Just weeks after moving into a new location at Maple House, WVU Collegiate Recovery will mark Collegiate Recovery Week with fun, inclusive activities through Friday (April 18), showcasing the new Serenity Place.
“Students should visit because we have a ton to offer with an even closer location to campus,” said Sadie Holland, a senior mental health and addiction studies major from Charleston, who is a student worker with Collegiate Recovery.
“I personally love the ‘home away from home’ vibe that Maple House offers. It is the perfect location for students to enjoy hanging out with welcoming, open-minded peers, or to have a quiet place to relax and reflect. If that isn’t enough, we also have plenty of free coffee and snacks.”
In March, Collegiate Recovery moved to Maple House after the LGBTQ+ Center relocated to the Mountainlair.
In both cases, the relocations provide opportunities to better serve students and fulfill organizational programming needs.
“While our location has changed, our services and programs will remain as vibrant and robust as ever,” said Olivia Dale Pape, director of WVU Collegiate Recovery.
“I love how close in proximity we are to the Mountainlair, Stalnaker Hall and Dadisman Hall. Being near these busy buildings will help us reach even more students. Maple House is a beautiful space and provides ample room to host a variety of programs and activities at the same time.”
Collegiate Recovery Week includes Collegiate Recovery Day on Tuesday (April 15) when campus community members are encouraged to wear purple to highlight campus recovery programs and services.
See the full schedule of events.
“I am involved with Collegiate Recovery, and plan to keep being involved, for the simple sense of community I feel when I am here,” said Ella Wix, a senior mental health and addiction studies major from Parkersburg, and a student worker with Collegiate Recovery.
“Our staff are devoted to helping our students and to supporting our friends in the recovery community. The overwhelming warmth and welcoming spirit of this place as soon as you walk in is very dear to me and is something I needed to be a part of. I am so grateful to be involved in a program that contributes so much to others, which is what I think makes this program stand out.”
WVU Collegiate Recovery has a wide breadth of offerings, including peer support meetings, mindfulness programming, educational trainings, board game afternoons, meditative crafting and more.
Thursday night substance-free social events are always popular. All current University students are welcome to attend. Special events that students have enjoyed most include Squishmallow Bingo, Milkshakes and Movies, DIY Holiday Crafts and Therapy Dog Playtime.
“We are intentional with our efforts and recognize that Thursday night is often considered the start of the weekend, so WVU Collegiate Recovery prioritizes offering alternatives for students who are looking for connection and fun in substance-free spaces,” Pape said.
“Also, it’s important to note that students do not have to identify as an individual in or seeking recovery to come hang with us.”
The Association of Recovery in Higher Education created Collegiate Recovery Week in 2010 to encourage the hosting of these kinds of campus events to celebrate the joys of recovery, share stories and uplift participants through community.
It was 2016 when WVU established what was the first Collegiate Recovery program in West Virginia and the program continues to serve as an operations leader for other institutions.
An all-encompassing program, WVU Collegiate Recovery welcomes students who are in or seeking recovery from substance use disorders, alcohol use disorders, eating disorders, process addictions, and with any other mental health concerns.
Support is also available to students who are exploring moderation or are sober curious, those seeking to improve their relationship to food and body, students who have been affected by addiction, individuals who want to be allies to those in active addiction and recovery, and more.
“I feel so grateful to have had the program throughout most of my days at WVU, and I can certainly say it has seen me through immense personal and professional growth,” Holland said.
“Collegiate Recovery has given me the chance to meet so many wonderful people and foster positive connections in an environment that is conducive to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”
That’s the goal, according to Pape.
“At the heart of WVU Collegiate Recovery, we are serving as a safe and welcoming place for students to build meaningful connections with others and make sure they know they are welcome and seen on campus,” she said.
“I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our new space and all the students who pass through our doors.”
To stay up to date on activities, sign up for the Collegiate Recovery newsletter.