September 8, 2018 - 8th Annual Passaic County Recovery Walk & Celebration
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Community Gathers to Support Recovery
“People need recovery. People need some hope. People need some strength!” Cindymarie Dix, Director of Eva's Peer Recovery Services told more than 1,000 people who turned out on September 8 to celebrate individuals in recovery to support the recovery community. This annual event is one of thousands organized across the nation during National Recovery Month to raise awareness about addiction recovery, treatment and support. Edwin Cruz and Vito Andrisani, who are members of Eva’s clinical staff; Mark Schmit, Eva’s CEO; Mayor Andre Sayegh; Passaic County Freeholders; and representatives from the County’s Human Services agencies also addressed the gathering. A choir from Straight & Narrow kicked off the celebration which began at Paterson's Courthouse Square at 77 Hamilton Street. |
In the News: 'People need some hope': Hundreds celebrate addiction recovery in Paterson walk Northjersey.com story
Lindsay , a graduate of the Eva’s recovery program and a Recovery Specialist in the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP), and Denise shared their experiences with addiction recovery. Denise, who cared for Lindsay’s son when she was unable to, is proud of Lindsay’s growth and achievement; she remains close to the family and is part of Lindsay’s support network. “Don’t give up!” she encouraged the crowd, “Keep going. And you, too can build a family out of strangers.”
Participants marched through Paterson's 4th ward - a neighborhood hard hit by drugs and violence - to East Side Park where Eva’s Chef Instructors and Culinary School students prepared and served food and cold drinks. The afternoon's activities included a D.J. in the pavilion and a softball tournament.
This year, Passaic County, the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and The Ammon Foundation joined Eva’s Village to sponsor the event, with help from Straight & Narrow, Turning Point and United for Prevention in Passaic County and other community groups.
Participants marched through Paterson's 4th ward - a neighborhood hard hit by drugs and violence - to East Side Park where Eva’s Chef Instructors and Culinary School students prepared and served food and cold drinks. The afternoon's activities included a D.J. in the pavilion and a softball tournament.
This year, Passaic County, the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, and The Ammon Foundation joined Eva’s Village to sponsor the event, with help from Straight & Narrow, Turning Point and United for Prevention in Passaic County and other community groups.
