Vickie Baumbach, DBH Alcohol and Drug Services Program Manager II, and Veronica Kelley, DBH Assistant Director, at 2014 Recovery Happens Event.
Vickie Baumbach, DBH Alcohol and Drug Services Program Manager II, and Veronica Kelley, DBH
Assistant Director, at 2014 Recovery Happens Event.

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and its community partners invite the public to help celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month by attending the 12th Annual Recovery Happens event on Saturday, Sept.19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park, 800 N. Archibald Avenue in Ontario.  This no-cost event is made possible through the support of local community partners, agencies and businesses.

Recovery Happens will feature children’s activities, family games, entertainment, free refreshments (while supplies last) and agency booths providing educational resources. A special tribute will take place for individuals in recovery, their families and friends, and those working in the field of prevention, substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services.

This collaborative event between DBH’s Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS) and community partners is designed to increase awareness and understanding of substance use issues while celebrating recovery. Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and was adopted by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in 2011. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Visible, Vocal, Valuable!” emphasizes the value of peer support in educating, mentoring, and helping others.

“Recovery happens every day. In September, we celebrate the journey taken by community members, family and friends, towards wellness, prevention, treatment and recovery,” said DBH Assistant Director, Veronica Kelley. “DBH is honored to host this annual event to support those we serve.”

DBH’s ADS provides a full range of substance use disorder prevention, treatment and education for communities and residents of San Bernardino County through a network of community based organizations and County-operated clinics with the goal of promoting prevention, intervention, recovery and resiliency for individuals and families. Through ADS, DBH is supporting the Countywide Vision by working to create a county in which those who reside and invest can prosper and achieve well-being.

For additional information regarding this event or DBH ADS services, contact Lois Mergener at (909) 386-8262 (711 for TTY users) or lois.mergener@dbh.sbcounty.gov or visit www.sbcounty.gov/dbh/News/.