees located across Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock counties providing mental health, substance use, crisis and sexual assault services. For more information, connect with AMHC at www.amhc.org.
