East Bay Recovery Center grand opening ceremonies were held last Thursday morning at the renovated facility on 31 Railroad Ave. in Warren. It was a day filled with happiness and emotion.

Thomas Joyce, East Bay Recovery Center director, was thrilled and pleased by the turnout.

“It’s exciting,” he smiled. “We opened up a year ago in Bristol, and now we have two locations and full-time funding,” he said. “We help people on their path to recovery.”

Among those offering remarks during the brief speaking program were Rebecca Boss, director, Rhode Island Behavioral Healthcare, Developments Disabilities and Hospitals; Dennis Roy, president and CEO of the East Bay Community Action Program; Warren Town Manager Kate Michaud; State Sen. Walter S. Felag, Jr.; State Rep. Susan Donovan; State Rep. June Speakman; and State Rep. Jason Knight.

Mr. Roy thanked the Town of Warren for its assistance, as well as the citizens of Warren.

“It’s a great day for recovery,” he said. “This is just the beginning for us.”

Also speaking from a personal perspective was a young woman named Jessica, whose recovery trials and tribulations were spelled out in detail to the audience. She thanked Mr. Joyce and Ernie Thivierge, an East Bay Recovery coach, for their guidance and support throughout her ordeal.

“We need these guys,” she exclaimed. “Tom and Ernie T. helped lead the way. And thank you, Warren, for being so supportive.”

At the conclusion of her story, the audience responded with a loud round of applause.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of a special award to Bruce Eddy for his dedication and all the renovation work he did at the center.

Between the Bristol Recovery Center at 378 Hope St., and the Warren Recovery Center, both East Bay Community Action programs, a number of support services are also offered, as well as peer-to-peer recovery services.

The Center strives to empower, encourage, and support those who need help in order to improve their life and embrace the challenges of recovery. Services are free and open to residents of Bristol, Barrington, Warren, East Providence, and surrounding Rhode Island communities.

As stipulated in their brochure, “Recovery Centers serve as a physical location where recovery partners can organize and provide support and care. It is a safe and supportive environment that emphasizes self-direction and encourages those who need help to embrace and experience what the peer recovery movement has to offer.”

Thankfully, both the Bristol and Warren recovery centers have experienced coaches who have lived the recovery experience themselves. They include Ernie Thivierge, Erica Federico, Shannon Addison, and Ines Garcia.

For more information on East Bay Recovery Center’s program and services, contact director Tom Joyce at 401-302-6231 or tjoyce@ebcap.org.

“Recovery is a reality,” said Mr. Joyce. “We want to be part of the community and we want to connect. We open up and find out what the community needs. We’re available to anybody who needs help. We help people on their path to recovery.”