Learn how to participate in 9/11 Day + National Recovery Month this Sept. in Birmingham

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September marks National Recovery Month and Addiction Prevention Coalition has big plans. Read on to learn how they’ll be giving back to Birmingham’s recovery community with a 9/11 Day Service Project and how you can participate.

What is National Recovery Month + 9/11 Day all about?

National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September. Its goal is to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.

What better way to support those in recovery than with a community service project? That’s where 9/11 Day comes in.

9/11 Day is a National Day of Service held annually. Its mission is to promote community service and taking care of each other. In keeping with this mission, Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) will be partnering with Birmingham Recovery Center and Behavioral Health Group to host a 9/11 Day Community Service Project.

The goal: to supply essential hygiene and household items to those living in treatment and recovery facilities around the Birmingham Metro Area.

“Many people often arrive at treatment centers and sober living facilities with little to no personal belongings. Being without basic needs can be stressful, and this added unnecessary stress is something someone new to recovery does not need.”

Raven Johnson, Project Director, Addiction Prevention Coalition

It’s not just adults in sober living facilities, either. Many children also live there with a parent and are in need of necessities as well.

How you can help

There are three ways you can help APC make their 9/11 Day Community Service Project a success:

1. Shop APC’s Amazon Wishlist.

Here you’ll find items requested by directors of various sober living facilities in the Birmingham Metro Area. Visit APC’s Amazon Wishlist here and donate items directly to places that need it most.

2. Purchase essential items to donate.

Items must be new and include:

• Twin bedsheets
• Bath towels
• Laundry detergent
• And more

Donation items can be dropped off at APC during regular business hours or shipped to their office at 324 Commons Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35209.

Questions and more information on donations can be emailed to ashley@apcbham.org.

3. Volunteer.

APC is seeking volunteers to join them on Saturday, September 11 to create baskets filled with basic hygiene and household essentials. Baskets will be given to adults and kids living with their parents in sober living facilities in the Birmingham Metro Area. 

To sign up, contact APC Volunteer Coordinator Nikeisha Macon at nikeisha@apcbham.org. *CDC guidelines will be followed, so be prepared to mask up and social distance.

Local businesses, churches and organizations are also encouraged to get involved. 

9/11 Day Event Details:

What: A day of giving back on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Volunteers will create baskets to give to sober living facilities in Birmingham. Kid Kits will also be made for children living with their parents at sober living facilities.
When: Saturday, September 11 | 10AM-1PM
Where: Birmingham Recovery Center, 2501 International Park Dr, Birmingham, AL 35243

Behind Addiction Prevention Coalition

APC is one of the leading organizations in substance use and recovery. A nonprofit community resource, APC aims to eliminate addiction in Central Alabama by inspiring people to live with hope, resilience and purpose. 

How do they do this? A number of ways, including:

• Communicating awareness of the addiction problem and inspiring hope.
• Providing education for prevention of substance abuse.
• Assisting those seeking connection by creating coalitions in the community. 

What’s unique about APC is that they don’t just focus on those already in treatment for addiction. They also strive to stop addiction before it starts through programs like:

• Youth Advisory Council (YAC): passionate and dedicated student leaders who wish to advocate for and educate their peers about making healthy choices. 
• Prevention Partners: An educational program that provides wellness and prevention offerings to protect employees, educators and members of the community from moving toward substance use disorder and rather toward wholistic health and recovery.
• Parents Toolbox: Parents are the most powerful influencer of their teen’s behavior. APC provides a multitude of resources to educate and empower parents to have thoughtful conversations with their children from preschool through high school. 

More ways to observe and celebrate National Recovery Month with APC

There are many more ways to celebrate Recovery Month this September. Check out what else APC is collaborating on with sister organizations, such as Not One More Alabama:

An Evening with Nic Sheff

• What: A dinner and an empowering message from life-changing speaker Nic Sheff as he shares his journey through addiction, mental illness and life in recovery. 
• When: Friday, September 17 | 6-9PM
• Where: Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center, 3320 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
• Price: $20
• Tickets

END ADDICTION WALK HSV

• What: join others in the recovery community in a walk to end heroin addiction.
• When: September 18 | 10AM-Noon
• Where: Big Spring Park, 200 Church St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Price: FREE. No registration required.
• More info

Find more Recovery Month events here.

To learn more about National Recovery Month, follow @bhamlovesrecoverymonth on Facebook. 

For programs, events and more taking place at Addiction Prevention Coalition, check out their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

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