Recovery Theatre Scholarship Fund

A few years ago, I was driving home a young woman, Sara* , from our a Recovery Theatre workshop in the Mohawk Trail region of Massachusetts. On the drive home, I came to see that there were other important reasons she had come to attend. Struggling with depression and alcholism at 14, Sara hated being at home, had attempted suicide twice and felt that school, that was always a respite for her, was now becoming feeling unsafe too. So her mom saw the one of our flyers and signed her up for the summer Recovery Theatre Summer Intensive. And on that drive home, day three of the workshop, Sara shared how it was one of the first places she felt she could start to talk, open up, where people weren't judging her and she could still get a 'high' by jumping off of the trapeze with us all. I knew in that moment, we had something special and it needed to continue.

Founded in response to the statewide heroin epidemic, our the Recovery Theatre, an initiative of the Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Programs, is a holistic, strength-based program using theatre and the arts to help young people overcoming addiction, anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. It’s mission is to build supportive, creative communities.

The program has grown beyond the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. Last year, we had participants join us from as far away as Connecticut, London and Boston as well as faraway places like Amherst, Greenfield, Turners Falls, Northampton and Wendell. I feel that this work is an honor to steward and as we grow, in response to the epidemic, we require funding to scholarship these young adults into the program. Each scholarship, for the two week intensive plus fees to enter the Hilltown Youth Summer Workshop as well, is $800 per student. This covers everything.

Transportation, snacks, trapeze, workshops, all of it! <3

I’ve posted a short video by another incredible young person we've had the privilege of working with, Allie, reading some reflections she wrote about her experience recovering from substance abuse with the help of this amazing community. Let me end with this brief story and just by saying that these kids are in my heart. Co-founder, Jonathan Diamond and I spend every summer up in the Mohawk Trail Region of Massachusetts making sure that these young people are supported, mentored but perhaps most importantly, loved. They are on journeys with their addictions and mental illnesses in the same way that many of us are. I feel honored to know them as they make their way and I hope you make a gift to this CrowdRise today that resonates with that special person or program that made all the difference when you were on a journey to healing in your life.

Thank you so very much.
With gratitude,
Alyssa