Photo: A group of women peruse Valley Youth House rehabilitation services at ‘Recovery City’ Film Screening and Resource Fair.
[Allentown, PA – May 16, 2025] — More than a dozen local organizations, recovery advocates, and residents came together at the Civic Theatre of Allentown on Wednesday for a public screening of Recovery City, a stirring documentary that captures the lives of four mothers navigating addiction recovery. The event, funded by Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Services (LCDA) and hosted by the Center for Humanistic Change (CHC), drew nearly 200 attendees and served as a catalyst for conversations around stigma, opioid recovery and housing.The evening opened with a Community Resource Fair, where Valley Youth House, Mid-Atlantic Rehabilitation Services (MARS), Westminster Homes of the Lehigh Valley, the Journeys Program, and more offered overdose prevention and harm reduction tools and information.
Attendees then viewed Recovery City, directed by Lisa Olivieri, who joined for a post-film Q&A. The award-winning filmmaker shared insights into her five-year journey capturing the intimate and resilient stories of women balancing recovery, motherhood, and housing insecurity.
“The film humanizes recovery and teaches us all about the difficult path women face when trying to rebuild their lives,” said Molly Stanton, Assistant Administrator for LCDA. “By screening Recovery City, we were able to spark meaningful dialogue and bring visibility to the challenges of mothers in recovery.”
Lehigh County District Attorney, Gavin Holihan, delivered opening remarks and emphasized the importance of partnerships between justice, health, and human services.
“By working together with LCDA and CHC, executing events such as this, we get the opportunity to listen, learn, and act in a way that better serves families in need,” Holihan stated.
This community screening also signaled the upcoming launch of a recovery housing initiative led by Lehigh County, meeting secondary needs of the Journeys Program participants, Westminster Homes of the Lehigh Valley. The initiative will provide transitional housing and support services to pregnant women and mothers affected by opioid use, keeping families together as they rebuild their lives. The housing initiative will be jointly funded through opioid settlement funds provided by both the District Attorney’s office and Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol.
Andrew D’Angelo, Executive Director, Center for Humanistic Change commented, “Recovery City gave our community the opportunity to witness the strength, struggle, and resilience of women in recovery. Events like this are essential for reducing stigma and connecting people with real solutions. CHC is proud to be a part of that movement.”
For additional information, contact Molly Stanton, Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol Services, at (484) 656-5891 or MollyStanton@lehighcounty.org.
About Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol
Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol is the Single County Authority (SCA) that manages federal, state, and local dollars to combat addiction in the County. Via a network of contracted providers, Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol offers a full spectrum of services to county residents. This includes prevention and early intervention in local schools and in the community seeking to overcome addiction by stopping it before it starts, through education and innovative community events. For more information, visit riseaboveopiods.org.
About the Center for Humanistic Change (CHC):
Founded in 1979, the Center for Humanistic Change (CHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prevention education and life skills training to residents of the Lehigh Valley. CHC’s mission is to equip individuals, especially youth, with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed and positive life choices. Through interactive, client-centered programs delivered in schools, workplaces, and community settings, CHC addresses critical topics such as substance abuse prevention, violence and bullying prevention, and personal development. By fostering resilience and informed decision-making, CHC empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges effectively. For more information, visit thechc.org.
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