The Center for Prevention & Counseling

03/06/2026

Prevention is a team effort. 🏀⚽⚾

Did you know it can take as little as 5 days for opioid dependence to begin? Student-athletes give 100% on the field, but they are also at an increased risk for opioid dependence.

Parents & Coaches: You are the first line of defense. Before the first whistle blows this season, have the "big talk"—not just about the playbook, but about pain management.

Don't wait for an injury to happen. Starting the conversation early is the best way to keep our players safe, healthy, and in the game.

03/04/2026

🏆 Will you Champion the Journey in 2026?

For 12 years, the Changing the Face of Addiction Recovery Walk has been a beacon of hope in Sussex County. But we don’t walk alone—our local business partners make this mission possible.

We are officially inviting you to lead the way as a 2026 Sponsor. Whether you are a small business or a large organization, your investment stays 100% local, supporting the vital work of The Center for Prevention and Counseling.

Why Partner With Us?

Community Impact: Help us break the stigma, provide a lifeline for our neighbors, celebrate recovery and support bright futures.

High Visibility: Put your brand in front of hundreds of participants and thousands of digital followers.

Legacy: Join a decade-plus tradition of recovery and healing in Sussex County, NJ.

Sponsorship Tiers: Opportunities range from $250 to $10,000—swipe left to see which level fits your business! ⬅️

Ready to lead?
🔗 Visit our walk event website (link in comments)
📩 DM us with the word "CHAMPION" and we'll send the details directly to your inbox!
📩 email walk@centerforprevention.org

03/03/2026

02/28/2026

Calling all Sussex County youth! 📣 Time is running out to enter the 26th Annual Achieving My Dreams Youth PSA Contest.

There are less than two weeks left for students to submit original Art, Essays, or Videos. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth in grades 4-12 to showcase their creativity and commitment to a healthy, alcohol-free lifestyle—plus, they could win two passes to ! 🎨✍️🎥 Good luck!

📅 Deadline: March 10
👇 Scan the QR code or click the link the comments to enter

This contest is offered by our Sussex County Coalition for Healthy & Safe Communities

02/27/2026

🧠 Let's talk about brain health for a minute.

We spend a lot of time thinking about our physical health — but what about the three pounds of powerhouse sitting right between your ears? As we age, our brain health plays a huge role in our quality of life, and the good news is that everyday habits can make a real difference.

So what actually helps? Here's what the research tells us:

💤 Sleep. Your brain literally repairs itself while you sleep. If you're skimping on rest, your brain is feeling it.

🏃 Move your body. Regular physical activity has actually been shown to increase the size of the part of your brain responsible for memory and learning. You don't have to run a marathon — consistent, moderate movement counts.

🥦 Feed yourself well. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline. Your brain needs good fuel.

🤝 Stay c***ected to people. This one might surprise you — social isolation is one of the biggest risk factors for cognitive decline. People with strong social c***ections may be up to half as likely to experience memory problems. Call a friend. Make plans. Show up.

🧘 Take your mental health seriously. Chronic stress, anxiety, and untreated depression don't just affect your mood — they affect your brain. Tending to your emotional wellbeing is brain care.

🚫 Know what raises your risk. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and heavy alcohol or substance use can all impact how your brain functions over time. These aren't just health checkboxes — they matter for your mind too.

Your brain is resilient and it responds when you take care of it. It's never too early — or too late — to start. 💙

02/26/2026

We love collaborating with our friends at DASI : Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services!

02/26/2026

🐾 Looking for something fun and fulfilling while you wait for spring to arrive?

Your local animal shelter or rescue might be just the thing! Spending time with animals is a wonderful boost for your mental health — interacting with them actually triggers the release of oxytocin, the same "bonding hormone" released when we hug a loved one, helping to reduce stress and boost your mood. And you'll be making a real difference for animals in need at the same time!

