Ribbon cutting program at the Recovery Community Center Saturday in Lewiston

Debra York, executive director and founder of An Angel’s Wing, sits at the new Josh Stevens Recovery Community Center on Pine Street in Lewiston on Thursday. The center will support people with substance use and mental health needs. Since it opened in June, more than 20 people have sought help, with some referred to long-term rehab centers, detox centers or recovery centers, York said. The peer-run center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 118 Pine St. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

LEWISTON – An Angel’s Wing will cut the ribbon Saturday on the Josh Stevens Recovery Community Center, with the goal of helping people with substance use disorders seek recovery, mental health referrals and additional resources to meet their needs, according to a news release from Wednesday. The center will also host events and support groups.

Since the center opened in June, more than 20 people have sought help there, with at least four people walking in from the street, An Angel’s Wing Executive Director Debra York said. All four of these individuals had no telephones and two were unhoused. The staff was able to help them with treatment options.

“We have had an impact on the Tree Street area in just a few months,” she said.

One of the four who came in off the street entered long-term rehabilitation, two went to a detox center, then a recovery home and the fourth received long-term treatment, she said.

Although An Angel’s Wing operates several recovery homes, the center’s staff helps people everywhere secure space in programs, even if they are in recovery homes not operated by the organization, she said.

Typically, York tries to help people find resources near where they want to end up, whether that’s in Lewiston or elsewhere, she said. Sometimes it is better for people to go to rehab or treatment before being placed in a recovery home.

An Angel’s Wing partners with Portland-based Recovery Community Centers, which helps organizations across the board get recovery centers off the ground — providing training and materials, she said. There are also certain standards that organizations must meet to be part of their network.

Funding to open the center came from a $10,000 grant from the city, along with a grant of about $3,500 from Healthy Neighborhoods, she said.

The centre, run by colleagues and volunteers, is dedicated to Joshua Stevens who died not far from the center this year. He is the brother of Shannon Chase, chairman of the board of directors of An Angel’s Wing.

York hopes the “much-needed” center will provide a safe and supportive place where people can get help, she said.

“I just want everyone to know that there is hope, there is help and we will help them recover – whatever that looks like,” she said.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 118 Pine St. The ribbon cutting begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.