Mainstream Recovery Designated as Wellspring’s 22^nd Tree of Hope Recipient

Dr. Bonnie Nolan Designated as Recovery Champion

On September 21, 2023, Wellspring Center for Prevention will celebrate the 2023 National Recovery Month by dedicating its “Tree of Hope” to Mainstream Recovery.

The event will also recognize Dr. Bonnie Nolan, for her efforts in promoting recover.

The “Tree of Hope” is awarded annually to an organization that promotes recovery from substance misuse and mental health issues. This is the 22^nd year for Wellspring Center for Prevention awarding a Tree of Hope designation to a facility that focuses on providing recovery support services.

Mainstream Recovery is a leading independent consulting firm in the addiction recovery field. They help clients stay ahead of the curve in behavioral healthcare by providing technical assistance, resources, decision support and expertise.

Mainstream Recovery believes that recovery is about more than just good treatment and maintaining abstinence. It’s a process that encompasses an individual’s health, home, community, and purpose that is supported by education, employment, and support services. Mainstream Recovery Community Solutions brings together the expertise and resources to assess needs, create a plan and deliver on-the-ground results. Mainstream Recovery has experience in research and evaluation, policy analysis, government, strategic planning, organizational development and community needs assessment. They’ve spent years bringing research, people and organizations together to set the stage for healthier communities.

Dr. Bonnie Nolan received her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees from Rutgers University and the UMDNJ School of Biomedical Sciences. She taught at Rutgers University for nearly a decade before opening and operating a successful outpatient center for the treatment of all substance use disorders. In 2016, she created the Addiction Services Division for Woodbridge Township Health Department. The program is an Opioid Overdose Recovery Program wherein peer recovery coaches visit overdose victims as soon as they arrive in the hospital. The Division also organizes community programs for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery from substance use disorders.  Dr. Nolan is currently in private practice as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor and serves as a mental health consultant to Woodbridge Township and Middlesex County.

“We chose Mainstream Recovery as our 2023 Tree of Hope recipient because they effectively and ethically implement peer recovery support services for their clients to provide the best possible chance of a successful recovery,” said Heather Ward, Program Coordinator for Middlesex County. She continued stating “They not only give people hope, but also a real opportunity for recovery.”

Wellspring’s annual Tree of Hope campaign is designed to raise the consciousness of our neighbors in Middlesex County to the fact that addiction is an illness from which many do recover, and to celebrate those recoveries. This annual event is one of our agency’s primary fundraising vehicles and supports their confidential information and referral Helpline, which yearly helps over 650 individuals and families begin their journey of recovery.

The event will be held at the East Brunswick Library, located at 2 Jean Walling, Civic Center Dr, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 on September 21, 2023 starting at 5:30 PM. Refreshments will be provided. For additional information please contact Heather ward at [email protected] To register, please go to: https://wellspringprevention.org/events/092023-tree-of-hope-ceremony/