NEWS & EVENTS

Driving Recovery Golf Classic 2026: A Day of Community, Connection, and Impact The Driving Recovery Golf Classic returned to Lyman Orchards this year with plenty of sunshine, friendly competition, and a community united around a common purpose. Ninety-two golfers gathered at Lyman Orchards Golf Club for Root Center for Advanced Recovery's second annual Driving Recovery Golf Classic. Together with our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, we helped raise more than $23,000 to support Root Center's programs and services. Beyond the funds raised, the day was a celebration of connection, generosity, and the shared belief that everyone deserves access to compassionate behavioral healthcare and recovery support.

Introducing Our Art Therapy-Informed Open Studio Series This October, Root Center for Advanced Recovery is launching a new Art Therapy-Informed Open Studio Series, designed to provide welcoming opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and connection. Open Studio offers a supportive space where individuals can work with a variety of art materials at their own pace, with no prior artistic experience required. The focus is on the creative process rather than creating a perfect piece of artwork. Whether you're interested in exploring creativity, practicing mindfulness, expressing yourself, or simply trying something new, Open Studio provides a low-pressure environment where you can engage at your own comfort level. All materials are provided, and drop-ins are welcome.

Root Center Welcomes Samantha Howard as Director of Operations! Root Center is excited to welcome Samantha Howard, M.A., LPC, as our new Director of Operations! Samantha joins our leadership team with more than a decade of behavioral healthcare experience spanning clinical leadership, operations, program development, quality improvement, and staff supervision. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to supporting high-quality care, strengthening teams, and improving services for both patients and providers. Samantha previously worked at Root, and prior to returning, she gained valuable experience at Yale University's PRIME Clinic, where she further developed her expertise in behavioral healthcare operations and program leadership. Samantha's journey has come full circle as she returns to Root Center with expanded experience, fresh perspectives, and a continued commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities. In her new role as Director of Operations, Samantha will help support the continued growth and success of Root Center's programs and services while advancing our commitment to providing high-quality care across Connecticut. We are thrilled to welcome Samantha back to Root Center and look forward to the leadership, collaboration, and expertise she will bring to our team. Please join us in welcoming Samantha to this exciting new chapter!

Honoring Lives Lost, Supporting Recovery, and Renewing Hope The Memorial Garden was filled with reflection, connection, and hope as community members gathered for Root Center for Advanced Recovery's annual International Overdose Awareness Day Remembrance Ceremony on August 31.  Each year, this event brings together patients, families, staff, community partners, and local leaders to honor the lives lost to overdose and support those who continue to navigate substance use disorder and recovery. Through shared stories, meaningful traditions, and moments of remembrance, attendees were reminded that behind every loss is a person who mattered deeply and behind every recovery journey is hope for the future.

Peer pressure can have a powerful impact on teens — but with the right support, young people can build confidence, make healthy choices, and navigate challenges with resilience. Join Root Center for Advanced Recovery for a Teen Forum: Helping Teens Navigate Peer Pressure, on Tuesday, August 12, from 3–5 PM for an important conversation designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members. Together, we’ll explore how peer pressure affects teens, how to recognize the signs, and ways adults can provide guidance, support, and meaningful connections. 💻 Virtual event hosted on Microsoft Teams 🗓️ Wednesday, August 12 ⏰ 3–5 PM Join us as we work together to better understand and support the teens in our communities. Scan the QR code or click here to register !

