Posted: Friday, June 22, 2018

On Thursday, June 21, The Providence Center (TPC) and Anchor Recovery announced the opening of the Jim Gillen Teen Center, Rhode Island’s first facility designed for teens in recovery from addiction. The Center will be staffed by people in long-term recovery and offer teens age-appropriate supports including meetings, one-on-one recovery coaching, and activities.

The Center is named for the late Jim Gillen, a well-known recovery advocate in Rhode Island that helped to launch the first Anchor Recovery Center in 2008.

“By opening the Jim Gillen Teen Center, our youth can come together to support each other in their recovery after school and on weekends,” said Deb O’Brien, TPC’s president and chief operating officer. “They can begin to explore resources that will assist them in building their recovery capital and have confidence in their future.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Rhode Island has above-average rates of youth substance use. In 2013-2014, about 12.1% of adolescents aged 12 to17 reported using illicit 

drugs within the month prior to being surveyed – compared to a national average of 9.1%.

“Surprisingly, a lot of kids struggle with addiction, and it took me three years of struggling to realize I needed help,” said Tyler Passarelli, a teen who attends the Center.  “The Center is a safe place where teens can come to talk to peers and staff members about their experiences, and  has helped me and a handful of other young adults stay sober.”

Other speakers included Senator Josh Miller and Tom Coderre, a Senior Advisor to Governor Raimondo.

The Center has been open to students from TPC’s Anchor Learning Academy recovery high school since January, but will now accept teens from across the state. The address is 1280 North Main Street in Providence, and questions about referrals can be directed to program manager David Martins at dmartins@provctr.org.