PNV is an outpatient treatment program with a focus on the
city of Bridgeport, targeting Spanish speaking (male and female) residents of
the greater Bridgeport area who may be poor, unemployed or underemployed and
have a criminal background. PNV works in collaboration with HIV care services
at the Optimus Community Health Center and vocational services at the COOP
center in Bridgeport. PNV sees an increasing population of non-treatment
seeking individuals mandated to care through DCF or through the criminal
justice system.
PNV features an active peer-mentoring program that is inclusive of the
recovering community at large. Emphasis is placed on empowerment, community
involvement and cultural pride. The mentorship program is a peer-driven,
peer-led, and peer-operated recovery support program that supports diverse
pathways to recovery and includes all
aspects of what the recovering community is seeking: family support activities;
recovery forums for those in recovery and their families; events and
celebrations for spiritual growth; community involvement and civic service; alcohol and drug-free
recreational/social activities; the value and the power of the “wounded
healer,” helping oneself by helping others; legislative education and advocacy
that work to put a visible face on recovery in the Latino and African American
community; active involvement in the annual CCAR Recovery Walks effort.
