Thursday – Branching Out – Innovation, Leadership & Collaboration
Today, we want to highlight and share a special message from our Executive Director, Kristina Canfield:
Today’s theme is “Nurturing the Soil and Planting New Seeds”
Encouraging sustainability, innovation, and growth by providing tools, resources, and advocacy strategies to strengthen and expand CRPs.
Growth requires intention, effort, and the right environment—whether it’s infusing recovery principles within programming, developing recovery-friendly policies, expanding CRP services, or advocating for change on campus. This day emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and planting the seeds for future success by equipping CRPs with tools and knowledge to strengthen their programs.
The future of recovery is bold, inclusive, and growing.
Today we spotlight how CRPs are innovating to meet the needs of changing student populations. Collegiate recovery is expanding beyond traditional models—reaching students of all ages, identities, and pathways.
From innovative partnerships across campus to forming state and regional networks, CRPs are becoming leaders in the broader recovery movement. By empowering students and staff in recovery to take on leadership roles, we build a more recovery-friendly workforce and campus environment.
💜 How to Get Involved Today:
- Feature a student leader in recovery on your platform.
- Collaborate with a new department or club.
- Be of service today, or advocate to provide an opportunity for someone else.
Let’s keep branching out—toward belonging, access, and impact.
Join us for any of our virtual events this week – open to everyone! These are great events to involve your students and come together in celebration of collegiate recovery!
Here’s what’s going on today (be sure to register now!):
| How We Think About Substance Use Matters: A Paradigms Exercise
Presenter: Dylan Dunn, MS Register here: https://collegiaterecovery-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/NB2elhGTQuKJcgPoMb46_w This session is presented by Dylan Dunn, MS, from SAFE Project. As reflective practitioners, it’s critical to grapple with underlying frameworks that shape our understanding of student identities and experiences. One place where biases often go unchecked is in our approaches to student substance use, addiction, and recovery. This session will engage participants in a survey tool to guide a review of assumptions and beliefs that develop our professional and personal approaches to student substance use. Themes and takeaways will also be shared from implementing this tool with professionals around the country. |
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| Empower Hour: Student-led Advocacy, Action, and Communication with Legislators
Presenters: Christina Reardon-Harrah & Tammy Bradford Register here: https://collegiaterecovery-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/w7myARnfSn6LR3Eb5OYIew Join us for a dynamic virtual event led by the Student Representatives on the ARHE Board of Directors as part of Collegiate Recovery Week 2025! This session is designed for students in recovery and collegiate recovery professionals who are passionate about advocating for the future of collegiate recovery programs. During this hour of action and empowerment, attendees will learn how to effectively communicate with state and national legislators through letter writing and phone calls. We’ll dive into current funding challenges facing collegiate recovery programs and provide the tools, language, and support needed to make your voice heard. Whether you’re new to advocacy or already engaged, this is your chance to connect, get informed, and take meaningful steps toward supporting recovery in higher education. Come ready to learn, share, and make an impact—together we’ll amplify our voices and stand up for the programs that support our communities. 📣 Let’s activate our collective power with a call to action that makes a difference. Letter-writing support and templates will be provided! |
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There are several resources that may be helpful to download in preparation for the Empower Hour advocacy session. These templates, scripts, and key points will be reviewed and explained in more detail, along with where to find other crucial pieces of information to effectively advocate. Download the materials here:
- Template Email to send to your legislators
- Template Phone Script if calling your legislators
- Template Follow-Up Email to send after calling your legislators
- One Pager of Key Points to consider when advocating
Don’t forget to download our social toolkit – you can download our pre-designed graphics and copy/paste the corresponding text to save you time when posting to social media and spreading the word about collegiate recovery week!
Over 30 collegiate recovery programs were recently affected by sudden funding loss at the State level in several States. Please help us support our colleagues and students by supporting our Conference Scholarship Fund. We need each other more than ever and every dollar counts!
This session of How We Think About Substance Use Matters: A Paradigms Exercise was not recorded to allow for engagement and interaction. However, you can find a recording of this session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Ag375b4Mk
Empower Hour: Student-led Advocacy, Action, and Communication with Legislators was also not recorded to allow for meaningful engagement and discussion.