The annual observance, recognized since 1989, celebrates the accomplishments of people recovering from addiction and mental health issues. This year’s theme -- Our Family, Our Stories, Our Recovery! -- highlights the role family and loved ones have in people's recovery.
Multnomah County offers services for community members experiencing mental health and addiction issues. Anyone in Multnomah County can call the county’s 24/7 crisis line at 503- 988-4888 and connect with resources that can help them recover.
“Recovery month gives us a chance to recognize that there are thousands of people throughout Multnomah County that are in recovery,” Bajpai said, “that are giving back to society, that are making our community a better place to live.”
More than a dozen members of the recovery community also attended the meeting. They came to support speakers who shared their experience with recovery in front of the board.
One of those speakers was Deandre Kenyanjui.
Kenyanjui, a young father, recalled his experience with addiction to prescription pills. At the height of his addiction, he says, he was jailed multiple times, lost access to his children and didn’t see any way out.
After entering Central City Concern (CCC) recovery program, Kenyanjui’s life started to improve. CCC’s program gave him a safe place to get clean, connections with the recovery community and hope.
“I have my kids back in my life, I work a job,” Kenyanjui said. “I give back to the community I took so much from.”
As the proclamation came to a close, Chair Kafoury noted the value of personal stories of recovery.
“It’s all about people,” Chair Kafoury said. “It’s about that person. It’s about that person’s family. And it’s about our community and how we want to be as a community.”