More than three hundred people from across Northeast Georgia turned out Saturday at Pitts Park in Clarkesville for the third annual Recovery Fest. It was a large turnout considering the county fair was happening across town and a similar event was being held at the same time in Gainesville.
Those who attended celebrated loudly. They celebrated their sobriety and those who helped them along the way through guidance and counseling.
Many of them celebrated their newfound faith in God.
People shared their testimonies about overcoming addiction and their road to recovery. Their stories had similar hallmarks – beginning with drug or alcohol abuse as teenagers that continued into adulthood.
When the fun starts
Jessica Montgomery and her husband operate Levi’s House Recovery Home in Cleveland, Georgia.
Jessica’s journey with addiction started as a teenager. After multiple run-ins with law enforcement and serving time in jail, she knew something had to change. However, she initially felt that life after recovery would be boring.
“I had this persona that once in recovery, nothing would be fun anymore,” she shared.
Montgomery said that’s one of the reasons they attend Recovery Fest.
“That is one of the things that we wanted to show our guys is that that’s when the fun actually starts.”
“These events are a way for us to give back, to do service work, spread what was given to us, to take our recovery and give it to someone else. That’s the whole point,” Montgomery said.
Levi’s House Recovery Home works through CrossOver Church in Cleveland not only for those facing struggles with addiction but also to help those facing struggles with pain and hurt in their life.
Levi’s House Recovery Home assists people with addiction to get into a rehabilitation center and has helped approximately 76 people over the last year.
“We try to do the best that we can with anybody that approaches us to lead them in the right direction. Lead them towards God. Lead them towards recovery.”
Raising awareness and offering hope
“What we’re trying to do is just raise awareness. September is Recovery Month. It is to bring resources to the people here,” says Susan Sorrows, Co-founder and Director of Community Recovery Center in Cleveland. “We recover out loud so others don’t die quietly.”
Four rehabilitation centers, four recovery community organizations, the Center for Wellness and Recovery detoxification program, and Avita participated in this year’s Recovery Fest.
This is the third year these organizations have held this event in Habersham County. They’ve averaged between 300-400 attendees each year.
“We’re pretty happy with the turnout (this year),” Sorrows said.
More important than how many attend is how many lives are impacted. The ripple effect of recovery goes beyond any festival. For every addict who chooses sobriety, a host of family members, neighbors and friends – entire communities – are impacted.
Samantha Spillers says Recovery Fest helps her because she knows she’s not alone.
“It’s what keeps me sober. The networking and just seeing all of the people out here supporting our cause.”
