it was a community hub where people in recovery could come and spend time together in a sober and safe environment . We had movie nights , game nights , and recovery-friendly events for members of local sobriety fellowships who held meetings here . These days , the Turning Point Center in Bennington has evolved well past its original functions .”
Larsen explains that in addition to hosting recovery meetings , the Bennington Turning Point Center also works to connect people with SUD with other locally-based organizations and supportive resources , such as recovery coaches , counseling , and treatment services . Turning Point workers also do a significant amount of community outreach . They hand out harm reduction bundles , organize recovery-centric events and offer family counseling services to the relatives and loved ones of people who are still actively using substances . “ We also help to connect people who are in recovery from SUD with training programs that will give them the opportunity to help other people as recovery coaches ,” notes Larsen . “ Recovery is a lifelong process , and everyone ’ s recovery is different . We want to help people help themselves in every way possible , and we also want to educate the greater community about SUD through our outreach work .”
Ralph Bennett works as the Emergency Department Supervisor for the Bennington Turning Point Center . Bennett is also a person in long-term recovery from SUD and a certified recovery coach who attended the same training program as Larsen . “ I first came to the Bennington Turning Point Center to do some volunteer work ,” says Bennett . “ I wanted to get involved in any way that I could , and I was eventually able to get certified as a recovery coach . It ’ s incredibly fulfilling work , and I ’ m happy to be able to make a real difference in the lives of people who are living with SUD .” Through his work as Emergency Department Supervisor , Bennett oversees a team of committed recovery coaches who meet people with SUD when medical intervention is needed at their most vulnerable point . They speak to them without judgment and help them set up a path to recovery that they are able to commit to . Bennett and his team of coaches then offer to connect them with treatment resources - and work with them to help them overcome the obstacles that prevent them from finding success in recovery . Bennett has also developed relationships with the medical personnel at local hospitals and treatment centers . They work together to provide thoughtful care to people with SUD .
One such medical worker is Patricia Johnson . Johnson is an Emergency Department Nurse who works at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center . She also works as a nurse manager at two residential treatment programs : Grace House in Rutland and Serenity House in Wallingford . According to Johnson , the Turning Point Center plays an invaluable role in the treatment system at all levels of care . “ Working with people like Ralph Bennett allows me to gain deeper insight regarding SUD . When you ’ re working in the medical world , your protocol is typically reliant on ‘ textbook ’ information . As helpful as that type of information is from a medical standpoint , it isn ’ t always applicable in terms of how you approach patients who are grappling with SUD . It ’ s incredibly important to get input from people with lived experience , which is why I ’ m grateful to have forged connections with the people who work at recovery centers like Turning Point . I ’ m in a position where people depend on me to make care recommendations for patients with SUD . My recommendations are often informed by the lived experience of people who are working in local recovery centers and battling the SUD epidemic on the front lines in their communities .”
In addition to his work as Emergency Department Supervisor , Ralph Bennett is also involved in the ongoing efforts to bring recovery housing to Bennington . “ The Turning Point Recovery house project on Gage Street is still a work in progress , but we ’ re nearing the final stages of completion ,” says Bennett . “ As we look towards the future , we ’ re excited to be able to offer people in early recovery a safe place to stay and work on their sober skills . There are also a number of additional recovery housing projects in Bennington County that are being spearheaded by other passionate members of the recovery community .”
Up at the Springfield Turning Point Recovery Center , Executive Director Michael Johnson oversees a vibrant recovery hub with a team of committed workers . As a person in long term recovery from SUD , Johnson is proud to preside over a recovery center that offers a vast panoply of services to the local community , including an on-site transitional housing
VTMAG . COM FALL 2021 55