STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER
THE POWER OF HOPE
Bennington and Springfield ’ s Turning Point Recovery Centers make a profound impact in the lives of Vermonters who struggle with Substance Use Disorder
When the original Turning Point Club in downtown White River Junction first opened its doors in 1992 , it served as a safe place where members of Alcoholics Anonymous could congregate and support each other in their journeys of recovery . As time passed , the Turning Point Club in White River Junction expanded its offerings to include a wider range of sobriety fellowship meetings , which led to a notable increase in demand for their services .
In 2002 , the Turning Point Center approached the Vermont State Legislature with a proposal for a network of twelve recovery centers spread around the state of Vermont . Over the next several years , the Vermont State Legislature offered crucial support to the Vermont Recovery Network , ( VRN ) which played a pivotal role in overseeing the development of the proposed recovery centers . After several
54 VERMONT MAGAZINE years of meticulous planning , development and community outreach , the VRN ’ s efforts paid off in the form of eleven additional Turning Point Recovery Centers scattered throughout the Green Mountain State .
Today , every county in Vermont has at least one Turning Point Center . Although each center operates autonomously under its own unique leadership structure , they are all united in the common goal of helping Vermonters who struggle with substance use find success in recovery . Each center offers different services to address the specific needs of their respective communities and also maintains close partnerships with local community organizations . Here we highlight just two of those towns : Bennington and Springfield .
At the Bennington Turning Point Center , Executive Director Julea Larsen manages a dedicated team of staff members , recovery coaches , and interns who provide a broad array of valuable services for local residents , who struggle with substance use disorder ( SUD ). Larsen is a person in longterm recovery from SUD , and an active member of the Southern Vermont recovery community . “ I started working at the Turning Point Center in 2014 ,” recalls Larsen . “ Back then , I was cleaning the bathrooms , vacuuming and volunteering at local events in any way that I could .” Larsen then became certified by the Vermont Recovery Coach Academy as one of the first recovery coaches in the state of Vermont , and climbed her way up through the ranks at the Turning Point Center while working diligently to strengthen and expand their community outreach programs . “ When the Bennington Turning Point Center was first founded in 2004 ,