Tree of Hope celebrated their GRAND OPENING on July 28, 2022, opening a new office in Rockville at 30 Courthouse Square, right by the court house. Tree of Hope’s mission is to educate and advocate for individuals in the recovery community- bridging the gap to community resources so they may experience a more holistic continuum of care. Tree of Hope empowers individuals in recovery to enter society as productive members and remove the stigma of recovery.
On July 28, 2022, Tree of Hope opened a new office in Rockville at 30 Courthouse Square. The Co-Executive Directors, LaTonia and Edwin “Bunny” Rich accepted the Proclamations from the County Executive and the County Councilmembers. Speakers included County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmembers Sidney Katz, Will Jawando, and Andrew Friedson, as well as Judge Nelson Rupp (Drug Court), Dr. Raymond Crowel (DHHS) and Meghan Westwood (Maryland Treatment Center).
Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich presenting a Proclamation to LaTonia and Bunny Rich, the Co-Executive Directors of Tree of Hope.
LaTonia and Bunny say they stand on the shoulders of the community, creating partnerships, friendships, and new opportunities for Montgomery County. Also, they say that our host of Road to Recovery, James Sutton has been instrumental with Peer Recovery and AODAAC and doesn’t believe they would be here without him. He pulled and encouraged Bunny all the way! Watch the episode with LaTonia and Bunny here.
Marc Elrich, The Montgomery County Executive opened up about a friend that battled addiction and knows that it’s critical to have resources like Tree of Hope in the county. When the number of opioid addictions is astronomical and can effect anyone. The opioid crisis goes back decades. The only difference is, that it effects a broader population now and it has gotten peoples attention!
County Councilmembers Sidney Katz, Will Jawando, and Andrew Friedson, presenting the Proclamations to LaTonia and Bunny Rich, Co-Executive Directors at Tree of Hope.
The Proclamation Reads:
Where as Tree of Hope that started in 2014 as Avery Road Alumni by a group of people in recovery who wanted to give back to help others connect to recovery. Their peer run, completely volunteer organization that provides peer mentoring, peer training, and social integration programing for people in recovery or in need of a new start and where as TOH provides referral treatment, certificate peer recovery specialist program trainings, one on one peer support, and peer groups for all. They’ve trained over 600 recovery coaches across the state of Maryland and facilitate groups and shelters systems, and treatment serving over 200. They’ve opened up a safe place to connect people in recovery to the needed resources to start their new lives successfully. TOH aims to put recovery to work and where as TOH is opening the doors to the first recovery community center in Montgomery County, certified by the National Association Faces and Voices of Recovery. Clients can self refer or be referred…
Councilmember Will Jawando presenting Proclamation
Watch the ceremony below!
