By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

On Friday, Christine, a volunteer at Lakes Region Recovery Center (LRRC) stuffed her belongings into her backpack and stated that she was looking forward to going home and spending some time with her dogs.

It had been a long week.

Then, a couple who had just moved to the area and was in need of bus passes walked into the center.

Without hesitation, Christine gave them a tour and cheerfully answered questions before providing bus tickets for the Lakes Region Explorer. 

“People come first,” according to LRRC Communications Specialist Candy Greenberg. “One of the first things I learned when I started working here is: People first. People walk through the doors, no matter what you are doing, you stop and welcome them. You see how they are doing.” 

The center, which was established in 2018, is located behind the Bridgton Hospital.

It is a hub of activity during the day — with meetings occurring in one room and Reiki being offered in another room and people busy working in offices. 

“We are a recovery center. We are a non-clinical center. We are peer support. So, there is always someone here to listen. Always,” Greenberg said. 

LRRC has people working or volunteering who have been trained in peer support for people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Greenberg said. 

There is always a listening ear for any issue someone might be experiencing. Or someone can come to the center just to avoid being alone. 

“We are a community center. We are a drop-in center. Not just for people in recovery, but for everyone. You can come in watch TV, hang out, have some coffee, have some snacks,” she said.  

“We are really trying to spread the word that you don’t have to be in recovery to come to the center,” she said. 

“I believe that everyone is in recovery from something. You don’t have to label yourself as anything,” she said.  

Since COVID-19 hit and mandated closures and social restrictions isolated people, Greenberg has seen an increase in the number of people seeking mental-health help. 

“Especially now after quarantine, many people are coming to us with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder.   There is a lot of fear out there. People need to know there is a safe place. I think people need to feel like they have a place to go where they can connect,” she said.  

“The winter months can be rough in Maine,” Greenberg said. 

It is nice to go somewhere that has friendly faces and healthy activities. 

In 2022, the center will be “upping its crafts game,” Greenberg said. 

Already, the arts and crafts group meets Monday from 9 to 11 a.m.  

“We are expanding our crafts repertoire. We are planning to do painting, paracord bracelets, foam flowers, paper crafting, resin pendants and resin jewelry,” she said. 

Another sweet favorite is cookie decorating, which was done in December and will be on the calendar again, she said. 

In December, the center threw a Christmas party, complete with food, raffle give-aways and games. About two-dozen people stopped in during the party. Eight people stuck around long enough to participate in games like Family Feud.

From that, came the brainstorm that adding a games night to the calendar in 2022 might be a good idea. 

“We are starting game night, which is going to be the fourth Tuesday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m.,” Greenberg said. “That is new, starting in January — just to fight the winter doldrums.”

“It is free. Everything we do for our members is free. We don’t charge for anything,” she said.  

The center networks with other facilities; and therefore LRRC can help people find the appropriate place to go. 

“We are also a great resource. We have a wealth of information about resources that we can make available. Rehab or detox clinics, mental health which is counseling and therapy. If someone comes in with a questions that we can’t answer, we can find someone who can answer it,” Greenberg said. 

For more information about Lakes Region Recovery Center (LRRC) or to view the calendar of events. Go to lrrcbridgton.org. 

The business phone number is 803-8707.