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The 2011 Rock Into Recovery

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"Recovery is Worth Celebrating!"

The Second Annual Rock Into Recovery was held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 on the Waltham Common. As many as 500 people came to learn more about the reality of recovery while listening to the music of The Grateful Friends, Ramblin’ Dan Martin and RuthAnna Welch. Peer-run organizations and programs from as far away as Taunton (SERLC), Worcester (CMRLC), and Lawrence (NERLC), Boston (MBRLC & the Transformation Center) were on the scene providing information and referrals, as well as representatives from club houses, the Veteran’s Administration, CBFS programs, and NAMI. Even the mayor of Waltham, Jeannette McCarthy, stopped by to wish us well and enjoy the event. Locally made arts & crafts were sold and The Edinburg Center’s Creative Writing group held a poetry reading in between musical acts. In the spirit of just plain fun, a magic show, balloon animals, face painting, washable tattoos, and other surprises were offered free to children and adults alike. The Edinburg Center’s day treatment program, Transitions, set up a food tent to sell low cost barbequed food, as well as desserts, snacks and beverages.

We were delighted that so many people showed up to share in the hope and exhilaration of the recovery journey. We look forward to next year’s Rock Into Recovery and hope to see all of you there!

The History of Rock Into Recovery

Rock Into Recovery was created by Todd Lena in February 2010. He envisioned it as a celebration for people in recovery from mental health conditions and substance abuse. Todd knew first-hand what it was like to find himself confused and isolated by an untreated mental health condition and a co-occurring addiction. He was grateful to all of the people who had supported him in his recovery and began to talk to them about his idea of Rock Into Recovery. Todd wanted to develop a live rock concert as the venue for this event. He was so committed to its creation that he named it and developed a website even before he was able to find partners to turn his dream into reality. Todd received strong encouragement from people at the Boston Recovery Learning Community, the Greater Boston NAMI CAN, and The Edinburg Center. With their support, he sent a proposal to The Edinburg Center’s management. To his delight, he was invited to meet with them to discuss his idea for Rock Into Recovery.

In April 2010, Todd, along with an old friend and supporter, met with The Edinburg Center’s CEO Ellen Attaliades and Associate Director Holly Baab. He talked about how he began his own journey toward recovery and explained to them that it began with a cup of coffee, brought to him in a hospital by Vicki Fredrickson, a clinician/manager from The Edinburg Center’s Intensive Community Support program.

Todd was at a low point in his life and was feeling pretty hopeless at that time. As simple a gesture as it was, that cup of coffee made Todd feel that he had just met someone who thought about him as an individual. In that moment, a seed of hope was planted that helped Todd believe that he might rebuild a meaningful positive life. He told Ellen and Holly about all of the other people, within and outside of The Edinburg Center, who continued to help him along the path of recovery. He described his current life, which he shared with his wife, other family, friends, co-workers and mental health advocates.

He then talked about his dream for Rock Into Recovery. He told them that although he eventually wanted to create a world-wide recovery celebration, he was currently looking for sponsors to help him stage a smaller celebration. He proposed staging a rock concert in a local hall and inviting persons in or contemplating recovery, as well as their families and friends and the community at large to this event.

Ellen and Holly were immediately taken with the idea and told Todd that they would discuss it with others at The Edinburg Center and get back to him shortly. When he met with them, they told him that they were prepared to provide the agency’s complete support for Rock Into Recovery, including hiring him to coordinate it.

The first Rock Into Recovery was held at the Sons of Italy Hall in Arlington on the evening of October 15, 2010. Over 175 people attended a free concert that was opened by Ramblin’ Dan Martin and headlined by Todd Lena’s band, The Grateful Friends. The audience included a diverse group of people, bonded for at least one night through a rock and roll celebration of recovery. The first Rock Into Recovery was so successful that plans were made to make it an annual event with a broader scope.

Transitions Exercise Program

Vladimyr Pharel is working as an intern for Transitions this summer. He is a student in the Mental Health Certificate Program at MassBay Community College.

Vladimyr is looking for donations of exercise equipment for Transitions' exercise room. At this time, he is specifically looking for a treadmill and a flat screen TV that could be used for exercise videos. Vladimyr plans to train people on how to use the exercise equipment properly and is encouraging people to join him on healthy walks.

Transitions is hoping that Vladimyr's dedication to this project will increase exercise in everyone's daily routine and result in a healthier Transitions!