<img class="size-medium wp-image-41484 alignright" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2020/12/money_1607428664-300x212.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="212" />The Piedmont Community Regional Services Board was awarded $498,961 through Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC’s) INSPIRE Initiative for its Community Recovery Program (CRP). This is one of 30 projects receiving more than $9.4 million from INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE), an ARC initiative addressing Appalachia’s substance abuse crisis by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem leading to workforce entry or re-entry. ARC has also released a Request for Proposals for a second round of INSPIRE funding, which will award up to $10 million to more recovery-to-work projects. “I congratulate the Community Recovery Program for their INSPIRE award and commend them for their role in addressing the economic impacts of Appalachia's substance abuse crisis," said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. "ARCINSPIRE partners will help individuals in recovery obtain sustainable employment, further encouraging economic resiliency in the communities that will be served. As ARC looks to the second round of this funding initiative, I encourage all interested applicants in the Region to send us your ideas.” The CRP supports recovery-to-work/recovery ecosystem efforts in the city of Martinsville, Henry and Patrick counties. The program helps by assisting individuals recovering from substance use disorder by providing them with vocational training and support that can lead to them obtaining and maintaining competitive employment. In addition, it provides links to other community resources and support to help maintain recovery. At CRP, “we believe that recovery is not only possible, but expected. As individuals are referred to the program, the staff encourages the participants to believe that they can live a life without having to abuse mood altering substances and that they can become productive members of their community. Most of the individuals referred to the program have a prior criminal history, have no connection with family, are in an unstable living conditions, and find themselves feeling hopeless,” Katie Whitlow, internal and community relations for Piedmont Community Services, said when announcing the expansion. According to Whitlow, the CRP staff has adopted a quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” “This quote is perfect for individuals who come through the doors at CRP. Through participating in the program, being linked to other community resources, and engaging in the vocational training program, the participants’ confidence increases, their self-esteem is heightened, and they begin to believe in their ability to excel,” Whitlow wrote. The CRP has been successful, she said, but it believes there are many more individuals to connect with and help them to realize they are braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think. “For that reason, we are excited for the opportunity to expand this innovative program,” she added.
