PRESS RELEASE

Johnstown, PA- Miss Pennsylvania Alysa Bainbridge will be the featured speaker at a recovery impact event, Rise and Share, hosted on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ).

Rise and Share: The Message of Recovery Through Art will be held on Thursday, March 16th from 5:30- 8:00pm at 214 Student Union Drive, Johnstown PA. Students, community members and all who have been personally impacted by the disease of addiction are encouraged to join together in the Cambria Room located on the first floor of the UPJ Student Union for an evening of sharing the hope-filled message of recovery through art.

In addition to Miss Pennsylvania presenting her message on self-care and her fight to help end stigma, UPJ Alumni Kaitlyn Poad will share the role of the arts in her recovery advocacy journey. Rise and Share will also feature performances by the UPJ student-led Black Action Society, Dance Ensemble, and Theater Club. Campus and community members in attendance will be invited to participate in collaborative art projects and open-mic sharing of recovery stories.

Fiona Knoster, a Bedford County native and a senior communication major at UPJ is the inspiration behind this first-time event. She said, “After performing a Qualtrics survey on the UPJ campus, I found that 93% of those who responded have been impacted by substance use disorder either through a friend, family member, or themselves. My intention with Rise and Share is to create a community on and off campus that is inclusive, does not shame, desires healing, and encourages recovery.”

Fiona was accepted by SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) Project as a 2022/23 participant in their Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy which is a fellowship program for students who are passionate about the intersection of collegiate recovery, leadership, and advocacy. In addition to SAFE Project, local community organizations Impact Counseling LLC and Parents of Addicted Loved Ones are sponsoring the event.

The purpose of Rise and Share is to provide a creative and welcoming atmosphere that fosters and celebrates the reality of recovery for those impacted by substance use disorders. Come be encouraged, be informed, and be a part of a supportive campus community! For more information about the Rise and Share event, please contact Fiona Knoster at [email protected].