Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council

01/13/2026

⏰ Deadline Reminder: Conference Coordinator Proposals

This is a friendly reminder that Thursday at 8:00 AM is the final deadline to submit proposals of interest for the Region 5 RAC Conference Coordinator position.

🗳️ What’s next?
Voting will take place electronically. All Region 5 RAC CSB peers will receive an email with a link and clear instructions on how to cast your vote.

If you’ve been considering submitting a proposal, now is the time. We appreciate the thought, care, and commitment that goes into stepping forward to support this work.

Thank you for helping shape the future of Region 5 recovery efforts.

01/13/2026

🎉 REGISTRATION IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED! 🎉

We are excited to share that we’ve reached maximum capacity with 50 registered participants for our Family Support Partner Training this Friday at The Assembly. Thank you to everyone who registered — we can’t wait to see you!

🖤 Reminder: Please wear your black RAC t-shirts so we can represent Region 5 together.

🚗 Parking Information:
Freemason Parking Garage (within walking distance)
Additional street parking is available nearby (please follow posted signage)
📍 Location: The Assembly
400 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA
🕣 Doors open at 8:30 AM
🕘 RAC Welcome begins at 9:00 AM

We’re looking forward to a powerful day of learning, connection, and lifting up family voice and lived experience. See you Friday!

01/05/2026

⏰ Deadline Reminder – Conference Coordinator Opportunity ⏰
The Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council is currently accepting proposals of interest for our Conference Coordinator position for the 2026 Peer Recovery Conference — and the deadline is quickly approaching.

🗓 Proposal Deadline: January 15, 2026
We are seeking someone who is organized, collaborative, and passionate about recovery to help bring our two-day Peer Recovery Conference to life at HUB757 in Suffolk, VA.

📧 How to Apply:
Interested individuals should email their proposal of interest directly to Lauren Kern by January 15th.

Please note:
✔️ Resume is not required

If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we encourage you to apply and share this opportunity within your networks.

Let’s continue building something impactful together.

12/29/2025

✨ Reminder: Family Support Partner Training – Region 5 RAC ✨
Family members play a critical role in recovery, and lived experience matters.

The Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council is hosting an in-person Family Support Partner (FSP) Training for individuals who support a loved one navigating mental health or substance use challenges.

📅 Friday, January 16, 2025
🕘 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Doors open at 8:30 AM)
📍 The Assembly, Norfolk
🎤 Facilitator: Cristy Corbin, leader and advocate in Family Support Partner development
☕ Coffee and light refreshments provided
🍽️ Lunch will be catered

If you’ve supported a family member through recovery and want to turn that experience into meaningful peer support, this training is for you.

Register HERE- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV-4SmNB3J7Q2dhZPUf1I6Ew41p-2aBuZBXf0iww9NXt69vg/viewform?usp=header
🗓️ Registration closes January 9
📧 Questions: region5racouncil@gmail.com
Please share with anyone who may be interested in family-centered peer support.

12/18/2025

📣 PAID CONFERENCE COORDINATOR OPPORTUNITY – REPOST 📣

Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council is seeking a Conference Coordinator to support planning and ex*****on of our two-day Peer Recovery Conference at HUB757 in Suffolk, VA, taking place September 29–30, 2026.

This is a flat-fee contract position and no resume is required.
We are looking for someone who is organized, reliable, and comfortable managing timelines, logistics, and communication while working closely with a collaborative planning committee.

📩 How to Apply
Interested parties should email their proposal to:
Lauren Kern – Lauren.Kern@norfolk.gov
Subject Line: Conference Coordinator

✅ Proposals must include:
• Full name, phone number, and email
• A brief overview of relevant event planning or coordination experience
• Examples of similar events you’ve supported (conferences, trainings, summits, large meetings, etc.)
• Your flat fee rate and what services are included
• Your availability from February 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026
• A short description of how you stay organized and manage timelines
• Two professional references (name, organization, and contact info)

📅 Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026
If you or someone you know has a passion for planning, recovery-oriented work, and bringing meaningful events to life, please share this post or tag them below.
Let’s build something impactful together.

12/17/2025

Housing and homeless at the Norfolk Community Services Board is hiring for peers. This is a wonderful opportunity for a registered peer here in the 757 .

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the Cit...

