Poughkeepsie, NY … September is National Recovery Month, which promotes evidence-based treatment and recovery practices and celebrates the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery, in all its forms, possible. The Dutchess County Department of Mental Health (DMH) highlighted one of its many efforts to support those on their recovery journey with a ribbon cutting event for the Dutchess County Empowerment Center today at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie. The Empowerment Center is a free, accessible resource center, open to adults 18 and older at any stage of their substance use or mental health recovery journey, where they can get support from recovery coaches and peers in a non-traditional, non-clinical setting.
County Executive Sue Serino said, “Everyone’s journey to recovery is different. Our Empowerment Center ensures a wide range of tools and resources are available to help people be successful in their recovery. Working with peers who have similar lived experience helps people realize their goals in a supportive environment. The Empowerment Center team is truly making a difference in people’s lives and we are grateful to Mental Health Commissioner Jean-Marie Niebuhr and all her staff for their dedication to support those living with mental health or substance use issues.”
The Empowerment Center provides support, resources, services and education to people living in any stage of recovery – including recovery-oriented coaching from peers to realize personal goals, connections to resources such as healthcare, housing, benefits and employment, as well as wellness activities and support groups. “Recovery Connections” activities provide engaging local social activities with visits to local attractions, including hikes, farmers markets and more. One of the most popular activities is working in the Community Garden, a partnership with Eden Share, a local organization promoting new models for creating, maintaining and sharing community garden spaces with other nonprofit and human service organizations.
The Empowerment Center was developed following the Dutchess County Opioid Task Force’s Community Gaps Assessment, which identified a need for a peer-driven, low-barrier program to address gaps in the system of care for both mental health and substance use service delivery. Since its initial opening in 2022, more than 400 individuals have taken advantage of the one-on-one Recovery Coach services at the Empowerment Center.
Services and connections provided year-to-date for 2024 at the Empowerment Center include:
DMH Commissioner Jean-Marie Niebuhr said, “Peer recovery coaching is an evidence-based method that reduces substance use and dramatically improves recovery outcomes. It is inspiring to see the connections that are made in the Empowerment Center and how participants work with the Recovery Coaches, as well as each other, to support their recovery journeys. We are proud to serve our community and offer this outreach and connection to those at-risk of relapsing or who are struggling to find the resources needed for success.”
The Empowerment Center operates Monday through Friday 9am to 4:30pm. Call a recovery coach at 845-486-2893 to make an appointment or just stop in during “All Access Hours” on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays 1:30-4pm. The Empowerment Center is located at 230 North Road, Entrance 3, in Poughkeepsie. Learn more about the Empowerment Center’s programming, as well as the various mental health services available in Dutchess County, at www.dutchessny.gov/empowermentcenter.
