Hope for Holyoke marches for Recovery Awareness Month

HOLYOKE, Mass (WWLP) – Mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers all in recovery walked today to spread awareness for recovery from addiction.

“We honor those in recovery and we celebrate,” said Kevin LeBeau, outreach coordinator at Hope for Holyoke.

“We have been in business for 9 years and every year, you are going to hear what you hear in the background, recovery is possible,” said LeBeau.

Through Hope for Holyoke’s nine years of being around, they have helped countless people recover from addiction together.

“They have helped me through my journey. The people there are great. They don’t judge you. They will give you rides, and get you into a detox center if you need to go. Basically, if they can do it, they will” said Emma McDonough of Holyoke.

The members of Hope for Holyoke become a family, helping each other out and continuing to pass the message of recovery.

Hope for Holyoke may just be right here in Holyoke, but they are looking to spread the word of recovery and compassion to people all over.

“In general, we love people so it’s about Holyoke because we are from Holyoke, but it’s people in general, this is everywhere,” said Orlando Rivera, a peer mentor and volunteer at Hope for Holyoke.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia helped to raise the Recovery Awareness Flag in front of Holyoke City Hall, standing in solidarity and showing people still using, that there is a place for you.

“If all 351 cities and towns were to work together in the Commonwealth and take a stand and do what we did today, the much more effective the impact we can have to make a real difference for people that are struggling with addiction,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia.

Hope for Holyoke also works with Highway to Hope which helps to provide transportation for those in recovery to get to their treatments.

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