12/12/2025

🚨 Community Forum: Fentanyl Education & Awareness 🚨

The Peninsula community is coming together for an important conversation on illicit drugs, overdoses, and fentanyl awareness. This forum will feature professionals, peers, advocates, and community leaders working on the front lines of prevention, intervention, and recovery.

🗓 Saturday, December 13th
⏰ 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Sentara Community Care Center
3509 Chestnut Ave, Newport News, VA 23607

This event will include education, real dialogue, and resources aimed at saving lives and strengthening our community’s response to the overdose crisis.

Please share and encourage community members, families, peers, and providers to attend. Awareness saves lives.

12/11/2025

🌟 We’re Hiring a Conference Coordinator! 🌟

The Region 5 Recovery Advisory Council is excited to announce that we’re seeking a paid Conference Coordinator to help bring our two-day Peer Recovery Conference to life in September 2026 at HUB757 in Suffolk, VA.

This is a meaningful opportunity for someone who is organized, creative, and passionate about recovery to collaborate with a dedicated peer-led committee and support an event that centers hope, connection, and community impact.

🗓 Planning begins: February 1, 2026
📅 Conference dates: September 29–30, 2026
📨 Apply by: January 15, 2026

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), please email your experience and proposal to Lauren.Kern@Norfolk.gov
with the subject line “Conference Coordinator.”

We encourage individuals with lived experience, strong organizational skills, and a heart for recovery to apply. Please feel free to share this post to help us reach the right person 💜

12/11/2025

🎄December at the Pathways Drop-In Center! 🎄

FREE food, fun, and fellowship all month long for adults in recovery.

We’ve packed December with groups, activities, and TWO special holiday events you won’t want to miss!

📅 Weekly Activities Include:
• Mindfulness
• Recreation (Ping pong, cards, Wii, games)
• Karaoke & Gratitude
• Outdoor Days
• Guided Journaling
• Board Games
• SMART Recovery & Movie Nights

🎉 Special Events

🎄 Holiday Party – Saturday, Dec 13
⏰ 4–6 PM
Join us for food, games, music, hot chocolate, and connection.

🎨 Holiday Bash – Trivia & Ornament Decorating – Monday, Dec 15
⏰ 5–10 PM
Enjoy art, trivia, food, fellowship, and holiday cheer!

📍 Pathways Drop-In Center
409 Birdneck Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
📞 757-385-6950

🚐 Some transportation is available — call to inquire.

Come warm up, relax, and spend time with a community that understands recovery and celebrates it. 💙

12/11/2025

🎄❄️ Festive Holiday Party at Pathways Drop-In! ❄️🎄
The Peer-Led Drop-In Center of Virginia Beach is hosting a Holiday Party for adults in substance use recovery — and you’re invited! Come warm up, connect, and have some fun with your fellow peers.

📅 Saturday, December 13, 2025
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Pathways Drop-In Center
409 Birdneck Cir., Virginia Beach, VA 23451
📞 (757) 385-6950

We’ll have:
✨ Food
✨ Games
✨ Music
✨ Hot chocolate
✨ Fellowship and fun

Some transportation is provided — call to inquire.
Event is 18+.

Share with someone who could use a little extra joy and connection this season. ❤️

12/10/2025

🎥 Last Call for Videographer Submissions! 🎥

If you’re interested in capturing the magic of our upcoming Region 5 RAC event on January 16th at The Assembly in Downtown Norfolk, the deadline to submit your interest is Monday, December 15th.

We’re looking for a videographer with a creative eye to help us record 2–3 podcast episodes and our live RAC meeting. This is a great opportunity to support lived-experience storytelling and shine a light on recovery across Region 5.

📩 Send your experience and proposal to:
Region5RACouncil@gmail.com

Don’t wait — we’d love to consider you for this project. Let’s create something powerful together! 💙🔥

🎥✨ We’re on the hunt for a VIDEOGRAPHER! ✨🎥
Region 5 RAC has an event coming up on January 16th at The Assembly in Downtown Norfolk — and we want YOU (or someone you know!) to help us capture the magic!

We’ll be recording 2–3 podcasts + our live meeting, and we’re looking for a creative eye behind the camera to bring recovery stories to life.

Think you’ve got the skills?
📩 Send your experience and proposal to Region5RACouncil@gmail.com

Let’s create something powerful together! 💙🔥