dcrecovery.org

Empowerment Summit
2024-09-24 15:00 - 18:30 UTC
D.C.’s 1st Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit!!!
Come and join us on September 24th, 2024 for the celebration of D.C.’s 1st Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit. An illustrious group of speakers, community partners, and community leaders will gather at DC Recovery’s Peer Operated Center from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Refreshments, raffles, and prizes will be apart of this educational, motivational, and overall fun-filled day.
See you soon!
DC Recovery Community Alliance
5656A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20011
(202) 916-5592

Addressing Stigma In Our Communities
2024-09-27 12:00 - 15:00
When it comes to overdoses caused by opioids, the highest rates of death were in West Virginia, where 49.6 out of every 100,000 persons died from an opioid-involved overdose death. Coming in second was Ohio with an opioid overdose rate of 39.2. The third highest rates of death occurred in Washington, D.C., where the rate was 34.7. These numbers and rankings for opioid-related overdoses are unacceptable and therefore organizations like DC Recovery and community providers will continue to ban together to one day eradicate these overdoses and all illnesses related to substance use disorders (SUD).
On Friday, September 27th, 2024, Community Bridges, Oxford House, Volunteers of America, and DC Recovery joined forces at our Peer Operated Center to discuss how to combat the stigma surrounding SUD. The awesome turnout of providers, clinicians, and community participants provided the conversation and education needed to better serve those in the communities who are on the courageous road to long-term recovery. Catered food, educational bags of handouts, bottled waters, hand sanitizers and NARCAN were some of the valuables distributed.
This was certainly an event that will periodically occur and remain on the radar of community servants and providers.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20011
(202) 916-5592

The Variety Show (Featuring Linda Elliott) - Sept 28th
2024-09-28 18:00 - 21:00
DC Recovery’s end-of-the-month Variety Show packed with comedians, musicians, poets, bands, and much much more was a big hit on September 28th, 2024. This month’s show spotlighted Linda Elliott: a singer, actress, and screenwriter delivered an inspiring performance!
All are welcome so come join us for fellowship, laughter, and overall fun with an open mic. See you there!
The doors opened at 6:00 pm and showtime was from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with refreshments served. Look out for future upcoming variety shows the last Saturday of every month! The dates are below. We look forward to seeing you.
Upcoming Remaining 2024 Variety Shows
October 26th
November 30th
December 28th
Location:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
Music By: Tim Gant aka “DJ GGT”
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot

Mobilize Recovery Bus Tour 2024
2024-10-09 13:00 - 17:00
https://dcrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Final-Bus-Tiour-Video.mp4

We are honored to participate with partnering organizations and community leaders in this year’s Mobilize Recovery Bus Tour 2024! The Bus Tour organized by Mobilize Recovery (MR) is a cross-country event with stops in the Washington, D.C. area in the October. Join us on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 when DC Recovery will be participating with MR, community advocates, and allies to help educate the public and bring hope for long-term recovery.
Block off your calendars and join us at DC’s Chinatown on this important day!
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

The Variety Show (October 26th)
2024-10-26 18:00 - 21:00
October’s Variety Show was another huge success! Mr. Roger Wright alias Tobal daGriot (CEO) of Raisin Da Bottom Productions held its 13th year anniversary celebration at the Recovery Community Alliance Peer Operated Center on Saturday October 26th 2024. Dozens of patrons were able to enjoy a live performance by Count Crackula and his zombie minions. The protagonist delivered harrowing tales of drug addiction like Tales from the Crypt and Dope Man’s Slave. They were also sharing humor in the form of skits with the law and relationships and an open mic! The monthly raffle gave all the potential opportunity to win Cash Money/Gas Money prizes. They ended the evening with refreshments for everyone. Tobal and his team made the celebration a tremendous success.
Check out the photos! Great job, Tobal and Team!
We have two more Variety shows left in 2024: November 30th and December 28th. Do not miss the Variety Show. It is packed with comedians, musicians, poets, bands, and much much more for a big hit. All are welcome so come join us for fellowship, laughter, and overall fun with an open mic. See you there!
The doors will open at 6:00 pm and showtime is from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with refreshments served. Look out for future upcoming variety shows the last Saturday of every month! The dates are below. We look forward to seeing you.
Remaining 2024 Variety Shows
November 30th
December 28th
Location:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
Music By: Tim Gant aka “DJ GGT”
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot

