ARCNH RECEIVES FUNDS FROM NHCF

For Further Development of Peer Support Programming

May 27, 2021

The Addiction Recovery Coalition of New Hampshire (ARCNH) recently received a grant from The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) made possible by the Oliver J. and Dorothy Penniman Hubbard New Futures Fund. The grant will be used to support continued growth and development of ARCNH’s Peer-to-Peer Recovery Coaching Program, to increase community awareness of the ARCNH Community Recovery Center, and ultimately expand recovery services available in the Souhegan Valley. 

NHCF is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, founded in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire. The Foundation manages a growing collection of 2,000 funds created by generous individuals, families and businesses, and awards more than $40 million in grants and more than $6 million in scholarships every year. The Foundation works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving, supports great work happening in our communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. For more information, please visit www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.

ARCNH is a Community Recovery Center that treats Substance Use Disorder (SUD) by providing a central location for access to local support systems. Founded in 2015 by a group of concerned citizens, our personal experiences with SUDs drive our passion and urgency in addressing this epidemic using a peer-to-peer approach. With so many pathways to recovery available, we guide individuals in finding the pathway that feels most aligned with their values and needs. 

ARCNH has been providing recovery services to the Souhegan Valley since the opening of the Community Recovery Center in Milford in May of 2020. Since opening, ARCNH has made substantial progress towards developing a sustainable and highly effective Community Recovery Center. In August 2020, Board of Directors President, Bradford Volz, invited Laurie Scorzelli to join the ARCNH team as Executive Director. Since her on-boarding, the procedures and policies grounding the Peer-to-Peer Recovery Coaching Program at ARCNH have begun to evolve this program into a high caliber recovery support system, ARCNH’s online presence has improved significantly increasing community awareness of the center, and the structures to make ARCNH a successful Community Recovery Center are well underway.  Two dedicated volunteers, Sophie LaRochelle and Eva Shepard work alongside Laurie supporting fundraising, marketing, program development and service delivery efforts.

The Peer-to-Peer Recovery Coaching Program at ARCNH is designed to provide those on the path to recovery with individualized care and support from those with personal experiences with SUDs. Peer recovery support focuses on long-term recovery and is rooted in a culture of hope, health, and wellness. The focus of long-term peer recovery support goes beyond the reduction or elimination of symptoms to encompass self-actualization, community and civic engagement, and overall wellness. Peer recovery coaches walk side by side with individuals seeking recovery and help people to create their own recovery plans and develop their own recovery pathways. A peer recovery coach brings the lived experience of recovery, combined with training and supervision, to assist others in initiating and maintaining recovery, helping to enhance the quality of personal and family life in long-term recovery. Research has suggested that providing holistic, community-based support services enhances treatment outcomes and has identified peer-based community support, like Peer-to-Peer Recovery Coaching, that follows a participatory and empowerment approach as a significantly important strategy for supporting recovery over the long haul. The grant provided by NHCF will enable ARCNH to continue to expand and improve this important program. Funds will be utilized to support the salary of a Peer Support Program Manager to be on-boarded in July, to upgrade center technology and security, and to further spread awareness of this new important resource in the community. 

ARCNH is also participating in New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s NH Give’s event. Funds raised toward ARCNH’s $8,000 fundraising goal will be used to support the professional development of Recovery Coaches, and to provide assessment and treatment coordination services at no cost to individuals seeking recovery from Substance Use Disorder.

The grant received by ARCNH was made possible by the Oliver J. and Dorothy Penniman Hubbard New Futures Fund, a fund managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Oliver J. Hubbard was an active member of the New Hampshire charitable community throughout his lifetime. Born in Walpole, NH, he graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1950. Mr. Hubbard was president/CEO and business administrator for Hubbard Farms from 1962 to 1986. He served in the U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division, during the Korean War where he received the bronze star. Mr. Hubbard served in many organizations throughout his lifetime including the American Egg Board, New Hampshire Poultry Growers Association, New Hampshire Agricultural Conference, 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire and Kurn Hattin Homes. Mr. Hubbard’s accomplishments throughout his life were numerous. Since his death in 2012, the Oliver J. and Dorothy Penniman Hubbard New Futures Fund has supported many worthy causes including recent significant investment in charitable works in the SUDs epidemic throughout New Hampshire. ARCNH is grateful to have been included in the generosity made possible by this fund commemorating such an exemplary man.