UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) is celebrating 10 years of helping students fight substance use disorders this year. The CRC embodies Penn State’s core values, including support for fellow students and service to the community.
The students in recovery abstain from consuming alcohol and using other drugs, committing themselves to a program of action that will maximize their chances of achieving long-term recovery while meeting their educational and other life goals. Currently, the CRC serves roughly 25 students at University Park.
“It’s exciting for our community to reach this 10-year mark,” said Jason Whitney, CRC program director since its inception in 2011. “There are many people who worked tirelessly to grow this program into a strong source of support for students with severe substance use disorders. Without ongoing support, these students struggle tremendously. With the help of this program, we’ve seen 10 years of students who succeed in their recoveries, who thrive academically and who achieve professional careers, all while giving back through service to their fellow students.”
The CRC hosts three recovery seminars weekly during which students discuss the issues they face as students in recovery at Penn State. At the center, located in 105 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at University Park, the CRC offers a weekly lunch and meeting from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
In addition, the CRC coordinates community-building activities and travel opportunities, and provides academic, student conduct, and admissions advocacy. Students enjoy the support of a strong alumni community that supports recovery. Active members of the CRC are eligible to apply for dedicated scholarships and awards.
Some of the students in the program live in the Residence of Addiction Recovery (ROAR) House, a Living Learning Community at University Park created by Residence Life. These students are asked to not invite guests who may possess or be under the influence of drugs. One student serves as the ROAR House program manager to ensure the healthy functioning of the residence.
All students in the program must sign a membership agreement through which they agree to abstain from consuming alcohol or using other drugs; to attend at least one of the weekly peer support seminars, and to work a program outside of the CRC. The majority attend 12-step meetings (or an equivalent) and work regularly with a sponsor (or equivalent).
Two affiliated organizations are the student organization, Lions for Recovery, and the alumni organization, also called Lions in Recovery. For more information regarding how to join either group, visit their websites.
While the program is only available at University Park, the CRC welcomes inquiries from Commonwealth Campus students, and some of CRC programming can be accessed remotely on Zoom. Contact the CRC by calling 814-863-0140 or emailing Jason Whitney, program director, at jxw411@psu.edu.