Albany Change Center looks to boost attendance for 2024 addiction-recovery celebration

ALBANY – Each year Recovery in the Streets puts a face on overcoming addiction, and for the 2024 version that face will be a happy one, demonstrating the positive impacts that accomplishment can have on families and communities.

The fifth recovery event, organized by the Change Center in Albany, is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Sept. 21 outside the Flint RiverQuarium in downtown Albany, and organizers say they are hoping for an even bigger turnout for the fifth year.

“More than anything, it’s a celebration of recovery,” Alesha Burgman, the director at the downtown Albany addiction recovery support center, said. “We expect this year to be bigger than ever. We have grown to be the biggest recovery event in the state.

“Last year we had more than 600 people, and that was on a Thursday night. We expect this year to be even bigger on a Saturday night.”

The massive celebration will include a stage on which two bands will perform, activities for kids and free food.

The kid’s corner will include a gaming truck, bounce house, face-painting, games and prizes. So far, sponsors have donated funds to provide meals for up to 300 attendees, from at least four food trucks that will be on site. If more sponsors sign on, Change Center officials say that number can be increased.

“We’re going to be passing out 300 or more food tickets,” Burgman said. “We’ll have a DJ, and we’ll also have a free raffle. Everything is free. We’re still looking for sponsors, because this is a huge event.”

Recovery in the Streets also will include a diverse group of speakers who will share their journeys along that road.

The Change Center has hosted the event each year since 2019, with the exception of cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19, and the celebration coincides with National Recovery Month during September. A broad range of speakers is expected to share their recovery stories.

“More than anything, it’s an opportunity to give a voice or a platform for those who feel they have been unheard or unseen,” Burgman said. “We have a number of recovery champions who will be sharing their stories.

“It will (showcase) inclusion and recovery … community leaders and individuals from marginalized groups. It gets bigger every year. We want everyone to know recovery is for everyone — every family, every community.”

Recovery in the Streets also will follow the Aug. 30 lunch-and-learn event recognizing Overdose Awareness Day, which falls on Aug. 31 this year.

The Sept. 21 Recovery event also will include representatives from area organizations that provide support for individuals in the community,

During the month of June, the Change Center had 344 individuals visit the facility and provided 3,186 services in such categories as employment services like job searches and application assistance and connecting people to housing resources, food assistance, acquiring identifications and more.

The center also serves as a meeting place for recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, as well as for activities including tai chi and “mixxedfit,” an exercise program that combines aerobics, Zumba and dance.

File PhotoAlanMauldin[email protected]