COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Peer Recovery Resources educates those struggling with substance abuse and mental illness

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Messages of encouragement, such as “grow through what you know” and “being vulnerable is being courageous,” line the walls of a classroom at Peer Recovery Resources.

The Wilmington-area nonprofit aims to educate adults and kids who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse through teaching classes.

“Just because you chose a certain path, it doesn’t mean that you can’t choose another one,” Kimber Brock said.

Brock speaks from experience, being six years clean after struggling with substance abuse.

“I work with people that have the same problems that I suffered from,” Brock said.

It’s a team of three generations between Brock, Brock’s daughter Ella Miller and Brock’s mother Diane. The organization has educated hundreds of people in Wilmington through various classes, including one called “WRAP,” or Wellness Recovery Action Plan.

Miller got involved after she lost her sister, Savannah, to gang violence in 2017. It’s still a painful memory for Miller, who was just in sixth grade at the time.

“You have no idea where to put those emotions when you’re a kid and that’s what really, you know struck me to “Hey, maybe there’s something we can do here to help these children,’” Miller said.

Miller says while she didn’t know how to handle her emotions during that time, she hopes she can use that experience to help others. It’s why she teaches classes that she hopes will stop the cycle of violence.

This year, Miller wants to expand the class to young people in our community, with the overall goal of bringing it into area schools.

The mother-daughter pair hopes their story is living proof that pain can be turned into purpose.

“If you stick to the course, and you remain hopeful, you can do anything. You can overcome anything,” Brock said.

Brock says they are working to ensure that anyone who wants to take classes can do so free of cost.

If you want to take a class or get support, you can send an email. For more information, visit the Peer Recovery Resources website.

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