Writers for Recovery… where words replace silence. From silence, from private, from addiction, folks throughout Vermont have instead turned to self-expression, to public, to recovery. A project of Kingdom County Productions, Writers for Recovery offers a voice to those who may be struggling with or recovering from addiction, and those who love them. There is power in the written word to process trauma, build self-esteem and support healthy sustained recovery, according to Bess O'Brien, film-maker, director and producer, and co-founder of Kingdom County Productions along with her husband Jay Craven. She and writer/teacher Gary Lee Miller Writers co-founded Writers for Recovery in 2013. Participants in Writers for Recovery workshops write deeply personal stories of struggle and perseverance, doubt and inspiration, and the slow but steady work of renewal and healing. One participant had this to say, "Writers for Recovery has totally opened a door for me where fear had kept me locked out." The Waterbury Public Library is pleased to host Writers for Recovery, Saturday, April 14th from 10-11:30 in the Sal room. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or is in the process of recovery, this workshop is a safe and powerful space to open up. The work has helped people across Vermont gain new perspectives on addiction and recovery as well as reducing the stigma of addiction by showing that people in recovery can make valuable contributions to their communities and lead rich, fulfilling lives, according to O'Brien and Miller. They are passionate about providing recovery resources. "Addiction has devastated our communities, pushed our healthcare systems to the limit and torn countless families apart" laments O'Brien.

Many may remember Bess from her seminal documentary, The Hungry Heart, about prescription drug abuse in Vermont. She also directed and produced All of Me, on body image and eating disorders, and Ask Who We Are, a powerful film examining foster care in Vermont.

Gary Miller is a writer and editor, and has a background in human services and crisis counselor.

The workshop can create a space for you to open up, find your voice and share it with others, simply by telling your story. You don't have to be a writer to attend, you just have to be honest. This is a workshop about creativity and expression, about writing from the heart. Young or old, Writers for Recovery is open to all, whether in addiction or recovery, and to relatives and friends of those struggling or in recovery.

For more information on Writers for Recovery, go to their website at www.writersforrecovery.org.

To register, call the library at 244-7036.

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