Posted: Friday, August 28, 2015

Recovery Works, a coalition of business, community and health advocates, received a $75,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support its work to advocate for expanded access to recovery supports for people living with substance use disorders in Rhode Island and to educate the community on the economic impact of addiction. The Providence Center is a member of the Recovery Works coalition.

"Substance use is an economic development issue and a workplace issue," said Lisa Tomasso, community relations and business development associate for Recovery Works.

Funding from the Rhode Island Foundation will support Recovery Works' activities to increase awareness among employers, policy makers and the greater community and advocate for enhanced access to recovery supports. The coalition plans to expand membership, host community forums and conduct surveys and studies on the current economic impact of addiction and on the long-term benefits of recovery support services. 

The attention that Recovery Works brings to the impact of substance use in the local economy is critical, says Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, a Recovery Works member. "Recovery Works members will engage other business leaders in important conversations and will educate employers about the bottomline impact of substance use disorders and recovery in the workplace," White said. "These conversations will play a critical role in reducing the stigma associated with addiction and improving the health and productivity of our workforce."

"Ensuring that supports are available to people in recovery should be as much a part of living a healthy life as encouraging annual physicals," said Yvette Mendez, Rhode Island Foundation's grant programs officer for the health sector. "By reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders, the coalition will improve access to supports for those in recovery, and that benefits everyone."

Currently 39 members have joined Recovery Works, including: the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Rhode Island Manufacturer's Association, Rhode Island Building Trades and Construction Trades Council, International Painters Union and Allied Trades District Council 11, the Rhode Island Council of Churches, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Nurses Association, the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of RI, Assication of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants.