When people think about recovery programs, they often picture clinical services, rules, or temporary housing. But at Gilly’s House in Wrentham, Massachusetts, recovery is built around something deeper: community, dignity, and belonging. Founded by Barbara and David Gillmeister after the loss of their son Steven to a drug overdose, Gilly’s House has become a lifeline…
Nursing is a profession built on care, and is one that often asks people to carry enormous emotional, ethical, and relational weight. For nurses navigating recovery from substance use disorder, that weight can be compounded by stigma, fear, and isolation.
When people work in recovery, peer support, and community care, they often spend their days holding space for others. But where do they go to pause, reflect, and be supported?
Recently, staff from Choice Recovery Coaching from Greenfield, MA came together for a focus group to share their experiences with GPS training and GPS support groups. What emerged was a powerful picture of connection, safety, and healing, not just for individuals in recovery, but for the people who support recovery every day.
When Sarah Ahern talks about GPS Group Peer Support, she is not describing a program on a flyer. She is talking about a space her community has needed for a very long time. Sarah has spent years in the world of recovery and harm reduction. She trains and supervises coaches across Massachusetts, supports people coming…
