A statewide committee came together to design a vibrant, productive agenda for this year's summit.
View the 2020 virtual Recovery Community Summit welcome letter, agenda, and panel descriptions below!
We are excited to welcome you to the 2nd Annual Virtual Recovery Community Summit! In deference to the extraordinary organizing work going on across Oregon’s recovery community, the theme of this year’s Summit is Building Community, Building Power.
Recovery has a history of anonymity and it has been difficult to build recovery communities that are larger than our own programs. However, thanks to the courageous work done in Oregon over the past three years by many of you, the recovery community has emerged from church basements and hospital meeting rooms into the light of day. And because of the strong community we now have, we are beginning to build power. The power to transform policy in Salem. The power to stand up to “Big Alcohol.” The power to end Oregon’s addiction crisis.
The last five months have been anything but ordinary. We struggled individually and as a community to maintain our recovery--and support our clients and family members in recovery-- despite an inability to gather in person for our “meetings”, when our financial stability was threatened, and when the isolation of social distancing seemed too much to bear. In spite of all that, every one of you is with us today. There is true power in participating in this event, and we hope that it will provide opportunities for you to reconnect with your community and build bridges to new friends and colleagues all over the state. By participating in the Summit, you are making our recovery community stronger and, hopefully, strengthening your own recovery.
We know that a virtual event is not the same as meeting with your peers in person. However, our amazing RCS Planning Committee has worked tirelessly to design a virtual meeting space that has opportunities for you to connect with other recovery community members in new and unique ways. We want you to share ideas and create bonds that will last far into the future. This summit is not only two days of education, it is a chance to create relationships that will last long after the panels and workshops have finished.
Finally, Oregon Recovers has big plans for 2021 and we’re going to need your help! Please be sure to stick around for the Closing Session to learn about how you can help us affect sweeping systems change in the next year. The Recovery Community Summit is a continuation of the diverse, engaging and energetic community that Oregon Recovers has been building over the last three years and we’re excited to take our collective power to the next level!
Welcome!

Co-Chair

Co-Chair

Executive Director
Our 2020 Agenda:
Please understand that some programming is tentative and may be moved to other time slots to accommodate the participants’ schedules.
Wednesday, August 19th
Thursday, August 20th
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Individual Recovery Meetings
3:00pm - 3:15pm: Welcome with Mike Marshall & Tony Vezina
Moderator: Deandre Kenyajui
4:00pm - 5:20pm: Panels & Workshops
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Personal Growth: What's a Family To Do?Moderator: Dominique Simon-Levine, PhD, MPH, Allies in Recovery
Panelists: Senator Lew Frederick (D), Oregon/District 22; Cordelia Kraus, LPC, CADC-I, Vital Spaces LLC; Lynn Emmons, LCSW, RN, CADC-I; Jen Stratton, LPC, Crestview Recovery
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The Science of Addiction and Recovery: Psilocybin Therapies in Addiction Treatment
Speakers: Sam Chapman, Campaign Manager, Psilocybin Service Initiative (Prop 34). -
Cultivating Leadership: Centering Anti-Racism in Mutual Aid MeetingsModerator: Tony Vezina, Executive Director, 4D Recovery
Panelists: Mark Harris, MA, CADC-I, MAC, Professor at University of Oregon and Lane Community College, Lucy Zammarelli, MA, CADC-III, Supervisor, LaneCare Program
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Policy: Racial Disparities in TreatmentModerator: Larry Turner, African American Specific Addictions Benefit Coordinator, Multnomah CountyPanelists: Anthony Jordan, Addictions Services Manager, Multnomah County; and Miguel Tellez, Executive Director, NW Instituto Latino
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Personal Growth: Oregon Record Expungement Clinic
Facilitator: Michael Zhang, Community Law Division Metropolitan Public Defender
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Cultivating Leadership: Running for office as a person in recovery
Speakers: Basilio Sandoval, Centro Latino Americano; Mario Cardenas, Volunteers of America - Oregon; Paul Bryant, Director of Addiction Medicine, Kaiser Permanente; and Adrian Burris, 4D Recovery
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Cultivating Leadership: Running for office as a person in recoveryModerator: Mike Marshall, Executive Director, Oregon Recovers
