Caribbean Haven Residential Centre announces community activities for Recovery Month 2025

In recognition of Recovery Month, Caribbean Haven Residential Centre (CHRC) is hosting a series of community events designed to encourage awareness of substance addiction and mental health and celebrate the hope and transformation of recovery.

Recovery Month, which started in 1989 in the United States, is celebrated in September and aims to tackle the stigma around addiction and mental health and promote the idea that recovery is possible. CHRC has been recognising the month for 16 years, and September’s Recovery Month has become a focal-point of the centre's calendar.

The centre specialises in treating individuals who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, many of whom also have co-occurring mental health concerns and complex histories of trauma. CHRC offers non-medical withdrawal management and long-term residential services for adults who wish to build a life where they no longer use substances.

This year's schedule offers the community a variety of activities that provide learning and education as well as community connection, giving, and plenty of family-friendly fun.

The CHRC Recovery Month schedule of events is as follows:

·         Break the Cycle - Lunch and Learn
Wednesday 10 September, 12pm-1pm
The Counselling Centre, 75 Fort Street, George Town
Call 949-8789 to register in advance.

·         Sunrise Yoga
Saturday 13 September, 6.30am
Governor's Beach

·         Movie Night and Panel Discussion: Flight (2012)
Friday 19 September, 6pm-10pm
Camana Bay Cinema, Camana Bay
Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5V9HY5H to register in advance.

·         Donation Drive
Monday 22 to Friday 26 September
Drop-off available at The Counselling Centre, 75 Fort Street, George Town and the Government Administration Building (main entrance), 133 Elgin Avenue, George Town

Visit https://www.chrc.gov.ky/supply-drive for a list of supplies being accepted for donation

 

·         Family Fun Day
Saturday 27 September, 10am-3pm
Cayman Turtle Centre, West Bay

Call 949-8789 or visit https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ALvSKuW5DE  to register attendance in advance. 

 

Kimberly Febres, Clinical Supervisor at the Caribbean Haven Residential Centre, said: "Recovery Month is an opportunity for us to engage with the wider community about the realities of addiction and the road to recovery. We know that when people are struggling to overcome addiction or a substance use disorder it can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. CHRC provides therapeutic support all-year-round and through these Recovery Month events we encourage all members of the community to come out, ask questions and learn more about our services and the path to recovery."

A highlight of the calendar of events is the family fun day, on Saturday 27 September, at the Cayman Turtle Centre, West Bay, an all-day event where families and friends can gather to enjoy a day out, live music and food.

The month-long celebrations also provide the community with opportunities to support CHRC’s work, as the centre's donation drive collects clothes and underwear, socks and flip flops, books, art supplies, reusable water bottles and hygiene items for service-users who arrive at the residential centre without basic supplies. Members of the CHRC staff will be receiving donations at 75 Fort Street and the Government Administration Building. Individual and corporate partners who wish to support the drive should contact 947-9992.

Caribbean Haven, which has been a centre of hope and recovery for the people of the Cayman Islands for over two decades, will also be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in November this year. CHRC was opened on 16 November 2000, by the Honourable Anthony Eden who was the Minister of Health at the time.  Since opening, the centre's approach to treatment has been person-centred, inclusive, collaborative, and is driven by the client’s readiness for change. 

Judith Seymour, Director of the Department of Counselling Services, said: "Substance misuse and addiction continues to be a challenge in our community. More people are struggling with addiction and substance use disorders, and the stigma continues to hold some people back from seeking help. We believe that by sharing the stories of hope and transformation, it will encourage people to get help for themselves or a loved one. This centre has provided rehabilitation services to the people of the Cayman Islands for almost 25 years, and we have seen countless people come through the gates struggling to even hope that they can recover, and leave armed with the purpose, skills and abilities they need to be successful in their recovery."

Neyka Webster, Acting Chief Officer for the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, added: "The Ministry is pleased to support Caribbean Haven Residential Centre's Recovery Month events. The centre is an integral part of our mental health landscape and service provision, and while the road to recovery may be long, it is possible. We hope that this month, and beyond, people across our community — Caymanians and residents alike — that are dealing with substance misuse can reach out and get the help they need."

All donations from the events will go towards supporting the programmes and services of CHRC.

For more information on CHRC's services please visit https://www.chrc.gov.ky.