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Bangor Area Recovery Network-- 2015 Agency of Distinction

BARN

The Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) delivers a powerful response to the complex problem of substance abuse, providing comprehensive, caring peer-support for men and women wishing to attain or sustain their recovery from addiction.

According to nominator and former board member C. Shawn Yardley, BARN is "totally embedded in our community, firmly rooted in its mission, driven by the spirit of volunteerism, and demonstrates an out-of-the-box approach to one of the most complex challenges facing our region." Substance abuse creates an annual impact of $166 million in Penobscot County, but less than 4% of that figure represents costs associated with prevention or treatment.

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Each week, BARN provides drop-in access, self-help meetings, computer and Internet access, jail outreach, education and recovery workshops—even social activities and dinners. With 300 registered members, an average of 150 regular consumers generate 1,500 cumulative visits weekly. BARN's no-debt fiscal philosophy together with asset acquisition that creates operational revenues ensures its sustainability. The agency owns its anchor community recovery center on Center Street in Brewer, which is staffed with only one, half-time Volunteer Coordinator, who trains and coordinates a network of volunteers that contributes 600-900 hours each month.

In addition to its Center Street facility, BARN recently purchased a home two blocks from the center to provide "clean and sober housing," addressing one of the most critical unmet needs in the recovery community and a challenging barrier to sustaining recovery.

BARN 

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