Panelists: Tera Hurst, Past Portland City Council Candidate; Ramiro Navarro Jr., Candidate for House District 25 State Representative; and Betsy Hodges, 47th Mayor of Minneapolis
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Policy: Big Alcohol Harms: How the alcohol industry has undermined recoveryModerator: Andrew Swanson, Policy and Advocacy Director, Oregon RecoversPanelists: Tiffany Hall, Recover Alaska; and Vinny DeMarco, Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative
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African American Caucus
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Asian - Pacific Islander Caucus
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Latinx Caucus
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Native American Caucus
- Ally Caucus
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Individual Recovery Meetings
3:00pm - 3:15pm: Day 2 Kickoff: Why This Work Matters
3:20pm - 4:25pm: Panels & Workshops
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Personal Growth: Picking a Program: Which Recovery Program is Right for You?Moderator: Kitty Martz, CGRM, CGAC II, MBA
Panelists: Rachel Hatcher, 4D Recovery; Jason Umtuk, Wellbriety; Roger Oaks, Refuge Recovery
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The Science of Addiction and Recovery: The Science of Recovery: It's not magic!Moderator: Mercedes Elizalde, Public Policy Director, Central City Concern
Panelists: Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson, PsyD, Executive Director, Friends of Recovery New York; and Dr. Brian Couey, PsyD, Hazelden Betty Ford
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Cultivating Leadership: Fundraising in the NOW Normal
Speakers: Dwight Adkins, Swaim Strategies; Sama Shagaga, Swaim Strategies
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Policy: Building Local Power: Passing a local recovery resolutionModerator: Teri Morgan, Springfield Treatment Center
Panelists: Bonnie Windham, City of Eugene; and Dora Best, La Clinica
4:30pm - 5:20pm: Panels & Workshops
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Personal Growth: Going Back to School: Turning challenges into successesModerator: Ashlei Fraser, BS, CADCII
Panelists: Mercy Barnes, BS, CADC-r; Laura Chiavaralle, CRM, CADC-r
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The Science of Addiction and Recovery: Smashing Stigma: Evolving Views on MATModerator: Eric Martin, MAC, CADC III, PRC, CPS, Director of Policy, Compliance & Legislation, MHACBO
Panelists: Teri Morgan, Springfield Treatment Center; Joe Lunievicz, Stop Stigma Now, Dr. Billie Cartwright, PA, Mosaic Medical
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Cultivating Leadership: How to organize an expungement clinic in your community
Moderator: Michael Zhang, Community Law Division Metropolitan Public Defender
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Policy: Promoting Recovery: High school and collegiate programsModerator: Devin Miles, MS, PhD candidate
Panelists: Barbara Collins, Principal, Mission HS; Josh Lokeno, Mentor, FIR; Angie Bryan, MA, MEd, MFT, Counselor/Recovery Specialist & Recovery Program Manager, UC Santa Barbara; and Dharma Mirzak, OSU Student
5:30pm - 6:20pm: Caucuses
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African American Caucus
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Asian - Pacific Islander Caucus
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Latinx Caucus
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Native American Caucus
- Ally Caucus
6:30pm - 7:45pm: Closing Keynote: Lived Experience: How it guides advocacy and policy
7:45pm - 8:00pm: Closing Session
Panel and Workshop Descriptions:
Cultivating Leadership
Lucy Zammarelli, MA, CADC-III, Supervisor at LaneCare Program
How do we as individuals fight racism in our own recovery communities? This workshop focuses on the challenges faced by BIPOC individuals in recovery communities, and how to overcome them by taking ownership of your own recovery spaces.
Dwight Adkins Sama Shagaga
As every nonprofit reimagines their services and programs—working harder than ever to provide for the increasing need—the fundraising landscape is changing.
This introductory session will take a look at
the impact of crisis on fundraising, preliminary research being conducted on the donor mindset and projections for what is ahead. Never before has this sector had to evolve so quickly, and now your fundraising plans need to shift and modify quickly—if not, quicker. We will provide clear recommendations to focus on now and what to anticipate this fall.
Michael Zhang, Community Law Division Metropolitan Public Defender
Many individuals in both early and longterm recovery have some kind of criminal record that often becomes a barrier to longterm recovery, career growth, and even accessing student loans. Join Michael Zhang, founder of RecordSponge, and learn how to set up a record expungement clinics in your county and help our community thrive!
