The start of May is an exciting time of year. School graduations, sports seasons beginning and ending, moving closer to summer, just to name a few of the reasons. For the recovery movement, the excitement is no different. Those who are young and in recovery are wrapping up classes and securing summer jobs or internships, election season will reach its peak, and Recovery Advocacy Action Week is upon us yet again.
"Minnesota Recovery Connection (MRC) and The Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy are leading this national online campaign from May 2-6, in collaboration with Altarum Institute, Faces and Voices of Recovery, Facing Addiction, and Young People in Recovery (YPR). Join us for this important week of Recovery Advocacy on social media to help reduce stigma and strengthen our voices of recovery!"
Recovery advocacy is something all of us can get on board with. Addiction affects countless families in this country, and almost every individual knows someone personally who has battled this disease. It's imperative that we stand together as a constituency and push for increased resources such as improved recovery support services, funding research projects, criminal justice reform, access to treatment, support for marginalized populations, nationwide establishment of collegiate recovery programs and recovery high schools, and the list goes on.
As shown below, each day has a different hashtag for you to use, along with the official hashtag for the week: #RAAW16. This is a fantastic initiative that all stakeholders can support in a variety of ways. Let's continue to put a face and voice on recovery and join together to advocate as a united front!
MONDAY- #ThisIsWhatRecoveryLooksLike
Celebrate recovery by sharing a picture on social media that shows us what recovery looks like in your life.
TUESDAY- #OurStoriesHavePower
Smash some more stigma by sharing a brief description of your recovery on social media. Go a bit further and share your story of recovery with your legislators.
WEDNESDAY- #CARA2016
Record and post on social media a short video describing why you support the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act, and "tag" your U.S. representative. We'll edit together a compilation of your videos afterward!
More info on CARA at: minnesotarecovery.org/cara
THURSDAY- #AltarumBHchat
Interact with Hazelden Betty Ford's William Moyers, one of the nation's leading voices on recovery advocacy, in a Twitter chat hosted at 1 p.m. CT by our friends at the Altarum Institute. After the initial chat, stick around and interact with others leaders from Hazelden Betty Ford, Altarum, MRC, Faces and Voices of Recovery, Facing Addiction and YPR.
FRIDAY- #2ndChances
Support opportunities for redemption by sharing on social media examples of why second chances are important, including any you may have received.
To learn more and follow along throughout the week, check out the official flyer online.