The Variety Show (A Family Affair featuring Reverb)
2024-11-30 17:00 - 19:00
DC Recovery’s end-of-the-month Variety Show packed with comedians, musicians, poets, bands, and much much more is always a big hit. Join us on Saturday, November 30th for this month’s Variety Show featuring Reverb! All are welcome so come join us for fellowship, laughter, and overall fun.
Doors open at 4:00 pm and showtime is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with refreshments served. Don’t forget to sign up between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm for the open mic for audience participation. Look out for future upcoming variety shows the last Saturday of every month! The dates are below. We look forward to seeing you on November 30th.
Remaining 2024 Variety Shows
December 28th
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org

The Variety Show (December 28th)
2024-12-28 16:00 - 19:00
The only way to end a year and usher in a new year is with fun, laughter, fellowship, and do it all with purpose! That’s what happened at the December 28th Variety Show. The event was held by Raisin’ da Bottom Productions and DC Recovery Community Alliance and was filled with comedians, musicians, poets, and more and as always was a big hit. There was excellent participation with a host of talented open mic performers and snacks provided. The doors opened at 4:00 pm and showtime was from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
We will make 2025 an even more productive year than 2024 and we look forward to a continued partnership with our DC residents, community providers like Raisin’ da Bottom Productions, and all who are interested in magnifying SUD awareness to this nation’s greatest city, Washington, D.C. To accomplish such meaningful purpose while uplifting one another is always the way to go.
See you soon.

Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
Dates will be soon published!

The 2025 Variety Show - It's Reverb Time!
2025-01-25 17:00 - 19:00
They did it! They showed up and showed out at Saturday, January 25th’s Variety Show! Saturday was a true indicator that 2025 is the year of prosperous minds, bodies, and souls! Variety Show attendees started the year off right with the talented acapella group, REVERB, and innovative stage participants. The show did not disappoint and was a hit to remember.
Come and experience upcoming Raisin’ da Bottom Productions and DC Recovery Community Alliance’s end-of-the-month Variety Show with comedians, musicians, poets, and more. The doors open at 4:00 pm and showtime is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm but meanwhile, check out the pictures from this past show.
Hope to see you at our next show on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.

LIVE. LONG. DC. Opioid Summit
2025-01-29 13:00 - 16:00
LIVE. LONG. DC. (LLDC), the District’s strategic plan to reduce opioid use, misuse, and related deaths, came together on January 29th, 2025 to discuss the trends that are shaping this moment, agree on opportunities to amplify impact across the continuum of care as one group, refresh and build new face-to-face community connections that drive our shared actions going forward and re-energize LLDC frontline community honored for the work being done and reminded of the value they deliver every day.

2-Day Course: Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches
2025-02-07 - 2025-02-08
Maintaining the sincerity, integrity, and professionalism of our Recovery Coaches is a key priority at DC Recovery Community Alliance (DC Recovery). We work hard to ensure that our content is up-to-date for our “Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches” course. This helps our existing Recovery Coaches and provide guidance to upcoming Recovery Coaches in maintaining professional boundaries and addressing challenges while supporting the clients.
We have considered the unique responsibilities of being a Recovery Coach, which involve making ethical and critical decisions every day. Therefore, this course is the best opportunity for participants to learn the various ethical challenges they may encounter while doing the work. We aim to ensure they feel more confident making peer-advocate decisions as Recovery Coaches.
2-Day Course: Ethical Considerations for Recovery Coaches
8:00 am – 5:00 pm (both days)
Friday, February 7, 2025 and
Saturday, February 8, 2025

