By Katlan Thomerson
Glasgow News 1
On Saturday, April 27, the Barren County YMCA is hosting a “Recovery Rally,” an event that amplifies stories of strength, healing, and community support.
Event organizers Libby Pruitt Short, Christy Wells, and Anne Kathryn Murrey have worked on this since last year’s Hometown Hope event.
“We had a recovery rally in September of last year called Hometown Hope and it was so great that it kind of got the snowball rolling,” Short said. “From there we began working with people to begin implementing programs that we facilitate here at the Y then decided to put together another rally to show others that recovery is very possible.”
Though the name of the event has changed, its purpose remains the same. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local resources, support groups, and organizations in hopes of building networks, finding encouragement, and discovering that they’re not alone.
“Hometown Hope was great, but we have different people involved this time and it’s bigger, so we decided to go with a different name,” Short said. “We’re hoping that this becomes an annual event.”
This family friendly community event is partially funded by ten donations including $1,000 from Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (A.S.A.P) serving Barren, Hart, and Metcalfe County.
“The outpouring of love from the community has been truly amazing,” Short said.
The first 200 people who arrive at the event will be given a free purple t-shirt made by Full Circle Graphics. Raffle tickets will be given to everyone, giving them the chance to win one of the many giveaways that will occur several times throughout the event.
Refreshments
The YMCA is offering free bottles of water, shredded pork sandwiches, and chips while supplies last. Pelican’s SnoBalls and a cotton candy booth will be on site as well.
Guest Speakers
This event features several individuals who have overcome their battle with addiction, mental health struggles, or trauma.
“Some of the speakers that we have coming, have literally died and I’m not lying when I say that. Alot of their stories are very tragic, but the fact that they’re speaking makes their stories have a very positive outcome on those who hear them,” Short said.
- Doc
- Jessica V
- Brittney C
- Jack White
- Shane Bull
- Paul Grider
- Brad Sowell
- Jarad Crowe
- Bambi Adams
- Rachel Jackson
- Jessica Renner
Vendors
- ARC
- Nesco
- Goodwill
- Bridge KY
- Ohio River
- Clean Slate
- Victory Lane
- Hope Harbor
- Ahead Staffing
- Serenity House
- Matthew 25 Clinic
- Rivendell Hospital
- Alliance Counseling
- WKU Trio Program
- Life Skills/Park Place
- Crossroad Life Center
- The Pheonix Project
- Fuller Life Counseling
- Lake Cumberland Treatment
- Barren County Health Department
- Bluegrass Professional Counseling
- New Path Recovery Home for Women
Tentative Schedule
From wellness vendors to color runs for kids, this event seeks to offer something for everyone.
10 a.m. Introduction-Libby Pruitt, Christy Wall,
10:20 Pastor Grider
10:45 Brad Sowell
11:00 Shane Bull
Time TBD Two vendor giveaways
Time TBD Music by Nathan Ward
11:45 Jack White
Time TBD Two vendor giveaways
12:00 Doc
12:15 Rachel Jackson
Time TBD Music by D.J. Shane White
Time TBD Two vendor giveaways
1:00 Bambi Adams
1:30 Jared Crowe
Time TBD Two vendor giveaways
2:00 Brittany
2:15 Jessica
Time TBD Two vendor giveaways
Time TBD Music
Time TBD remaining giveaways
3:00 closing
“The thing that I want the community to know is that this event isn’t just for those in recovery. We want the community at large to come out and show support. We have to start breaking down the stigmas associated with recovery because they’re setting people back.