Each year, International Overdose Awareness Day offers an opportunity to remember the lives lost to overdose, support those who are still struggling, and come together as a community to recognize that recovery is possible. On Monday, August 31, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. , Root Center for Advanced Recovery will host its annual International Overdose Awareness Day Remembrance Ceremony at the Manchester Root Center Clinic, 335 Broad Street in Manchester . Held in Root Center’s Memorial Garden, the ceremony brings together patients, families, staff, community partners, elected officials, and members of the public for a meaningful morning of remembrance, reflection, hope, and connection. Remembering Those We Have Lost A centerpiece of the ceremony is Root Center’s Remembrance Wall , where attendees are invited to write messages honoring loved ones lost to overdose. Paper and pens will be available for anyone who would like to leave a message in the wall. During the ceremony, Root Center will also hold a ceremonial burning of notes left at last year’s event, creating a powerful moment of reflection and remembrance. This year, TriCircle will join Root Center and display its memorial quilts , which share the names and faces of loved ones whose lives have been lost. The quilts serve as a deeply personal reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story that matters. The event will also include Root Center’s annual ceremonial planting in the Memorial Garden , symbolizing remembrance, growth, and hope for the future. Voices From Our Community Community leaders, legislators, Root Center staff, and patients will share remarks throughout the ceremony, offering perspectives on overdose, recovery, treatment, and the importance of continuing to support individuals and families impacted by substance use. The ceremony is designed not only to remember those we have lost, but also to stand alongside those who are currently navigating substance use, treatment, and recovery. Health, Harm Reduction and Community Resources In addition to the remembrance ceremony, attendees will have access to important health and community resources. Wheeler Health will be on site with its mobile unit, offering blood pressure checks, glucose checks, basic CPR training, and community outreach resources . Root Center will also provide free Narcan (naloxone) and fentanyl testing strips . These harm-reduction tools can help prevent overdose deaths and provide individuals, families, and community members with resources that can save lives. Join Us on August 31 International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that no one should have to navigate addiction, loss, or recovery alone. By gathering together, we can honor those we have lost, support those who are still struggling, reduce stigma, and continue working toward a future with fewer lives lost to overdose. The International Overdose Awareness Day Remembrance Ceremony is open to the public , and all are welcome to attend. Event Details Monday, August 31, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Root Center for Advanced Recovery – Manchester Clinic 335 Broad Street, Manchester, CT 06040 Light refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us for this special morning of remembrance, connection, and hope.

Root Center’s Driving Recovery Golf Classic Returns to Lyman Orchards Root Center for Advanced Recovery is proud to announce the return of the Driving Recovery Golf Classic , a charity golf tournament dedicated to supporting our mission of providing accessible, compassionate behavioral health care throughout Connecticut. Join us on Thursday, September 24, 2026 , at the beautiful Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield, Connecticut , for a day of golf, community, and purpose. Whether you're a seasoned golfer, a community supporter, or a local business looking to make a difference, this event offers a meaningful opportunity to help advance recovery and wellness across our state.  At Root Center, we believe that recovery is possible for everyone. Every day, our team works to provide mental health and substance use treatment, prevention services, community health programs, and recovery support to thousands of individuals and families. The Driving Recovery Golf Classic brings together community members, sponsors, and supporters who share our commitment to creating healthier communities and helping people build brighter futures. Event Details Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 Location: Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield, CT Tournament Schedule Registration: 7:00 a.m. Driving Range & Putting Green Open: 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m. Banquet, Awards, Prizes & Raffle: 2:00 p.m. Event Conclusion: 4:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy a full day of golf, including contests such as Longest Drive , Closest to the Pin , and the chance for a Hole-in-One prize. A light breakfast, lunch, post-play refreshments, and a banquet dinner are included as part of the event experience. Sponsorship Opportunities The Driving Recovery Golf Classic offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations looking to increase their visibility while supporting a worthy cause. By becoming a sponsor, your organization will help strengthen recovery services and behavioral health programs that impact thousands of lives each year. Register Today Whether you're registering a foursome, becoming a sponsor, or making a donation, your support helps Root Center continue its work of improving lives and strengthening communities across Connecticut. We invite you to join us for a memorable day on the course while helping advance hope, healing, and recovery. Together, we can drive hope and lasting change. Visit our tournament website here.

Join us this summer at our Middletown Saybrook Clinic for free informational forums surrounding topics facing teens today. No registration required! These will be held once a month at 6pm at 520 Saybrook Rd in Middletown, CT. Stop by to speak with industry experts and learn ways to help your teen navigate the challenges they are are facing. The summer is a perfect time to reset and prepare for a new school year ahead! We hope you'll join us. Topics and info listed below.

In this episode of Rooted and Real, we get honest about the highs, the lows, and the unseen impact of scrolling, comparing, and staying constantly connected. From validation and anxiety to the feeling of being hooked on our screens and struggling to put them down—and how all of this is affecting kids growing up in a digital world—nothing is off limits. If you’ve ever caught yourself reaching for your phone without thinking or wondered how it’s shaping your mental health (or the next generation’s), this conversation is for you. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and get real with us. Special thanks to our guest, UCONN Professor and Digital Media Expert, John Murphy, for all of his excellent insight on this episode! 