CSOSA's Resource Fair (March 13th)
2025-03-13 10:00 - 14:00
Department of Corrections’ The READY Center is not just any community resource but it is “The Resources to Empower and Develop You” Center and the latest Resource Fair contributed to this illustrious reputation. In collaboration with CSOSA, The READY Center hosted a resource fair on March 13th, 2025 and asked it partners such as DC Recovery to participate. Armed with valuable information distributed to the attendees, DC Recovery was delighted to attend and to help meet The READY Center’s and CSOSA’s objectives to provide resources to the community and connect CSOSA’s supportive housing residents and supervisees to essential services. And they did just that! What a turn-out!
The event’s attendees consisted of Outreach Professionals such as the Director of DC Recovery, Mark Lassiter and Community Outreach Coordinator, Brian Person in addition to many other contributing partners. Take a look at some of the photos collected on this productive and objective-meeting day. What a treasure.
The Resource Fair Location: The READY Center, 3640 Martin Luther King JR Avenue, Washington, DC 20032

CCAR Recovery Coach Training
2025-03-19 08:00 - 17:00
Instructor Anna Mable-Jones, CCEP, RCP, CPRS , NCPRSS and DC Recovery Community Alliance hit it out of the ball park once again with the success of Wednesday, March 19th’s CCAR Recovery Coach Training. With participation and expectations high for such an important session, students were not disappointed as they learned core recovery coaching principles to more than adequately support the courageous folks in long-term wellness recovery.
Well done DC Recovery for your continued support in our communities!
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

The Variety Show! March 29th, 2025. It's RokBotm!
2025-03-29 17:00 - 19:00
Just another big deal!
Yes! The March 29th Variety Show hosted by Tobal daGriot was another big deal! Raisin’ da Bottom Productions’ Variety Show held at DC Recovery is always an event to remember and one to remember to attend because of the powerful force of assembling. The partnership brings together local talent and residents on the last Saturday of every month for fun, networking, and exposure and the March 29th show delivered just that. With large attendance, the platform introduced the first DC-based recovery band, RokBotm (pronounced Rock Bottom). The poets, the musicians, the residents, and let’s not forget the children all laughed, smiled, and enjoyed the festivities together. Now, that’s the way to do it!
For continued enjoyment, click the link below and pass the word that there’s a new talent on the block, RokBotm!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD76AGSH0RA
Come and experience upcoming Raisin’ da Bottom Productions and DC Recovery Community Alliance’s end-of-the-month Variety Show with comedians, musicians, poets, and more. Snacks are served. The doors open at 4:00 pm and showtime is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm but meanwhile, check out the pictures from the March 29th show.
Hope to see you at our next show.
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.

4th Annual DC Engage Harm Reduction Conference: Dream, Engage, Transform
2025-04-07 09:00 - 17:00
DC Recovery actively seeks opportunities to learn from our community resource partners for providing wellness solutions to our D.C. residents. To adhere to this goal, we attended the “4th Annual DC Engage Harm Reduction Conference: Dream, Engage, Transform” Conference on Monday, April 7th, 2025. A gift that surely will keep giving, the DC Health and HealthHIV Team pulled out all stops when they diligently gathered community advisors, providers, and residents to keep us up-to-date with the recent trends, approaches, and challenges in harm reduction. The conference also provided a venue to discuss strategies for meeting the diverse needs of marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+, Black women, and children while maintaining the focus on harm reduction initiatives.
Bringing together providers and residents always lends way to building new partnerships and expanding existing resources. This helps to accomplish our main objective: to serve the residents.
Conference Location:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
901 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20011
(202) 916-5592

