Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center graduates 20 from the program

BLOUNTVILLE, TN. — It took just over a year for participants in the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Court Program to complete their degrees. They work through mental health services, find jobs, and now they can officially call themselves graduates of the program.

Piper Webster is part of the first clinical graduating class for women – one of 20 participants in both the inpatient and outpatient programs.

“It’s single-handedly the most important thing I’ve done for myself,” said Webster,

The ceremony was attended by state and local representatives who have pushed for the program’s creation since its inception, including Governor Bill Lee who presented diplomas.

“I remember when this was just an idea and I saw how people’s preferences changed, how redemption came to life in the lives of those who had fallen on hard times and who have now turned their lives in a different direction. It’s powerful,” Lee said.

The program, which has given former addicts a second chance, was organized by local district judges, including Judges Rice and Goodwin.

“It’s just amazing to see how successfully the men and women who have overcome their addictions are working and providing for their families by purchasing cars,” Rice said.

“What I’m excited to see is them being reunited with their children, being reunited with their families and being productive,” Goodwin said.

For Piper Webster, recovery isn’t just about overcoming addiction.

“I just wanted to feel good about myself. That was my main goal: to just be able to be confident, trust myself and really just find my own identity and who I am,” Webster said.

For Piper, healing herself is just the beginning.

“I’m very interested and looking forward to reaching out to the recovery community and I enjoy really building that network. We’re just the foundation for this program. We are the first graduates and the women coming behind me. “I want to be a lot of hope and inspiration,” she said.