August 11, 2023 • 7 mins
2023 RECOVERY WALK: The purpose of the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk is to celebrate the many roads to recovery from addiction and all those who travel them. The 2023 Pittsburgh Recovery Walk will take place on September 16th. https://pghrecoverywalk.org/
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
And welcome in This is the Heartof Pittsburgh podcast. I'm your host Johnny
Hartwell special guests. We have PastorLance. Good morning, sir, how
are you good morning? Glad tobe here. All right, we're gonna
be talking about the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk, which is coming up on September sixteenth.
It starts out in the Strip.But before we get into that,
let's get your background. All right, Pastor Lance, tell us about your
(00:20):
church. Oh, thank you.My name is Lance, and I pastor
Tree of Life Open Bible Church inthe brook Land community. And we got
involved in the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk becauseour church saw a significant impact of the
opioid epidemic in the South Pittsburgh community. All right, So the walk Recovery
Walk has been going on for sevenor eight years in Pittsburgh. It doesn't
(00:43):
cost anything, and what it isis a celebration, it's a it's a
you know, you're helping individuals whohave gone through the journey of drug and
alcohol addiction. And that's it's totallyfree. You can sign up and get
all the information at PGH Recovery Walkdot org. You mentioned that some of
your congregation has gone through that journeyand do you have a contingency of people
(01:07):
participating in the walk. We dohave a number of people that go,
as many groups come and support fromthe groups that they are part of.
They come wearing their community shirts,their places through their rehab or whatever program
that they came through. Lots ofgroups come together and join together. The
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk is a place ofcommunity where everyone comes together, celebrating everybody
(01:30):
on their journey, no matter wherethey are in that process. Now,
so many walks try to raise money, but that's not your first and foremost
goal, is it. No,We're really here to just let the community
know that there is hope on theother side. Recovery is a possibility and
many people live it out on aregular basis. All right, So what
are some of the things that goon at the Recovery Walk. The Recovery
(01:53):
Walk has a lot of wonderful things. We've got some keynote speakers, We've
got food trucks, there's kids activities. It's really a space for anybody that
has any connection to individuals in recoveryfeel to come and have something to do
so that we can celebrate together allthe progress that everyone has made, or
we'll kind of talk about some ofthe things that go on at the walk.
(02:15):
But this is a way to breakdown some of the stigma. This
is a way to celebrate somebody's journeyof getting off drugs and alcohol, right.
Absolutely, And I believe that everybody'sstory is precious and it's important for
them to take a moment and celebratethat story. Yeah, celebration is the
main word to celebrate the many words, many roads of recovery from addiction to
(02:36):
all who's who traveled them. Ifyou need more information, if you'd really
like to sign up, or ifyou'd like to volunteer, I'll get more
information at PGH Recovery Walk dot org. Again, that website is PGH Recovery
Walk dot org. Oh, it'sgoing to be here before we know it,
sell number sixteenth. It kind ofstarts in the in the Strip district,
kind of near the Hind's History Center, Life of the parking lot right
(02:59):
across and and you know, signups are like nine o'clock, but people
could sign up now at your website. Absolutely can sign up for free online.
It's a great way for us toget an idea of how many people
are coming every year. This eventis growing. I we want to see
more people and it's wonderful because there'sa lot of people dealing with recovery in
our community and they all need allthe support we can give them all.
(03:19):
Right, So, if you wantto sign up PGH Recovery Walk dot org.
Registration starts at nine o'clock. Kindof tell us exactly what happens during
the day. All the day isa jam packed morning. Nine o'clock,
we get things started. We're goingto have food, there's a resource fare,
there is keynote speakers. We're reallyexcite this year because we're gonna have
Brian Cuban as one of our keynotespeakers. That is Mark Cuban's brother,
(03:43):
right, yeah, attorney author,he's a recovery advocate. He's a Pittsburgh
native and he is a person inlong term recovery. He's going to share
a little bit about his story,as well as a few other speakers as
well that we're telling their stories.And then you kind of closed down the
streets. You kind of walk downtown, so you kind of go towards the
Benatum, you make it towards DukaneDrive and then back in it, and
(04:06):
then then there's a dance party afterwards. Yeah, and there's all kinds of
things for everyone to do. Whoare some of the people who participate.
Is it just people who are goingthrough that journey or is it you know,
family, friends, cheerleaders, thingslike that. I think every person
could participate in this. If youare a loved one of somebody who's in
recovery, then this is a spotfor you. If you're going through recovery,
(04:29):
then this is an event for you. This is your first day.
Or even if you're just recovery curiousand you don't know what's going on yet,
there's still a space for you atthis event. What's the mission?
What's the mission of the Recovery Walk. We kind of three things that we
really want to do. First ofall, we want to celebrate recovery and
all recovery support programs throughout the region. Our goal is also to eliminate stigma
(04:49):
and to showcase all the various resourcesfor people that are available in our region.