DC Walk 4 Recovery - April 26, 2025
2025-04-26 08:00 - 16:00
The “DC Walk 4 Recovery” at the National Mall on April 26th successfully represented the mission: “to bring awareness, education, hope, and solutions to the challenges of co-occurring disorders—conditions where addiction and mental health issues exist together”. Since 2018, the organizers, sponsors, participants, and sideline cheerleaders have all contributed to growing this powerful gathering of solidarity and unity to magnify the mission and to sweat for a purpose – there’s nothing better than that! 🙂 DC Recovery Community Alliance was delighted to help sponsor this event and to make available at their provider’s table recovery and healing information for the public.
Take a look at the pictures in this article and check out the website at https://www.dcwalk4recovery.com/ for more snapshots of the April 26th event and for more information to help encourage you to participate next year.
Remember, the Power of Hope prevails.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

The Variety Show! April 26, 2025
2025-04-26 17:00 - 19:00
Community support + Talented performers = First Class!
When the two factors of “community support” and “talented performers” are added together, we get “First Class!” and that’s what the April 26th Variety Show hosted by Tobal daGriot was – “First Class!” Once again, Raisin’ da Bottom Productions’ Variety Show at DC Recovery’s location demonstrated that we are greater when we pool our resources together. Poets, musicians, actors, music, and the audience all contributed in yet another successful event and what better way to end the week with comradery and snacks.
The Variety Show highlights the partnership between Raisin’ da Bottom Production, DC Recovery, and the community on the last Saturday of every month to showcase local talent. So come and experience this family event and share the joy. The doors open at 4:00 pm and showtime is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm but meanwhile, check out the pictures from the April 26th show.
Hope to see you at our next show.
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.

The Variety Show! Poet Rob Brown
2025-05-31 17:00 - 19:00
It happened again – another great evening featuring great local talent at the May 31st Variety Show hosted by Tobal daGriot. Once again, Raisin’ da Bottom Productions’ Variety Show at DC Recovery’s location showcased and proved that the District is filled with talented poets, musicians, actors, music, and one such talent is Poet Rob Brown, DC’s own. Yes! We claim him! What a thorough poet who has the makings of international success.
The Variety Show highlights the partnership between Raisin’ da Bottom Production, DC Recovery, and the community on the last Saturday of every month to showcase local talent. So come and experience this family event and share the joy. The doors open at 4:00 pm and showtime is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm but meanwhile, check out the pictures from the May 31st show.
Hope to see you at our next show.
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program (RSAT)
2025-06-05 08:00 - 17:00
Selected participants from the District of Columbia’s Department of Corrections (D.C. DOC) Central Detention Facility (CDF) and the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) graduated from D.C. DOC’s 120-day voluntary Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program (RSAT). The program offers substance use disorder treatment, referrals to health and mental health treatment, and linkages for community-based treatment, housing, employment and other services all through a team of licensed and certified clinicians. The clinicians deliver the on-site substance use treatment services, along with contractors and volunteers to all participants.
On June 5, 2025, DC Recovery’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Brian Person, was honored to attend and participate in the RSAT graduation services. DC Recovery cannot say enough about D.C. DOC’s efforts in providing Level 3.1 Clinically Managed Low Intensity Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services to Adults through the RSAT program and we look forward to a continued successful partnership with Cathy Voss, LICSW and her team at RSAT.
Way to go D.C. DOC for your support towards a drug-free community.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

Varick Memorial Church - "Healthy Nutritional Values - Food For Thought"
2025-06-06 08:00 - 17:00
The media focuses on the importance of making good nutritional choices when it comes to weight maintenance, but we cannot forget how important nutrition is to full-term recovery. Varick Memorial Church located at 255 Anacostia Avenue N.E. got it right when they held their “Healthy Nutritional Values -Food For Thought” community conference on Friday, June 6, 2025. DC Recovery partnered with Voices of America attended the conference and presented community services and resources information to attendees. DC Recovery’s nutritional take-aways learned from the conference are in-line with their peer-supported programs and moving forward DC Recovery’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Brian Person and his team, will distribute the nutritional information to those they serve in the community.
Thank you Messrs. J. McCain, N. Cousart, and Belser Bey from Voices of America for your partnership and many thanks to Varick Memorial Church for hosting such a valuable conference.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

