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SERLC Quarterly Newsletter Autumn 2025
Recovery Story Spotlight
In our community, recovery is not just a personal journey. It’s a shared act of courage and connection. When people speak their truth, they challenge stigma, celebrate resilience, and light the way for others still finding their path. Each story, whether messy or triumphant, is honored as part of a collective healing process. At the SERLC, we’re rewriting the narrative: recovery is visible, powerful, and deeply human. By amplifying these journeys, we foster understanding, build bridges, and make space for every survivor’s truth to be seen and valued.
Christine Kelley-Tavares, CPS
(She/Her/Hers)
Program Director
Quincy Recovery Connection Center
I am Christine, and I have been a Peer Specialist since 2019. I was led to become a Peer Specialist through tough times I experienced.
I grew up in a household of addiction, fear, coercion and abuse. In 1999, I lost my best friend to a heroin overdose. My ex-husband, was addicted to drugs and we had 2 children together. I was alone to apply for benefits, to take them to appointments and school, I struggled with depression and anxiety. The isolation of being a single parent and trauma from my past was overwhelming. At times I used drugs and alcohol to manage my feelings. I felt stuck in a cycle of hopelessness.
Even though times had been difficult for me, I knew I would be able to rise above it all. I had done well in school, and though I was unable to complete college due to mental health challenges, I was able to complete a year of voluntary community service with City Year, where I assisted with new team start-up and a program called Young Heroes.
I worked for many years as a nursing assistant, which led me to a job on a team that assisted people in the community living with mental health conditions. I learned I was able to use my lived experience with trauma and loss to help others.
"My proudest achievement is raising my 2 wonderful kids.
I am proud that I continued to push through many difficult days.”
Today, I am the Program Director of the Quincy Recovery Connection Center. A role I love. It gives me the ability to use my experiences. I am committed to our work at the QRCC and do what it takes to help others rise to be their best selves.