We talked about you know, theyou know, the kids activities and
some of the speakers and food trucks, but what are some of the other
things going on. One of thegreatest parts about the Recovery Walk is the
giant resource fair that we have.We've over eighty different providers and support agencies
(05:12):
that will set up tables and letpeople know what their projects are. They're
doing to help people that are dealingwith their recovery journey. And you mentioned
three things, and I think it'simportant because I thought they was it was
very silent. So tell us alittle more about that. Ye. Our
three goals are to celebrate recovery,to eliminate stigma, and to showcase the
many resources that are available in ourregion. So so many families and friends
(05:35):
and families have gone through that journey, or maybe you know a loved one
who's gone through. Here's a wayto celebrate their recovery their journey. So
tell us how you got involved withthe walk. I got involved because I
was trying to figure out how toget people help in our congregation, as
our community had been disproportionately affected bythe opioid epidemic, and so events like
(05:59):
the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk provide access toa number of resource paths. I thought
there was only really one easy wayfor somebody to get on recovery, and
I found out that it was notone way and it wasn't easy, and
I wanted to help people be ableto get a long life where they could
be happy. You mentioned stigma,and I think it's important that we break
down some of that stigma because it'sa disease. If somebody had cancer,
(06:25):
and you wouldn't disparage somebody with thatkind of disease, and that's what happens
with drug and alcohol. It's thisis a kind of a it's an event,
it's a family community event that youcan start breaking down those walls of
stigma. Yeah. I find thatmost people just don't understand the substance use
disorder at all, and that makesit really hard for them to be able
to empathize with people that are goingthrough a recovery process. The Pittsburgh Recovery
(06:48):
Walk provide so many stories and resourcesthat you could ask people, and everyone's
just honest and open. We're hereto celebrate together. We're here to recognize
each and everyone's stories and they're vitalparts of their life that are keeping them
moving forward. Recovery is a process. Recovery has many paths, and each
(07:09):
of those paths are worth celebrating.Celebrating the many roads to recovery. The
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk kind of in theStrip District, coming up on September sixteenth,
kind of right across in the parkinglot, across from the Hines History
Center. You can get more informationor sign up at PGH Recovery Walk dot
org. Pastor Lance, thank youand Doug good luck with your event.
(07:30):
Thanks so much for having us.We'll look forward to seeing everybody at the
walk. This has been the heartof Pittsburgh podcast. I've been your host.
Johnny hart Well, thank you somuch for listening.
And welcome in This is the Heartof Pittsburgh podcast. I'm your host Johnny
Hartwell special guests. We have PastorLance. Good morning, sir, how
are you good morning? Glad tobe here. All right, we're gonna
be talking about the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk, which is coming up on September sixteenth.
It starts out in the Strip.But before we get into that,
let's get your background. All right, Pastor Lance, tell us about your
(00:20):
church. Oh, thank you.My name is Lance, and I pastor
Tree of Life Open Bible Church inthe brook Land community. And we got
involved in the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk becauseour church saw a significant impact of the
opioid epidemic in the South Pittsburgh community. All right, So the walk Recovery
Walk has been going on for sevenor eight years in Pittsburgh. It doesn't
(00:43):
cost anything, and what it isis a celebration, it's a it's a
you know, you're helping individuals whohave gone through the journey of drug and
alcohol addiction. And that's it's totallyfree. You can sign up and get
all the information at PGH Recovery Walkdot org. You mentioned that some of
your congregation has gone through that journeyand do you have a contingency of people
(01:07):
participating in the walk. We dohave a number of people that go,
as many groups come and support fromthe groups that they are part of.
They come wearing their community shirts,their places through their rehab or whatever program
that they came through. Lots ofgroups come together and join together. The
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk is a place ofcommunity where everyone comes together, celebrating everybody
(01:30):
on their journey, no matter wherethey are in that process. Now,
so many walks try to raise money, but that's not your first and foremost
goal, is it. No,We're really here to just let the community
know that there is hope on theother side. Recovery is a possibility and
many people live it out on aregular basis. All right, So what
are some of the things that goon at the Recovery Walk. The Recovery
(01:53):
Walk has a lot of wonderful things. We've got some keynote speakers, We've
got food trucks, there's kids activities. It's really a space for anybody that
has any connection to individuals in recoveryfeel to come and have something to do
so that we can celebrate together allthe progress that everyone has made, or
we'll kind of talk about some ofthe things that go on at the walk.
(02:15):
But this is a way to breakdown some of the stigma. This
is a way to celebrate somebody's journeyof getting off drugs and alcohol, right.