National Call To Action & Hill Day
2025-06-08 08:00 - 2025-06-11 17:00
DC Recovery joined Faces & Voices of Recovery at the Recovery Leadership Summit (RLS) for the “National Call to Action & Hill Day” on June 8-11,2025, the first day was very eventful. It started with a “Welcoming Networking Session” with food and beverages served in the upper level of the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Alexandria, Va. We later had breakout sessions where I had the honor of facilitating a breakout session titled, “Strength and Structure – Growing Peer Leadership from the Ground Up” with the help of Demetrius Jones. The purpose of this meeting was to “Connect with your peers to explore how strong organizational infrastructure and peer leadership pipelines fuel sustainable recovery movements. This conversation space brings together current leaders to share models and tools for supervision that uplift peers and volunteers as a long-term strategy to build Future Leaders who will carry on the legacy and keep the recovery movement alive”. There were other break-out sessions with other groups and ended with an “All Recovery” meeting. (See attached photos of Day 1 of the RLS)
Here is the post of Day 3’s events:

DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

2025 America Honors Recovery Gala Dinner!
2025-06-10 18:30 - 21:00
What a night! On June 10 2025, DC Recovery attended Faces & Voices of Recovery’s Annual America Honors Recovery (AHR) Gala Dinner to support the acknowledgement of those warriors who put their pedals to the metals in the recovery advocacy movement. They are pioneers. They are innovators. They are champions. But most of all, they are true advocates who stand up for the rights of people with substance use disorders. To state the eloquent quote by Lawrence Medina, AHR’s Board Chairperson who referenced the urgency to advocate – “the shared mission is to dismantle stigma, expand access, and affirm every person’s right to recover with dignity.” And, the gala supported that effort by celebrating outstanding trailblazers.
Well done, Faces & Voices of Recovery and much appreciative for your nationwide work throughout the years!
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

Volunteers of America & Varick Memorial Church - Dual Diagnosis Awareness
2025-06-20 11:00 - 15:00
People with co-occurring disorders require tailored treatment support designed to face the unique challenges from having both mental disorders and substance use disorders. Raising the awareness is a crucial part of providing the needed support and partners such as Volunteers of America (VOA) and Varick Memorial AME Zion Church (VMC) answered the call on June 20, 2025 when they held the event, “Dual Diagnosis Awareness”, at VMC’s location at 255 Anacostia Avenue N.E. Washington, D.C. 20019.
Another community partner, DC Recovery, was in attendance as presenters and attendees to provide informational resources that support the courageous folks battling dual-diagnosis. Thank you VOA, VMC, and DC Recovery for your continued support and for being a foundational rock for the community.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

It's Comedy Night at The Variety Show!
2025-06-28 17:00 - 19:00
D.C.! Are you ready? Grab your funny bone because Raisin’ da Bottom Productions presents Comedy Night at The Variety Show and we are proud to bring you one of our own home-grown comedians. You saw him hailing from D.C.’s electrifying streets. You saw him on DEF Comedy Jam. He is national, international, and just a dang-on-captivating comedian! He’s the one and only, KEVIN ANTHONY!
Want to laugh until your sides hurt? Are you looking forward to lockjaw from jokes, jokes, on top of jokes? Well Kevin Anthony won’t disappoint so come on out and support one of our local talents on June 28th, 2025.
Our Variety Shows have family! Our Variety Shows have food! And, our Variety Shows have major local entertainment! Open Mic spots available to showcase your talent. Doors open at 4:00pm and the show is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Hope to see you on June 28th!
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.

The Variety Show! It's Ol Head Kennyman!
2025-07-26 17:00 - 19:00
Fun! Fun! Fun! That is the best way to describe Raisin’ da Bottom Productions’ July 26th Variety Show at DC Recovery Community Alliance. Showcasing DC’s talents and freestyle artist, Ol Head Kennyman proved to be a success. Take a look at the pictures from the event and plan to join us for upcoming Variety Shows on the last Saturday of every month.
Our Variety Shows have family! Our Variety Shows have food! And, our Variety Shows have major local entertainment! Open Mic spots available to showcase your talent. Doors open at 4:00pm and the show is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Hope to see you at the next Variety Show on Saturday, August 30th!
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.

