Overcoming the Edge for Recovery

HHD professor and graduate students to “rappel for recovery”

As part of National Recovery Month, Hobart ‘Bo’ Cleveland, professor of human development and family studies, Erik Dolgoff, graduate student in human development and family studies, and Samuel Wakely Stull, graduate student in biobehavioral health, are participating in Overcoming the Edge for Recovery, rappelling from the side of a building in downtown State College to raise awareness and resources for the recovery community in Pennsylvania.

Cleveland, Dolgoff, and Stull will “become real life superheroes” by scaling the side of a 12-story building at 131 Heister Street on Sept. 4, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. The event is hosted by the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PaPSC) in partnership with the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance (PRO-A).

“Hopefully having this event in State College will bring attention to the importance of recovery support for both Penn State students and all members of the recovery community Pennsylvania,” said Cleveland. “The opportunity to promote community wellbeing through recovery, whether it is through research or through raising awareness, is at the core of the mission of being a faculty member in the College of Health and Human Development.”

For Cleveland, participating in Overcoming the Edge and supporting the recovery community is also personal.

“My father died of substance abuse, and I know what addiction does to families. I am happy to do just about anything—including rappelling off a 12-story building—to bring attention to the importance of recovery.”

To learn more about how you can support participants’ efforts, contact Bo Cleveland, Erik Dolgoff, and Samuel Stull.

About the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PaPSC)

PaPSC is a statewide network of people who use their own experiences with mental health and/or substance use to support others and inspire hope for recovery. PaPSC provides training and education about peer support and recovery, as well as hosts peer support networking groups for the recovery community.

About the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance (PRO-A)

PRO-A is a statewide, non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery and educating the public and addiction and recovery.