Annual Michiana Recover Fest raises awareness towards substance abuse
SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- Sunday was day two of South Bend’s ‘Best. Week. Ever.’, and one of the events on the lineup was the third annual Recover Michiana Fest at Howard Park.
The fest celebrates those on their journey towards recovery while informing the community about the resources available for people that struggle with substance abuse, and for those that lost their lives from substance abuse, family and friends came out to remember them and help other from going through the pain of losing a loved one.
“We bring people together to really have those important conversations and shine a light on the issue,” says Alicia Wells, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Recover Michiana.
The South Bend community came together in support, celebration, and in memory at the annual Recover Michiana Fest, raising awareness towards substance abuse and addiction.
“We bring resources that are available to help those that are struggling with substance abuse disorder and mental health, while celebrating those who have navigated their way out of it,” Wells says about the fest. “This is also a time where we bring people together as a safe space to advocate for change who lost a loved one.”
One of those people advocating for change is Kerri Anderson. She watched as her son’s photo was shown in the memorial video, joining many others who lost their lives to an overdose.
“I lost my son Ethan on June 18th of this year to an accidental fentanyl overdose,” says Anderson.
Just half a pill is what took Ethan’s life at the ripe age of 19.
“He took half a pill of what’s called M-30, it’s an illicit drug, pressed pill that’s coming out of Mexico, China, and really destroying our youth and many peoples, and forever destroying our families,” Anderson explains.
Since Ethan’s passing three months ago, Anderson has felt charged to make a change and prevent any more mothers and families from feeling the pain that comes from losing their child to substance abuse.
“I’m here to keep his voice alive and to make a change for our youth, for our future generations, and to prevent even one family from going through this loss,” says Anderson.
For those that are looking towards the road of recovery, there are plenty of resources available to help and give guidance during the challenging, yet rewarding journey.
“It’s important for people to realize they’re not alone, and they’re not the only one struggling, and they’re not the only one that might have had a setback, and that’s okay, I did too,” Wells says. “It’s more important than ever, the opposite of addiction is connection, and that’s what we’re here to do.”
Part of Anderson’s plan to make a change in our community is through something she is very passionate about, fitness. On Tuesday, September 27th she will be joining other local fitness instructors in teaching fitness classes for the Sweat the City event. More information on the event can be found here.