Our Community Reports 338 Years
There has always been a debate about whether people are capable of change. We know that change is possible.
For Tammy, this year’s Recovery Rally Change Maker, this work is personal.
“My goal is to just continue growing and getting any type of knowledge and experience about recovery or outreach…to help me better myself, as well as my role as a team lead—because there’s always growth. There’s always room to grow, so anything I can take in… that will help.”
Tammy spoke at the Woonsocket Rally, sharing her story and the meaning behind her work, the change she continues to make at Safe Haven Drop-In Center. Two weeks later, she received the Change Maker Award. “Honestly, I was very shocked. I don’t do the work for recognition or awards, so hearing my name—it was shocking and very humbling.”
Her lived experience helps her understand that people in recovery, or those looking to be in recovery, are not alone. She has been in their shoes. It is not just about being trained “or just from a textbook, you know.” Tammy’s approach is personable, and one of her tenets is simple: “People can change and people can recover.”
Meeting people where they are means “no judgment, because everybody has a different life and brings different things into this door. It means having compassion and empathy and showing others having that.”
Rallies for Recovery
Recovery Month celebrates recovery success stories and promotes treatment and recovery resources in Rhode Island. Every year, RICARES hosts the largest recovery rally in Southern New England. This year, the event was held on September 19 at District Park in Providence. The event celebrates recovery, milestones, goals, stories, and treatment and resources.
This year, Tammy Wiggins received the Change Maker Award. Her excellence and continued dedication to creating lasting change and making an impact in the communities she serves is noted, celebrated, and, of course, appreciated.
Our staff kicked off the rally with our first recovery calculator. 123,285—that is the number of shared recovery days calculated from clients and staff—totaling over 338 years in recovery!
This rally featured community partners, speakers, and community members. Hearing from the recovery community, staff, former and current clients, created connection and a space to tell their story and share their voice. This work extends beyond Woonsocket.
Looking Ahead
Looking toward the future, Tammy shared what she hopes to see for Safe Haven:
“Build the team up to be stronger and have more time with people. I guess if you will—for programming. To introduce some life skills because I know that a lot of people out there facing homelessness might not have those skills and will need them to live a better life with daily routines.”
These are the changes, the hopes, and the belief that there is always room for growth and recovery for every person touched by it.
As we celebrate Recovery Month, we celebrate connection, bravery, and the people who continue to show up and share their stories.