Int'l Overdose Awareness Observance Day - Ward 6
2025-08-26 11:00 - 14:00
This is an important day! The International observance of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st. But this annual observance is so important that Wards 5 & 6 DC Prevention Center also recognized the importance of honoring our residential heroes with a networking event that took place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 pm at the Westminster Church, 400 I Street SW, Washington, DC. 20024. Attendees learned the many local resources available to our DC community.
Both local and international observances honor the lives lost to overdose, support those who are grieving, promote prevention, and raise awareness about the impact of substance use in our communities. DC Recovery attended the DC Prevention Center’s event along with community members, stakeholders, and partners who share a commitment to prevention, recovery, and healing.
Day/Time: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Westminster Church, 400 I Street SW, Washington, DC. 20024.

The Variety Show - It's Dr. Rebecca Dupas!
2025-08-30 17:00 - 19:00
What an uplifting way to end the summer at Raisin’ da Bottom’s Variety Show held at DC Recovery Community Alliance on Saturday, August 30th. The event featured Dr. Rebecca Dupas, the Author, the Poet, and the Motivator and on Saturday, she lived up to those glorious titles. And, what a creative and original poem Dr. Dupas recited, “Grand Ma” – a perfect expression of her emotions and experiences with her grandmother. Check out the recording of her performance here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NhhKFFb–k.
The two-time “Poet of Year” award-winner was a perfect fit for a Show that is always filled with gifted comedians, musicians, poets, and more and as always, a big hit. The doors opened at 4:00 pm and showtime was from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Raisin’ da Bottom’s Variety Shows have family! The Variety Shows have food! And, the Variety Shows have major local entertainment and talented artists, all showcasing at DC Recovery! Open Mic spots are always available to display your talent. DC residents, community providers like Raisin’ da Bottom Productions, and all who are interested in magnifying peace and recovery to this nation’s greatest city, Washington, D.C. —
We look forward to seeing you at upcoming Variety Shows on the last Saturday of every month.
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.
To accomplish such meaningful purpose while uplifting one another is always the way to go.
See you soon.

Recovery Month 2025 Kickoff Luncheon!
2025-09-04 12:00 - 14:00
SAMHSA and it’s national and local partners such as Faces & Voices of Recovery and DC Recovery Community Alliance are once again relentless with their objective to stamp out substance use disorders and they have proven that acknowledgement and recognition are key to this major effort. That is why on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at Union Station in Washington, D.C., Faces & Voices of Recovery and Mobilize Recovery hosted the Recovery Month Kick-Off Luncheon. With numerous guest speakers such as Anna Jones, a Faces & Voices Board Member and Community Liaison at Community Bridges, Inc. and Congressman Paul Tonko, New York’s 20th Congressional District and Co-Chair of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus, the event was well-received by the community, federal and local partners, and their sponsors.
The two-hour event spotlighted the continual strides made with the power of recovery and celebrated with the Ramstad/Kennedy Award those individuals who have demonstrated their fierce leadership in support of recovery efforts made nationally and locally.
Well done Faces & Voices of Recovery and Mobilize Recovery and thanks to DC Recovery Community Alliance for your consistent participation in special events like the National Recovery Kick-Off Luncheon.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
Peer Operated Center
5656A 3rd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592

Mobilize Recovery - Women's Empowerment 2025
2025-09-18 11:00 - 15:00 | DC Recovery Peer Operated Center, 5656-A 3rd Street, N.E., Washington, DC, 20011, United States
Join DC Recovery Community Alliance and their faithful community partners at the 2nd Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit on September 18, 2025 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. The event will be held at DC Recovery’s Peer Operated Center located at 5656-A 3rd Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20011.
The Speakers and Community Partners’ mission is to inspire those who are on their journey and provide these heroes with the resources they need to live full, productive, and healthy lives.
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org

Recovery Forum: Avenues To Recovery
2025-09-23 08:30 - 16:30 | Miracle Theatre, 538 8th Street, S.E., Washington, DC, 20003, United States
On September 23rd from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, The Opioid Response Network (ORN) in partnership with The Recovery Advocacy Project and Mobilize Recovery hosted a regional summit at the historical Miracle Theatre located at 538 8th Street, S.E. Washington D.C. 20003.

