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1,300 People. One Powerful Message of Hope – Recovery Month 2026

Photo of Daurice Cox

CEO Daurice Cox, PsyD.

Happy fall!

Just a few weeks ago, we were experiencing blistering heat and long hours of sunshine. Fall is an exciting season of transition. For many, it feels like an unofficial new year, marked by the return of school, classes, activities, and community events.

September is Recovery Month, a time when communities across the Commonwealth come together to celebrate recovery, honor resilience, and raise awareness about substance use disorders. We began the month with a somber gathering on Boston Common to remember those we have lost to overdose. While there is encouraging news to celebrate, including overdose deaths falling below 1,000 for the first time in a decade, every life lost remains a tragedy. Bay State Community Services remains committed to advancing prevention, treatment, recovery support, and education efforts that save lives and strengthen communities.

Throughout Recovery Month, BSCS was proud to host several events, including the Mass Young People in Recovery Summit, The Recovery Challenge, Recovery Movie Night, and Comedy Night. These events provided opportunities for education, connection, inspiration, and celebration for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use.

The month concluded with Recovery Day, hosted by MOAR at Boston’s historic Shubert Theatre. More than 1,300 people gathered to celebrate recovery through inspirational speakers, music, spoken word performances, and meaningful connections. The day served as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that no one has to walk the journey alone.

As Recovery Month comes to a close, we remain grateful to our partners, supporters, and community members who work every day to promote hope, healing, and recovery across the Commonwealth.

With gratitude,

Daurice Cox signature

Program Spotlight: Recovery Education Collaborative's RCX

Mass RCS Logo

The Recovery Coach Exchange (RCX), a program of the Recovery Education Collaborative (REC), elevates the Recovery Coach profession by creating a space where coaches can come together to learn, connect, and grow. Through shared professional and personal experiences, the RCX fosters collaboration, encourages ongoing personal development, and strengthens the sense of community across the workforce. At its core, the RCX is about building a more connected, confident, and supported peer workforce that can better serve individuals, families, and communities.

Facilitating monthly meetings by region, the RCX covers a combination of topics and discussion points. This gives participants the opportunity to work on the core competencies, to come together to support and learn from one another, and to share with other Recovery Coaches.

Learn more about the RCX at MassRCX.org

Gratitude Corner

Thank you to all who continue to support Bay State Community Services’. This month we’d like to recognize those who donated raffle prizes to the Plymouth Family Resource Center’s 6th Anniversary Party!

Plymouth Family Resource Center's 6th anniversary party

  • Sandwich Heritage Museum
  • Starland Park
  • New England Aquarium
  • Level 99
  • Plimouth Patuxet Museums
  • Colgate

DPH Community Health Equity Survey

Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey flyer: Let's create the future we want

As part of BSCS’ Public Health Department Mass in Motion grant, we are asking for your help in completing and distributing this survey. The data will be used for DPH and partners to determine how to spend funds and improve programming and policies. The data will be publicly available for anyone. The survey is open to anyone 12+ and available in 11 languages.

Complete or share the survey here:
www.mass.gov/HealthSurvey

Quincy Family Resource Center Coat Drive

Quincy Family Resource Center Winter Coat Drive flyer

BSCS’ Quincy Family Resource Center is collecting new or gently used coats for children and youth ages 0-18 to help local families stay warm during the cold winter months.

Drop-off Location: 1120 Hancock Street, 1st Floor
Drop-off Hours: During regular business hours

Can’t donate a coat? You can still help by donating online here.
Click here to download the flyer

The deadline to drop off donations is October 30th.

Updates and Events

Dorchester-Mattapan Family Resource Center participants at the Red Sox Novatos Hispanic Heritage event
Impact Quincy at QARI’s August Moon Festival
Outpatient Recovery Coaching at Stairway’s Recovery event
BSCS at Internaional Overdose Awareness Day at the Boston Commons
A New Way Peer Recovery Support Center’s Overdose Awareness Flag Planting Ceremony
MyPiR’s Statewide Summit at Turn Back Time

MOAR’s 36th Recovery Day Celebration

-MOAR to come!

Upcoming Events

PFRC’s Trunk-or-Treat | Oct 2nd, 4 pm- 6pm | Plymouth Family Resource Center, 430-3 Court St, Plymouth

Boston CJSC’s Open House | Oct 7th, 1 pm- 3pm | 78 Amory Street, Boston

Plymouth CJSC’s Open House | Oct 14th, 1 pm- 3pm | 61 Industrial Park Rd, Suite 3 Plymouth

QFRC’s Trunk-or-Treat | Oct 23rd, 4:30 pm- 5:30pm | Quincy Family Resource Center, 1120 Hancock Street, Quincy

Boston Health Fair | Oct 31st, 10 am- 1 pm | Roxbury Community College, Boston

Quincy CJSC’s Open House | Nov 4th, 1 pm- 3pm | 1515 Hancock St, Suite 404 Quincy

Woburn CJSC’s Open House | Dec 3rd, 1 pm- 3pm | 55-65 Tower Office Park, Woburn

Bay State Community Services Healing Hearts Group: A supportive space to heal from unhealthy relationships, rebuild confidence, and develop skills for healthier, safer connections