YPR Chapter seeks to help adolescents and young adults
Opening the Door to Recovery
YPR Chapter seeks to help adolescents and young adults
If you were to ask Yolanda Regina Battaglia why she started the Scranton Chapter of Young People in Recovery ( YPR ), she would tell you it was a case of divine intervention .
“ It really was inspired by God ,” she said . “ About eight months before starting the Chapter , I began to desire to work with people afflicted by this disease . In April 2016 , I learned about YPR and
I just knew that was the door I was supposed to walk through .”
Young People in Recovery is a national grassroots organization based in community-led chapters . These chapters support young people who are either in or seeking recovery by empowering them to obtain stable employment , secure suitable housing and explore continuing education . Chapters also advocate on the local and state levels for better accessibility of these services and offer effective recovery resources .
“ YPR aims to reduce stigma in the community surrounding the issue of addiction and recovery ,” Ms . Battaglia said . “ Our chapter ’ s goal is to become a household name-- a resource for the person in recovery or the family
member . We are here to serve the community .”
YPR Scranton hosts monthly community chats at the Peckville Assembly of God , as well as several adolescent recovery support groups . Group members also reach out personally to teenagers who might be recovering .
“ If there was more community support for people who are truly trying to get their lives back on track , there might be less relapse ,” she said . “ Business owners need to give a person in recovery a chance rather than shun them because of his or her disease . The more addiction and recovery are talked about , the more the community will understand and be less ashamed if someone they know is affected by this disease .”
Ms . Battaglia is also in the beginning stages of planning for a Recovery High School which , she explained , will help teens move forward without feeling ostracized from the community at large .
“ The teens who are in recovery are returning to the high schools where
they may have gotten the drugs in the first place ,” she said . “ Recovery high schools are designed specifically for students in recovery from substance use disorder or dependency . They provide the typical academic curriculum along with recovery support , counseling , and life skills so that the teens will have the proper tools to better manage the disease of addiction moving forward .”
For Ms . Battaglia , working with those seeking recovery has taught her about the resiliency of the human spirit — and it has inspired her to continue to do more .
“ I am so impressed by people in or seeking recovery ,” she said . “ They have a daily struggle-- most have been through hell and back , and yet they still try to move forward to reclaim their lives . I admire their strength and courage . I just hope they know how strong and special they truly are . “
For more information about YPR- Scranton , visit https :// www . facebook . com / scrantonparecovery /
10 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce