ACCR at the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk
“Recovery has to be made just as visible, if not more so than the painfully visible [substance use] disorder that preceded it. There has to be glimmers of hope that recovery can happen.” – Brooke M. Feldman (courtesy of Huffington Post)
The Allegheny County Coalition for Recovery joined over a thousand survivors, supporters, and people in recovery on Saturday, September 10, 2016 for the first annual Pittsburgh Recovery Walk in downtown. The mission of ACCR is to increase awareness of behavioral health recovery and to promote the use of recovery principles and practices in behavioral health services in Allegheny County. How better to do so then to participate in this grand effort?
Members of ACCR in attendance included Alicia McAllister, Danyelle Hooks, Bill Boyce, and others from CCBHO, an active participant in and supporter of ACCR activities. The walk began at the Greyhound station with speeches by Mayor Bill Peduto, PA Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Gary Tennis, and City Council President Bruce Kraus.
“We have to talk about hope and grace,” said Bruce Kraus, Pittsburgh City Council president (courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
The walk then continued on Liberty Ave. to Market Square, where the event ended with a recovery expo with activities and entertainment, including a presentation by Dr. Latika Davis-Jones (Allegheny Co. Drug and Alcohol Administrator) and music by the Billy Price Band.
In addition, there were community speakers, informative booths, activities, and refreshments. Everyone had a great time and we look forward to participating in this event again next year.
“Public recognition of recovery means a lot to me. It reminds me of how far I’ve come and motivates me to keep striving and gives me confidence that I can be who I really am without fear of disapproval. It’s a chance to have a positive effect on someone else’s life by being open about my own process.” – Pittsburgher Jordan Pearlman (courtesy of IRETA)