Recovery Month v-ball fun day held

Participants are seen playing volleyball during the Recovery Month Volleyball Fun Day held in celebration of National Recovery Month in Micro Beach last Saturday. (LEIGH GASES)

The recovery committee composed of Haggan/Woong United for Recovery, H.O.P.E Recovery Center, Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Rehabilitation Program, Community Guidance Center, Men and Women of Destiny, and the Drug Court held a Recovery Month Volleyball Fun Day last Saturday at Micro Beach despite the rain.

Team Chuukese and Cream bested the rest of the teams which included teams W.O.D, Saar-up, Boys Man Mezzing, Ace Holes, and Last Minute.

According to Djaymarch Ong, peer lead coordinator for Haggan/Woong United for Recovery, it was a sober event with no alcohol, just food and nonalcoholic beverages. The fun day lasted from 12noon to 7pm, with lots of games in between.

For the whole month of September, which is proclaimed “Recovery Month,” a series of events were planned. A Recovery Walkathon happened last Sept. 9, a Recovery Month Hike Adventure from the H.O.P.E. Recovery Center to Suicide Cliff last Sept. 10, a movie night, and a National Addiction Professionals Day.

Upcoming events include a day of prayer recovery mass on Sept. 25, a beach cleanup at 13 Fishermen to Carolinian Utt on Sept. 26, a Roadside Wave at the Carolinian Utt, and a Family Fun Fair at the roundhouse in Garapan, both of which are on Sept. 30, and the community is invited to attend.

“Let’s continue to empower the recovery community by providing guidance and support to those seeking lifelong recovery, and by combating stigma, and showing support to our service providers and champions in our island community so that we can all continue to work towards building a healthier and safer CNMI,” said Ong.

“During National Recovery Month, we celebrate the individuals in our island community who have achieved recovery and reaffirm our commitment to helping more people overcome substance use disorders and reach recovery. We also support those who are still struggling to achieve recovery and dedicate ourselves to overcoming these challenges together,” he added.

This year’s National Recovery Month, which was proclaimed by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres earlier this month, has adopted the theme “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” It reminds people in recovery and those who support them,that recovery belongs to all. 

Haggan/Woong United for Recovery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community of support for those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.