The Rally for Recovery is an annual festival organized by Rhode Islanders in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
The Diocese of Providence is one of the proud sponsors of this important community event. The annual rally is held each September, a month that has been designated as Celebrate Recovery Month.
Seventy percent of Rhode Islanders report knowing someone who has been or is addicted to alcohol or drugs. Such addictions cross the lines of race, religion and socio-economic class and the boundaries of sexual gender and age. Addiction affects a wide range of families and individuals across the Ocean State and the need to provide prevention and recovery abound. Thankfully, Catholic parishes and Catholic Charities agencies in the diocese offer a network of support and help for addicts where they can seek recovery services.
September has long been designated National Recovery Month to celebrate the positive results that real recovery can provide addicts. Too many Rhode Island individuals and families have at one time or another been impacted by the negative effects of addiction to alcohol and drugs. This month is a time to celebrate with those individuals and families that have overcome addictions and entered into the powerful process of recovery. The continued prayers, encouragement and sharing of church facilities for recovery efforts provides valuable support to those who struggle to recover and attempt to persevere in their recovery.
Statistics clearly indicate that we as a church and as community at large need to Rally for Recovery not only in September, but every day. We can begin by celebrating National Recovery Month by standing by our brothers and sisters in recovery and celebrating this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Roger Williams National Memorial Park in downtown Providence. The road to recovery for substance abusers can often be bumpy and uncertain, but it is a road that needs the support and encouragement of everyone who calls themself a Christian disciple.
