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Upcoming Events
Southeast Recovery Learning Community
Mental Health Awareness Month Gathering
&
1st Annual Sandra Whitney-Sarles Award Ceremony
Friday, May 29th | 12pm-2pm
The Southeast Recovery Learning Community invites you to our Annual Mental Health Awareness Month Gathering on Friday, May 29th from 12–2 PM ET, a community-wide celebration dedicated to connection, reflection, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
This year’s event features the First Annual Sandra Whitney‑Sarles SERLC Peer Awards 2026 Ceremony, honoring peers whose lived experience, leadership, and commitment strengthen our recovery community. The gathering also includes a community slideshow, and a creative sharing segment to uplift voices and celebrate resilience.
Participants may join in person at their local Recovery Connection Center or online via Zoom using Meeting ID 834 8385 7368 and Passcode MHAM.
For more information, email info@southeastrlc.org. All are welcome to be part of this meaningful Mental Health Awareness Month celebration.
Brockton Recovery Connection Center
BAMSI Pride!
Saturday, May 30th | 11am-3pm
We’re excited to share that BAMSI is hosting their 3rd Annual BAMSI Pride celebration — a day filled with connection, joy, and community care. This event brings together food, music, resources, and no‑cost HIV/HepC/STI testing in a welcoming, affirming space for everyone.
If you’re looking for a place to celebrate Pride, meet local organizations, or simply enjoy a fun afternoon with community, this is a great opportunity. Resource tables and vendor spots are available, and the event is completely free and open to all.
📅 Saturday, May 30th
⏰ 11am–3pm
📍 BAMSI, 10 Christy’s Drive, Brockton, MA
Come as you are. Celebrate Pride. Connect with community.
Fall River Recovery Connection Center
Button Making Workshop
Wednesday, June 3rd
4pm-6pm
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Get ready to kick off Pride Month with creativity and community!
On Wednesday, June 3rd from 4-6pm Rainbow Rabbit Wandering Wardrobe is joining us at the Fall River RCC for a Button Making Workshop filled with color, conversation, and connection!
We’ll have everything you need to design your own buttons, plus free snacks, coffee, and donated clothing available for anyone who wants to browse.
This is a low‑pressure, welcoming space to meet others, make something fun, and celebrate Pride together.
Hosted by the Rainbow Rabbit Wandering Wardrobe in partnership with the Fall River Recovery Connection Center, this gathering blends skill‑building with community support and creativity. Offered in-person at 649 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA 02720.
Guest Speakers
Vanessa Williams
May 7th, 2025
You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup….But Also, That Phrase Is Tired
Vanessa Williams is a Certified Peer and Recovery Support Specialist, mental health advocate, and leader in the peer support movement with over 13 years of experience in warm line services. As the NC Warm Line Program Manager at Promise Resource Network, she oversees a statewide 24/7 peer support line, bringing a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and person-centered approach to emotional support. Vanessa has extensive experience in training, supervision, and program development, and has played a key role in expanding access to peer-led services across modalities, including phone, text, and chat.
In addition to her program leadership, Vanessa is the founder of Elevate Recovery, where she provides continuing education, consulting, and empowerment-based resources rooted in accessibility, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (A-JEDI) principles. She is a former Board President of the National Association of Peer Supporters and currently serves on the board of the Warmline Advisory Group. Vanessa is currently working toward becoming an Emotional CPR (eCPR) Facilitator, deepening her commitment to fostering authentic human connection and emotional support in communities.
In this engaging and honest talk, “You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup… But Also, That Phrase Is Tired,” Vanessa explores the realities of burnout in peer support roles beyond common self-care clichés. Drawing from her experience in warm line leadership and peer practice, she unpacks how emotional labor, blurred boundaries, and system pressures impact peer supporters. Vanessa offers practical, trauma-informed strategies—including micro-restorations, consent-based boundaries, and eCPR-informed connection—to help peers stay grounded, present, and aligned with their values while doing this deeply human work.
Meeting ID: 278 388 590 434
Passcode: Z2NY6bm2
Dial in by phone
+1 617-297-7925,,925045323#<tel:+16172977925,,925045323#
Phone conference ID:
925 045 323#
For more information, email: hdt@namiboston.org
June 4th, 2025
Aroldo Ferreira, CPS
Aroldo Ferreira is the Director of the Massachusetts Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Program. He oversees statewide certification logistics and leads the team responsible for developing and delivering training materials that prepare individuals to become Certified Peer Specialists professionals.
Since 2008, Aroldo has been an active leader in the mental health and peer support movement through the Central Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community (RLC), where he served as Program Coordinator and Director of Multicultural Affairs. Using his own lived experiences to inspire hope, he helped introduce peer support practices into most inpatient units across Central Massachusetts and beyond, coordinated Kiva meetings, built peer facilitator teams, and expanded peer support to diverse communities, including Latino, Brazilian, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+, and others.
Aroldo is an experienced multilingual trainer, leading and developing workshops such as Trauma-Informed Peer Support Facilitation, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Parenting Journey, and Trauma and Healing Dialogues.
Aroldo’s approach is guided by clarity, honesty. He is passionate about culture and human connection and values, learning about people’s beliefs, traditions, and lived experiences. His work is grounded in inclusion, mutual support, and creating spaces where every voice is heard and respected.
PRESENTATION:
Many people who have lived through emotional distress, trauma, or mental health lived experience want to use their experience to support others—but may not know how to take that step. The Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) training helps turn lived experience into professional peer support that makes a real impact. This gold standard CPS training is carefully curated and designed for review and curriculum analysis by our funders, board members and multiple stakeholders.
This is a rigorous, advanced training designed for individuals who already have a foundation in peer support. Through 24+ interactive modules, small group work, and guided assignments, participants learn how to use their own story to foster hope and healing in others—while honoring the principle that healing is a self-determined process.
The primary purpose of the CPS program is to help build a peer workforce in Massachusetts. The training is designed to enhance the tools used by people who already have experience in peer support and the mental health recovery movement. Students bring their lived experience to class and learn how to use their story and skills to assist people receiving services as well as service providers. CPSs are the evidence that recovery is real.
Kiva Centers is the only organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts authorized to provide this training. Upon completion, participants are eligible to sit for the state-recognized certification exam to become a Certified Peer Specialist.
Graduates go on to serve in community and service system roles where lived experience is valued as expertise—bringing insight, connection, and inspiration to the people and systems they work with.
Meeting ID: 278 388 590 434
Passcode: Z2NY6bm2
Dial in by phone
+1 617-297-7925,,925045323#<tel:+16172977925,,925045323#
Phone conference ID:
925 045 323#
For more information, email: hdt@namiboston.org