Join us for an inspiring evening with author Matt Grace as he visits our clinic to share the story behind his upcoming memoir, God Doesn’t Relapse: Sex, Drugs, and the Life That Almost Killed Me. With more than 20 years of sobriety and thousands of hours mentoring individuals and families, Matt brings a powerful message of hope, healing, and lasting transformation. This special event will include a live discussion on addiction, recovery, faith, and the journey to rebuilding a life with purpose. Guests attending the event will have the exclusive opportunity to pre-order the book and receive a sponsored copy when it is released . Whether you are personally in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for encouragement, this evening is for you. 📍 6 Business Park Drive, Suite 103A, Branford, CT 📅 Thursday, July 9 🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Reserve your spot today.

Join us for a fun and creative Paint Night hosted by Connecticut artist Hillary Hany! Whether you're a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this relaxed, welcoming event is the perfect way to unwind and express yourself. This event is open to all and will now be hosted at a new location, Branford's newest hot spot, Radici at the Stand! Date: July 23 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Cost: Just $15 per person All materials and lite refreshments will be provided—just bring your creativity! The featured design is shown below. Location: Radici at the Stand 196 S Montowese St Branford, CT 06405 Grab a friend or come solo and meet new people while enjoying a laid-back night of painting and fun. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours today! Get your tickets here !

In this episode of Rooted and Real, we get honest about the highs, the lows, and the unseen impact of scrolling, comparing, and staying constantly connected. From validation and anxiety to the feeling of being hooked on our screens and struggling to put them down—and how all of this is affecting kids growing up in a digital world—nothing is off limits. If you’ve ever caught yourself reaching for your phone without thinking or wondered how it’s shaping your mental health (or the next generation’s), this conversation is for you. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and get real with us. Special thanks to our guest, UCONN Professor and Digital Media Expert, John Murphy, for all of his excellent insight on this episode! 

Welcome 2026! Root Center has had a lot unfold since our last newsletter. Most recently, staff came together for our annual holiday party, a tradition we look forward to as an opportunity to come together and celebrate the hard work we've put forth over the past year. We also donated our oldest clinic to the city of Hartford, hosted a Community Forum, were featured on NBC CT, celebrated one year of being open in New Haven County, and much more! Keep reading for more details and exciting updates!

It is time for our first Community Forum of 2026. On January 13th at 6 p.m, we will be hosting a panel of experts at 335 Broad Street in Manchester to discuss the impacts of social media on mental health. "Scrolled Out: Social Media and the State of Our Minds" is sure to spark insightful conversations about our digital age. If you missed the event, not to worry, you can watch and listen to the full discussion here . Panelists include: John Murphy: UConn Digital Media & Design Professor and Digital Health Advocate Paul Weigle, Associate Medical Director for Natchaug Hospital, a Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network partner, at UConn Medical School Keith McGilvery, Good News Guy and Journalist Micheal Shelby, LPC, Founder and Director of Technology Addiction Center, LLC, and Plan Be Counseling, LLC Aly Fox, Root Center Clinic Supervisor State Representative Gary Turco

Root Center is pleased to present New Beginnings, an art exhibition celebrating recovery, hope, and renewal on the eve of the Vernal Equinox. On March 19th , Root Center hosted the opening of this juried art show at our Branford location , featuring work by local artists exploring the theme of New Beginnings . Much like recovery itself, the exhibition reflects the possibility of change, growth, and redefinition. The selected works invite viewers to consider what it means to start again—whether through healing, self-discovery, or the quiet courage it takes to move forward. Timed with the return of spring, New Beginnings honors transformation as both a personal and collective experience . Artists were encouraged to interpret new beginnings broadly. The exhibition will run March 19th, 2026 - June 19th, 2026. Anyone is welcome to visit the exhibition during our normal business hours, Monday - Friday, between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and on Thursdays until 6 p.m.. The Root Center for Advanced Recovery does not charge for submissions and takes 0% commission on all artwork(s) sold. The exhibition is also free and open to all to attend. Location: Stony Creek Medical Center, 6-12 Business Park Drive, Branford, CT 06405 (First floor) Special thanks to Alex Ranniello , MA for your collaboration as our juror on this exciting project!

Summer seemingly flew by for us here at the Root Center. From events to new projects, we were busy!  Since our last newsletter, we welcomed a new cohort of Fall Semester interns, spruced up our Weston Street facilities, and had our annual Overdose Awareness Day Event, among so much more! We just successfully held our first ever Root center Charity Golf Tournament to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Middletown at Lyman Orchards Golf Club, and we were able to donate $25,000 to help them continue to do amazing work for our communities! Keep reading for more details and exciting updates!