Berks County Commissioners Recognize Recovery Month

On September  25, the Berks County Commissioners devoted over an hour to hearing stories of recovery during their regularly scheduled meeting. Giving the floor to members of the recovery community during Recovery Month is an annual tradition for the commissioners. Speakers included both service providers and individuals in recovery from various organizations including COCA, Easy Does It, Inc, the Reading YMCA, TASC, Berks Counseling Center, and the Berks Treatment Court Program. All who spoke thanked Commissioners for the county’s support of programs and services that help people in recovery from substance use disorder.

COCA’s Community Programs Specialist Yvonne Stroman, who organized the speakers, noted that Recovery Month raises awareness that recovery is possible.

“It’s also a call to action for us as leaders and neighbors to continue to build systems that reduce stigma, expand services, and invest in treatment and recovery supports,” Yvonne Stroman said.

Yvonne was followed by Scott Althouse, Executive Director of Easy Does It, Inc, who spoke of the challenges being faced by many recovery and treatment providers due to an ongoing state budget impasse. Two Easy Does It clients spoke of how the program changed their lives, providing them with community and support to maintain recovery.

Jenna, from the YMCA of Reading also thanked commissioners for supporting their residential programs, and reminded them that “Behind every statistic is a face, a family and a future worth fighting for.”

Among those in recovery who spoke was a woman who, along with her three children, was a resident of the Women’s and Children’s Bridge House, which, she said, gave her “the time to rediscover who I was as an individual. I was a shadow of myself. Now I cook again, I sing again, I have faith again.”

After hearing numerous stories, the commissioners thanked those in attendance for sharing those stories. Commissioner Michael Rivera choked up as he recalled his own father who lived in recovery for 45 years, but was too ashamed to talk about his challenges with substance use disorder.

“I want to encourage everyone to share their story,” he said. “Stories are the most powerful thing you can share.”

In the News

Watch a recording of the meeting
See WFMZ News Article 
Read the Reading Eagle Article 

Photos from the meeting