“A Collaborative Backbone of Support”

How Summit Recovery Hub RCO is bridging the gaps in the path to recovery

Words by Sophie Franchi

“We’re trying not to wait until someone is at the severe level of need for their mental health or substance use issue…”

Summit Recovery Hub RCO

Why don’t they just get help?

This question often runs through the hearts and minds of friends and relatives of people suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders. The truth is, it’s not that easy. Recovery looks different for different people, and the support systems needed to recover are not always accessible. Sometimes there are major gaps in the supports available to people seeking a pathway to recovery. Sometimes people have a difficult time finding any path at all.

Summit Recovery Hub RCO is working to bridge some of those gaps for our community.

“We really want this to be a collaborative backbone of support to help,” says China Darrington, Board President of Summit Recovery Hub. “No one can do the work for you, but we can make sure you’re not alone and that you have someone who knows a little something about helping someone navigate that process of change.”

Suburban and Rural Poor Stranded – Overcoming Difficulties Accessing Healthcare and Food

AMHA partners to bring services
to Twinsburg community Part 2

Story by Lyndsey Schley

 

Vaccines and WIC aim to keep babies healthy

Women, men and young children came and went from the impromptu waiting room outside the WIC Clinic at Pinewood Gardens April 30th. Children played with a bead maze while their guardians filled out forms.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides services for pregnant women, recent mothers and children up to the age of five. These services include a food program, health care referrals and nutritional education.

The clinic was formed three months ago, after AMHA realized community members were traveling to Akron for their WIC appointments, Morehouse said. Macedonia was closer, but it was not on the bus line.

Mini farmers markets bring healthy food to low-income neighborhoods

 

(Courtesy of the United Way of Summit County)

 

United Way donor investments are supporting mini-farmers markets in low-income “food desert” neighborhoods. Here, residents can use their SNAP and EBT benefits (food stamps) to purchase all foods for sale. They can also receive “Carrot Cash,” a dollar-for-dollar match of their food stamps to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Residents are being trained to expand markets into their own neighborhoods and nutrition education programs will be offered through nearby after school programs.

Gracious Acts of Service Span Three Generations

Gracious Acts of Service Span Three Generations

 

(Courtesy of OPEN M- Opportunity for People Everywhere In Need Ministry)

Captain Sylvia Trundle was seeking ways for the police department to partner with OPEN M after having worked as a patrol officer in the Summit Lake neighborhood. She began using OPEN M as a resource in her job, but that became just the beginning of her involvement and support. She began supporting OPEN M with her time and resources, and she invited two very special ladies in her life to join her – her mother, Kay Hine, and her grandmother, Sylvia Phillips.

Local man brings suicide awareness with Akron’s refugee community

Amber Subba, who works as a case worker at the
International Institute in Akron. (Photo: Chris Miller)

Story by Chris Miller, The Akronist

A case worker at the International Institute is tired of seeing the depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts that overwhelm some of his fellow Bhutanese in Akron. The suicide rate among refugees is nearly double what it is for U.S.-born residents, says Amber Subba, (pronounced Ahm-ber), who is co-hosting a “Stop Suicide” event Feb. 28, 1 p.m. at North High School. The event will include live music, and local mental health professionals will attend to spread the message that help is available for residents battling with depression.