Absolutely, And I believe that everybody'sstory is precious and it's important for
them to take a moment and celebratethat story. Yeah, celebration is the
main word to celebrate the many words, many roads of recovery from addiction to
(02:36):
all who's who traveled them. Ifyou need more information, if you'd really
like to sign up, or ifyou'd like to volunteer, I'll get more
information at PGH Recovery Walk dot org. Again, that website is PGH Recovery
Walk dot org. Oh, it'sgoing to be here before we know it,
sell number sixteenth. It kind ofstarts in the in the Strip district,
kind of near the Hind's History Center, Life of the parking lot right
(02:59):
across and and you know, signups are like nine o'clock, but people
could sign up now at your website. Absolutely can sign up for free online.
It's a great way for us toget an idea of how many people
are coming every year. This eventis growing. I we want to see
more people and it's wonderful because there'sa lot of people dealing with recovery in
our community and they all need allthe support we can give them all.
(03:19):
Right, So, if you wantto sign up PGH Recovery Walk dot org.
Registration starts at nine o'clock. Kindof tell us exactly what happens during
the day. All the day isa jam packed morning. Nine o'clock,
we get things started. We're goingto have food, there's a resource fare,
there is keynote speakers. We're reallyexcite this year because we're gonna have
Brian Cuban as one of our keynotespeakers. That is Mark Cuban's brother,
(03:43):
right, yeah, attorney author,he's a recovery advocate. He's a Pittsburgh
native and he is a person inlong term recovery. He's going to share
a little bit about his story,as well as a few other speakers as
well that we're telling their stories.And then you kind of closed down the
streets. You kind of walk downtown, so you kind of go towards the
Benatum, you make it towards DukaneDrive and then back in it, and
(04:06):
then then there's a dance party afterwards. Yeah, and there's all kinds of
things for everyone to do. Whoare some of the people who participate.
Is it just people who are goingthrough that journey or is it you know,
family, friends, cheerleaders, thingslike that. I think every person
could participate in this. If youare a loved one of somebody who's in
recovery, then this is a spotfor you. If you're going through recovery,
(04:29):
then this is an event for you. This is your first day.
Or even if you're just recovery curiousand you don't know what's going on yet,
there's still a space for you atthis event. What's the mission?
What's the mission of the Recovery Walk. We kind of three things that we
really want to do. First ofall, we want to celebrate recovery and
all recovery support programs throughout the region. Our goal is also to eliminate stigma
(04:49):
and to showcase all the various resourcesfor people that are available in our region.
We talked about you know, theyou know, the kids activities and
some of the speakers and food trucks, but what are some of the other
things going on. One of thegreatest parts about the Recovery Walk is the
giant resource fair that we have.We've over eighty different providers and support agencies
(05:12):
that will set up tables and letpeople know what their projects are. They're
doing to help people that are dealingwith their recovery journey. And you mentioned
three things, and I think it'simportant because I thought they was it was
very silent. So tell us alittle more about that. Ye. Our
three goals are to celebrate recovery,to eliminate stigma, and to showcase the
many resources that are available in ourregion. So so many families and friends
(05:35):
and families have gone through that journey, or maybe you know a loved one
who's gone through. Here's a wayto celebrate their recovery their journey. So
tell us how you got involved withthe walk. I got involved because I
was trying to figure out how toget people help in our congregation, as
our community had been disproportionately affected bythe opioid epidemic, and so events like
(05:59):
the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk provide access toa number of resource paths. I thought
there was only really one easy wayfor somebody to get on recovery, and
I found out that it was notone way and it wasn't easy, and
I wanted to help people be ableto get a long life where they could
be happy. You mentioned stigma,and I think it's important that we break
down some of that stigma because it'sa disease. If somebody had cancer,
(06:25):
and you wouldn't disparage somebody with thatkind of disease, and that's what happens
with drug and alcohol. It's thisis a kind of a it's an event,
it's a family community event that youcan start breaking down those walls of
stigma. Yeah. I find thatmost people just don't understand the substance use
disorder at all, and that makesit really hard for them to be able
to empathize with people that are goingthrough a recovery process. The Pittsburgh Recovery
(06:48):
Walk provide so many stories and resourcesthat you could ask people, and everyone's
just honest and open. We're hereto celebrate together. We're here to recognize
each and everyone's stories and they're vitalparts of their life that are keeping them
moving forward. Recovery is a process. Recovery has many paths, and each
(07:09):
of those paths are worth celebrating.Celebrating the many roads to recovery. The
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk kind of in theStrip District, coming up on September sixteenth,
kind of right across in the parkinglot, across from the Hines History
Center. You can get more informationor sign up at PGH Recovery Walk dot
org. Pastor Lance, thank youand Doug good luck with your event.
(07:30):
Thanks so much for having us.We'll look forward to seeing everybody at the
walk. This has been the heartof Pittsburgh podcast. I've been your host.
Johnny hart Well, thank you somuch for listening.
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