San Bernardino Valley College to Partner with County for First-Ever Collaborative Theatre Production

SAN BERNARDINO, California — The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) are coming together to share a message with the community: there is hope for people struggling with addiction.

September is Recovery Month, and to mark the occasion, on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m., DBH and SBVC will present Finding Our Way, a 45-minute play written by Playwrights Project participants at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County.

Finding Our Way looks at the cycle of addiction and the steps that can be made toward recovery, showing that substance abuse treatment works and people can and do recover. The performance will take place at San Bernardino Valley College, 701 S. Mt. Vernon St., San Bernardino, and SBVC students will open the play with a 15-minute presentation focused on substance abuse prevention and healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol. After the play, there will be a question and answer session with the actors and DBH subject matter experts.

“Substance use disorders affect people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, and socioeconomic levels,” DHB Director Dr. Veronica Kelley said. “Our communities and youth play a significant role in supporting friends and family through their recovery. We are thankful for partners like SBVC for providing a platform where youth, students, and emerging leaders can come together to learn more about and discuss this important topic.”

While DBH and SBVC have collaborated on cultural and mental-health related projects over the years, this is the first-ever event like this to be held on the SBVC campus. The goal of Recovery Month, now in its 30th year, is to bring awareness to the fact that substance abuse affects people from all backgrounds, and to honor those who have gone through recovery. This year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” and emphasizes the need to share resources and offer support to those who need it.

Tickets for Finding Our Way are free, and while an RSVP is not necessary, it is encouraged. Please visit www.recoverymonth.eventbrite.com to register.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health at 800–968–2636 for confidential information on low- to no- cost treatment services.

WHAT: Finding Our Way Collaborative Theatre Production

WHERE: Auditorium, San Bernardino Valley College, 701 S. Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410. Free parking on campus.

WHEN: 6:00–8:00pm, Thursday, September 12, 2019