Scranton, Pennsylvania, September 8, 2019- Sons, mothers, daughters, husbands, fathers, wives, sisters, brothers, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts— all friends of recovery took to the streets of Scranton to celebrate National Recovery Month.
Beginning at the new Clear Brook Foundation Hall on North 8th Avenue, hundreds of walkers marched to The Recovery Bank on Wyoming Avenue to support recovery, fight stigma, and send a message of hope to individuals and families impacted by alcoholism and drug addiction.
“I have been doing this work for a long time in Lackawanna County, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and way beyond. And every time the Scranton recovery community is rallied, we step up in a big way. I am so proud of the collaboration happening here by not only the courts, treatment professionals, law enforcement, and first responders, but by volunteers and peers in recovery reaching out to help one another. Today is a great day for recovery in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said the Honorable Judge Michael J. Barrasse.
In a true demonstration of solidarity, walkers were accompanied by the Scranton Police Department as well as the Scranton Fire Department.
Scranton Recovery Walk organizers included a diverse mixture of recovery community stakeholders including Frank Bolock, Rose Nogan, & Jim Donly, The Recovery Bank; Dick Conaboy, & Mark Pisacano, The Clear Brook Foundation; Helen Lavelle, Anna Layaou, & Marilyn Lavelle French, Lavelle Strategy Group; Kevin McLaughlin & Lou Guzzi, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services; Mariliz Loftus, Lackawanna County Treatment Court; Mark Powell, Lackawanna County District Attorney; Doug Long & Gene Reed, Long Productions; Angela Gilgallon, TPALS; Linda Ciampi, Outreach-Center for Community Resources; Bill Poray, Geisinger Marworth; Barbara Durkin & Tony Kosydar, Lackawanna Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs and several others who contributed to making the event a huge success.
Sponsors of the event include The Erin Jessica Moreken Drug and Alcohol Treatment Fund, Inc., J Anthony Quinn D.M.D., Just Believe Recovery Center, Lackawanna and Susquehanna County Drug and Alcohol Program (LSODAP), Lamar Advertising, Bolock Law, Lavelle Strategy Group, The Treatment Court Advocacy Center of Lackawanna County, and Foundations Recovery Center.
“The Lackawanna County Commissioners and Lackawanna and Susquehanna County Drug and Alcohol Commission are proud to participate in the 30th anniversary of National Recovery Month. The outpouring of support that we see here today is a testament that recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction is possible and together we are truly stronger,” said Tony Kosydar, Deputy Director at Lackawanna Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Upon completion of the Scranton Recovery Walk, The Recovery Bank hosted an after-party for walkers who were met with food, fun, and fellowship. Entertainment was provided by the Voodoo BBQ Brass Band and food generously donated by area businesses and restaurants including Fidelity Bank, The Forever Sammi Foundation, Bingers Maintenance & More, Pizzos Painting, Downtown Deli, Villa Maria Restaurant, Ale Mary’s, and Angelo’s Pizza Viewmont Mall.
If you are a friend of recovery and interested in volunteering or participating in upcoming recovery-related events hosted by The Recovery Bank, please contact Rose Nogan, Volunteer Coordinator at team@recoverybank.org or (570) 880-7901.
The Recovery Bank is Scranton’s new peer-driven recovery support center for persons who have experienced addiction to alcohol or drugs…and their loved ones.Our welcoming and nurturing center serves all who are focused on moving forward in life – physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and financially. It is here where lost abilities are found, new interests discovered, goals realized and recovery enhanced.
We are not a treatment center. Nor are we focused solely on addiction. Our primary purpose is to support and enhance recovery.
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