Tera Hurst, Past Portland City Council candidate
Ramiro Navarro Jr. (HD25)
Betsy Hodges 47th Mayor of Minneapolis
As the recovery community continues to build power and cultivate local leaders, it’s critical to look to the future of our government. Running for office as a person open about thier recovery is a new and exciting chapter in our movement that will guide communities toward effective addiction policy and bring our disease out of the shadows. Join Tera Hurst, Ramiro Navarro, and Mike Marshall as they discuss the power of being “out” and running for office.
The Science of Addiction and Recovery
Dr. Angelia Smith-Wilson, PsyD, Executive Director, Friends of Recovery New York
We’ve been trying to understand addiction for centuries. What about recovery? In this discussion, learn about the emerging field of recovery science and how it can support people in recovery while also informing providers, educators and policy makers.
Tom & Sheri Eckert, therapists and the co-chief petitioners of the Psilocybin Therapy Measure
Psilocybin and other hallucinogens have recently made headlines about thier potential for mental health treatment. Whats the all the hype about? Join Tom & Sheri Eckert, two researchers in psilocybin therapy as they explain what this all means and how psilocybin may help people with Substance Use Disorder.
Paul Bryant, Director Addiction Medicine at Kaiser Permanente
The COVID-19 Pandemic has reshaped treatment and recovery services overnight, but it has also laid bare the inequities and challenges faced by those who don’t have access to technology. As virtual recovery supports and virtual care become the new normal, our community must begin to look at strategies to ensure that everyone in the recovery community has access to safe and effective treatment and recovery. Join Basilio Sandoval, Paul Bryant, and Mario Cardenas as they discuss the benefits, challenges and barriers to this new landscape.
Joe Lunievicz
Billie Cartwright
Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) existed for a long time in the gray area of recovery. A stigma exists around its use among family, friends, doctors, and employers. Join experts in the field of MAT as they discuss their experiences combating the stigma that surrounds MAT and how you can apply their experiences.
Policy
Wednesday, August 19, 4-5:20pm
Miguel Tellez, NW Instituto Latino Executive Director
Join individuals across Oregon as they discuss the racial inequities that exist within addiction treatment and how to combat them.
Andrew Swanson
Tiffany Hall
Vinny DeMarco
You’ve heard the phrases Big Tobacco, Big Oil and Big Pharma. But what about Big Alcohol? As the single largest contributor to the addiction crisis in Oregon and a powerful force in Oregon politics, it’s time we start to look at Big Alcohol more critically and understand the role their money plays in stopping sensible public health policies. Join Tiffany Hall, Executive Director of Recover Alaska, nationally recognized political organizer Vinny DeMarco, and Andrew Swanson as they discuss Big Alcohol and the strategies we can use to beat them.
Bonnie Windham
Dora Best
Have you noticed something wrong in your own community? Do you want to help make a change but don’t know where to start? Join our guests as they discuss their own experiences in passing local resolutions, their success, failures, and strategies which you can implement in your own community.
Angie Bryan, MA, MEd, MFT, Counselor/Recovery Specialist & Recovery Program Manager, UC Santa Barbara
Panelists will address recovery programs on high school and college campuses as part of a continuum of care for youth and young adults. We’ll provide historical context and touch on how programs can be developed, funded, and structured. We’ll also discuss diversity/equity issues, student supports, and impact/outcomes.
Personal Growth
Cordelia Kraus, LPC, CADC-I, Vital Spaces LLC
Lynn Emmons, LCSW, RN, CADC-I
Jen Stratton, LPC, Crestview Recovery
Panelists will discuss how families can use the science of motivation and change to help loved ones with substance use disorder -- while steering clear of outdated concepts such as tough love, enabling and rock bottom. Participants will also learn how to stay more grounded when loved ones are using.
Michael Zhang, Community Law Division Metropolitan Public Defender
Do you have a record that has inhibited your ability to get a job, go to school, or live the life you want? Join Michael Zhang as he leads a record expungement clinic which will help you to clear your past so you can start thinking about your future.
Kitty Martz, CGRM, CGAC II, MBA
Learn from individuals who have practiced
different recovery programs what each of those programs look like, and what program is right for you. Panelists will speak on their experiences in Recovery Dharma, SMART recovery, Wellbriety, and Narcotics Anonymous.
Mercy Barnes, BS, CADC-r
Laura Chiavaralle, CRM, CADC-r
A “How To” workshop for addressing barriers, learning solutions, and receiving support when exploring whether or not and how to return to school whilst being in recovery.
Please understand that some programming is tentative and may be moved to other time slots to accommodate the participants’ schedules.
