🚀 4th Annual United Recovery In The Park

A Day of Hope, Connection, and Community

The 4th Annual United Recovery in the Park brought hundreds of people together on September 26 for a day of celebration, encouragement, and meaningful connection.🤝

Reflecting on the event, Karla Vessels, Program Director of Connection Center North Texas, shared:

“On behalf of the North Texas Connection Center, I want to thank each of you for attending United Recovery in the Park this past Saturday at Forest Park in Denison. Because of you, the day was a true success. You showed up with open hearts, celebrated recovery in all its forms, and reminded every person there, especially those still finding their way, that recovery is possible and that no one has to do it alone. That is what community looks like, and I am so grateful to be part of this one with you.

Thank you as well to our vendors, volunteers, and everyone who gave their time and energy to make the day happen. Events like this don't come together without a lot of heart behind the scenes.

Please stay connected with us. Our doors are always open, and we'd love to see you at future events. If you or someone you love needs support, please don't hesitate to reach out.”

Karla Vessels
Program Director, Connection Center North Texas

💚 A heartfelt reminder of what can happen when people show up for one another, create space for connection, and celebrate every step of the journey together.

Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) State Conference 2026

Connection, Conversation, and Peer Perspectives ⚓

Form Communities took part in the 52nd TAAP State Conference in San Antonio early September, joining addiction professionals, recovery supporters, and peers from across Texas for learning, collaboration, and meaningful conversation. As part of the conference, members from the leadership team led a panel titled “Three Communities, One Team: Comparing the Peer Specialist Experience across Texas.” The discussion brought together peer specialists to share their personal experiences, challenges, and perspectives from working in different communities.

The panel created space for honest conversation about the realities of peer support work and highlighted how those experiences can vary across the state. It also offered an opportunity to exchange ideas, hear directly from others in the field, and strengthen professional relationships. The conference was a meaningful opportunity to elevate peer voices and deepen connections within the recovery community. 🤝

Houston Rally for Recovery

Community at the Heart of Recovery

Houston Peer Success recently took part in the Houston Rally for Recovery, joining community partners and supporters for a day centered on recovery, connection, and shared resources.

The event offered an opportunity to reconnect with existing partners, build new relationships, and discover additional resources that can support individuals and families in the community.
The experience was also a reminder that community remains at the heart of the work they do. Events like this create space to come together, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate recovery alongside others who share the same commitment. Building stronger connections and expanding the circle of support for recovery.

Join us for a day of wellness, friendly competition, and giving back. 🏓This event is about more than pickleball. It’s a chance to get moving, connect with others, and come together for a cause that reaches beyond the court.

Proceeds will help support the sleeping bag drive, providing warmth, comfort, and practical support to neighbors experiencing homelessness. Come ready to play, connect, and be part of a community effort that turns every rally into something meaningful.

Play. Connect. Give Back.

Step away from the everyday and make space for rest, perspective, and renewal. 🌲

This peer-led retreat creates a supportive environment centered on mental wellness, personal growth, and genuine conversation. Through outdoor activities, shared experiences, and time to reflect, participants can slow down, build brotherhood, and focus on what matters most.

Come ready to unplug, be present, and leave with something meaningful to carry forward.

"We are each other’s harvest

 we are each other’s business

we are each other’s magnitude and bond."

-  Gwendolyn Brooks

Our well-being is shaped not only by what happens within us, but also by the relationships and communities surrounding us. Gwendolyn Brooks’ words remind us that we have the ability to make a meaningful difference in one another’s lives, sometimes through something as simple as listening, checking in, offering encouragement, or being present.

We may not always know what someone else is carrying. A small moment of genuine connection can remind another person that they are seen, valued, and not alone.

Think of someone in your life or community who you haven’t connected with in a while. Send a message, make a call, share a kind word, or simply ask, “How are you, really?” Sometimes supporting mental well-being begins with showing one another that we care.

If you could leave yourself one sentence to read on a difficult day, what would you write?

Take a moment to pause and think about this question. 

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