The Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA was initiated in Summer 2024 as a peer support group where students in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders can build community and access resources to promote their success and well-being.
Housed under the Academic Affairs division of this private, two-year institution, the CRP will also facilitate opportunities for students exploring recovery-related careers and host learning and service events open to all. The Program employs one full-time staff Coordinator, will maintain a dedicated physical "third space"for its members, and welcomes multiple pathways of recovery.
Preliminary outreach began in Fall 2024, generating significant interest and engaging a mid-sized group of students who self-identify as being in recovery. For context, Harcum College enrolls approximately 1,000 students annually. Potential members of the CRP expressed a desire for social events, skills workshops, and peer recovery meetings. The broader campus community indicated interest in programming that includes ally training
and a group for friends and families of individuals living with a substance use disorder.
Plans are underway to involve students and other stakeholders in the development process to ensure the Program can effectively meet their needs. Collaboration with other Harcum departments, such as Counseling Services and the Academic Student Success Center, along with local recovery community organizations, will be essential to its goal of supporting students across all areas of wellness.
Currently, the CRP does not impose any membership requirements beyond a commitment to self-directed recovery goals. During this development phase the Harcum College CRP expresses deep gratitude for the support and knowledge shared by the wider CRP community, including ARHE, and looks forward to the growth of this student-driven program.