🐕🐈Many shelters and rescues welcome volunteers to help socialize animals, take them for walks, or simply sit and read with shy ones to help build their confidence as they prepare for their forever homes. And if you're ready for some puppy or kitty love right in your own home, fostering is an amazing option! Many rescues provide everything you need — food, treats, crates, and more — so you can focus on giving an animal a safe, loving space to thrive.

Ready to get started? Here's how:

1️⃣ Honestly assess your availability — shelters and rescues depend on reliable, committed volunteers and fosters
2️⃣ Visit the shelter or rescue's website and complete a volunteer or foster application
3️⃣ Watch for an email or phone call from the organization
4️⃣ Give your references a heads up that they may receive a call
5️⃣ Attend an orientation if one is available.

Every organization operates a little differently, so don't hesitate to reach out and ask questions! And keep in mind — these rescues receive a high volume of emails, calls, and messages, so be patient and follow up as needed. 🐾

02/25/2026

Teens need empathy, not judgment. 🤝 Our friends at Connect Guide Empower remind us that starting the conversation is easier when we follow these simple pillars:

✨ Lead with empathy
✨ Avoid punitive language
✨ Keep the door open for future talks
✨ Provide facts, not lectures
✨ Focus on building mutual trust

02/24/2026

🍀March is a month of c***ection and growth in recovery! Join us at our Sussex County Recovery Community Center for exciting events like Vinyasa Yoga, annual St. Patrick's Day Party, crafting, journaling, Easter egg dying and more!

And don't miss our Welcome Breakfast at our new Sussex satellite location.

💌Our March E-News has all the details.

Email from The Center for Prevention and Counseling March Recovery Events   Donate Your charitable donation helps people recover! Greetings! March is a new opportunity to grow and strengthen the c***e

02/23/2026

❄️ Stay Safe and Warm, Sussex County!

Due to the incoming blizzard, The Center for Prevention and Counseling and our Sussex County Recovery Community Center will be CLOSED on Monday, February 23rd.

While our physical doors are closed, our support remains available. Our 24/7 Helpline is open for anyone needing a c***ection.
📞 Call or Text: 844-722-5327

⚠️ A Warning on "Heart-Attack Snow"
This storm is bringing heavy, wet snow. Because of its high water content, it is significantly heavier than typical powder, placing extreme strain on the heart and back.

Tips for staying safe:

Push, don't lift: If you must clear a path, push the snow like a plow rather than lifting heavy shovelfuls.

Take frequent breaks: Don't overexert yourself. Stop immediately if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness.

Hydrate & Layer: Stay hydrated and dress in layers to maintain a steady body temperature.

🤝 A Community Effort
Check on your neighbors: Please look out for the elderly, disabled, and those living alone. A quick check-in can save a life.

💗 A heartfelt thank you: To our first responders, medical workers, and the dedicated individuals operating gas stations and provision stores—we see you working through the storm to keep us safe and supplied. We appreciate you!

Stay inside, stay warm, and we look forward to seeing you when it is safe to reopen.

02/21/2026

The bravest sentence is sometimes: “I can’t do this alone.”

If that line catches in your throat a little… you’re not the only one.

So many people in our community are carrying things quietly:

💠 anxiety that won’t let up

💠 burnout that feels like numbness

💠 a loved one’s drinking or substance use

💠 grief, stress, or depression that’s hard to name

💠 recovery that’s strong and still tender

💠 brains that don’t “do life” the standard way

You don’t have to wait until it gets worse.

You don’t have to have the perfect words.

You don’t have to do this alone.

Sometimes asking for help is the greatest flex of all

📞 CFPC’s 24/7 Helpline: 844-722-5327 (support + guidance, anytime)

🆘 In a mental health crisis? Call or text 988 (the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline)

🦋 Attend events and meetings at our Sussex County Recovery Community Center

🏡 Stop by The Gathering Place on Spring St in Newton for local c***ection and support.

#988