THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 31, 2020 Page 5 Dream becomes reality: Bridge Recovery Center ready to open doors in Malden Five-year crusade results in establishment of much-needed resource for those battling addiction By Steve Freker P aul Hammersley remembers the six-year-old question vividly, posed to him by the City of Malden’s chief executive. In 2014, Hammersley and a host of other dedicated locals had just launched a grassroots organization, Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA). MOA was created and fueled by a goal to stop the stigma of addiction while assisting those afflicted with the disease and their families with resources they needed. During a discussion shortly afterward, Hammersley recalled a question asked of him by Mayor Gary Christenson, a stalwart supporter of MOA and its mission from its inception. “He [the Mayor] asked me, ‘What’s the end game [for MOA]?” Hammersley, now in his seventh year as chairman of MOA’s Board, was ready with his answer. “I want a building,” he told the Mayor. “I want a building where people can go get the help they deserve.” “We needed a place where people could go” Hammersley says he was not totally familiar with the term “recovery center” at the time – “I just knew we needed a place where people could go, a place where they would be able to talk to someone and have access to the help and resources they needed if As Gavin Foundation CEO John McGahan looks on, Malden Overcoming Addiction (MOA) Board Chairman Paul Hammersley signs an eight-year lease for the Bridge Recovery Center, which will operate at 239 Commercial St. in Malden. (Courtesy Photo/Malden Overcoming Addiction) they suff ered from addiction.” Fast-forward to today and Hammersley is thrilled to report that the dream has indeed become a reality. A longtime crusade that has experienced its fair share of twists and turns, defeats and victories has culminated in the fact that the Bridge Recovery Center will open its doors in Malden in early September. “We are looking at being able to provide services to people who need them just after Labor Day,” Hammersley told The Advocate, at the Center’s location at 239 Commercial St. The Bridge Recovery Center is modeled after others that have come before it, most notably in its core mission as a peer-to-peer recovery center. At a peer-driven center, 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM the Devine Recovery Center in South Boston, and others. MOA has partnered with members create and plan all events and activities. Monthly community meetings give members the opportunity to participate in the planning process. Membership is free to all, Hammersley said, and all those who participate at the center are encouraged “to give back to others by volunteering or sharing their experience, strength and hope with their peers.” Informational meeting held Tuesday night On Tuesday night, a virtual Zoom meeting was held by MOA in conjunction with the Gavin Foundation to offi cially introduce the Bridge Recovery Center of Malden to the public. Participating in the meeting were Hammersley, State Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, Malden and John McGahan, CEO of the Gavin Foundation, which operates the Gavin Foundation on a two-year agreement to assist in operations at the new Malden-based center to facilitate the establishment of an effective and well-run site. “We partnered with Gavin Foundation due to their proven track record and success in operating recovery centers,” Hammersley said. “In two years we intend to have Malden Overcoming Addiction running operations in full. We are very grateful we have Gavin Foundation on board.” Tuesday night McGahan gave a PowerPoint presentation in which he stressed what the recovery center would off er, as well what the recovery center is not. “It is not a detox center or rehab center and not a treatment program,” McGahan said. “We are not allowed to prescribe or dispense medication of any type. We are also not a day shelter … Our main purpose will be to provide referrals for services for those who need them the most, those battling addiction and their families.” DREAM | SEE PAGE 14 In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE!
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