8:30am – Check In

9:00am – 9:30am
Dr. Barbara Bazron, Director, DC Dept of Behavioral Health
Opening Remarks

9:30am – 10:50am
Dr. Deborah Rose

Neurobiology of Addiction: Understanding the Brain to Support Recovery

This talk will discuss the brain-based mechanisms that drive addiction and influence the path to recovery. Dr. Deborah Rose, a behavioral neurologist, breaks down how changes in reward, stress, and executive function circuits contribute to compulsive substance use, and how those same circuits can be reshaped through treatment, connection, and recovery. The goal is to offer a deeper understanding of what people struggling with addiction are up against, and how we can better support their recovery. Addiction is not a failure of willpower, but a treatable brain disease with multiple pathways to healing.

Break – 10mins

11:00am – 12:20pm
Dr. Shekila Melchior
A Somatic Approach to Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

This session explores how somatic approaches can enhance treatment for individuals navigating substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Attendees will learn how the autonomic nervous system shapes symptoms and how trauma manifests in the body. The presenter will introduce Somatic Experiencing as a modality, with an emphasis on integrating somatic practices into culturally responsive care. Participants will also engage in brief experiential activities to gain practical tools for supporting clients on their healing journey.
Lunch 12:20 – 1pm
1pm – 2pm
Anna Mable Jones, Donald Whitehead and Mark Lassiter
Recovery Panel: Avenues to Recovery
Break – 10mins
2:10pm – 2:45pm
Live Long DC
Opioid Strategy Group Lead Reports
2:45pm – 3pm
Chad Jackson

Opioid Abatement, Innovations in Recovery

3pm – 4pm
Paolo del Vecchio, former Director, Dept of Recovery, SAMHSA
Recovery Finds A Way

Hope is the catalyst of our individual and collective recovery journeys. How can we nurture and grow hope for those we work with and for ourselves particularly during challenging times? How can we model and mentor others to foster hope and recovery? Are there universal and selected approaches with specific populations? This session will explore these and other questions in an interactive and narrative format. Find out how you can keep hope alive!

4pm – 4:30pm
Opioid Response Network
Closing Remarks

The Variety Show - Nella B. and The Noise
2025-09-27 17:00 - 19:00 | DC Recovery Peer Operated Center, 5656-A 3rd Street, N.E., Washington, DC, 20011, United States
They performed!!! The great blues band Nella B. and The Noise tore the roof off at Raisin’ da Bottom’s Variety Show at DC Recovery Community Alliance. If you missed it…you missed it Saturday, September 27th. Their blues vocals, the guitar-playing, the keyboarding, the drumming, and the bass playing were all exceptional! Just check out this video of one of their jazzy performances https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPp8AjbQXXk.
Tobal daGriot (Raisin’ da Bottom) is working hard to get them back because the audience had an amazing time and is already asking for their return so don’t miss out. The doors open at 4:00 pm and showtime is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. So, when they return come grab a seat! Grab some snacks! And, bring your fellowship and blues swag deeply rooted in the Chicago-Mississippi-St. Louis-Memphis-Nawlins blues vibe.
Hope to see you soon!
Presented By: Raisin’ da Bottom Productions
Hosted By: Tobal daGriot
Variety Show Location and Sponsored By:
DC Recovery Community Alliance
The Peer Operated Center Hall
5656-A 3rd Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 916-5592
www.dcrecovery.org
Upcoming 2025 Variety Shows
The last Saturday of every month.
To accomplish such meaningful purpose while uplifting one another is always the way to go.
