Recovery Center to Open in Former Catholic Charities Building

Recovery Aroostook an organization of individuals experiencing recovery, from substance use disorder, as well as family members and health professionals will soon open a new Recovery Center in Caribou.

The center will be located at the former ‘Threads of Hope’ Thrift Store on the Old Van Buren Road, across from Cary Medical Center.  Recovery Aroostook has been meeting since May of 2017 in an effort to establish a ‘Recovery Community’ that will offer a variety of programs that will support the recovery effort.  Ronni Bossie, Chairman of the group said that the opening of the Recovery Center is a milestone in the work of Recovery Aroostook.

“This is the first center of its kind ever made available in Aroostook County’, said Bossie.  “It has taken a lot of volunteer effort, the generous support of the community, and the cooperation of Catholic Charities Maine to make this possible.  This is a major step in generating the kind of support system that will help reduce the tragedy of substance use in our County”.

The goal of the Recovery Center will be to provide opportunities for meetings, job searching, peer to peer counseling, social interaction, special events and more to anyone who is on the journey of recovery.  The center will initially be staffed by volunteers for limited hours during the week and will expand as more volunteers join the effort.  Recovery Aroostook is planning a ‘soft opening’ on February 14^th, Valentine’s Day.  Jan Jackson, a community outreach worker in Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Department said that while everything may not be totally ready, the group is anxious to make the center available.

“Our members, all volunteers”, said Jackson who has worked with Recovery Aroostook since last May, “are working very hard to do some basic cosmetics and to try and make the center welcoming and a place of refuge and hope for those in recovery, families and others who support the recovery community.  Speaking to people in the community we have heard many thank yous and …finally. The energy in our group, their commitment to make it happen is truly inspiring.”

The ‘Threads of Hope’ Thrift Store had been managed by Catholic Charities Maine for some 20 years.  The store closed in 2017 and almost immediately discussions began between Recovery Aroostook and Catholic Charities about the potential for making a portion of the building available for the Recovery Center.

Steve Letourneau, Chief Executive Officer for Catholic Charities Maine said that seeing the former thrift store building continue to serve the needs of people in Aroostook County was highly motivating for his organization.

Recovery Aroostook meets every Wednesday night at 6:30 pm.  Beginning in February meetings will be held at the Recovery Center located at 14 Old Van Buren Road in Caribou.  Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings and the organization is recruiting volunteers, particularly those who are in recovery to help staff the center.  For more information contact Jan Jackson at Cary Medical Center jjackson@carymed.org.

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