Thank you for taking the time to read our December recap. We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our community partners, first responders, service providers, and dedicated ECO team for all of the hard work in 2025. Your continued collaboration and commitment make it possible for us to deliver recovery support and resources to individuals and families across Essex County.
Every outreach, referral, and follow-up reflects the collective effort behind this work. Whether the need is immediate or long-term, your partnership helps ensure that people know they are not alone and that support is always within reach.
If you know someone in Essex County who is seeking recovery services, or a family member who needs help supporting a loved one, please contact us at 978-961-7388.
RESOURCES AND SERVICES DATA DECEMBER 2025
Throughout December, ECO worked closely with local police departments and community partners to provide recovery-focused services to both housed and unhoused residents throughout Essex County. Below is a snapshot of our activity for the month.
Rides Provided: 4
Transportation remains a major barrier for many individuals seeking treatment or recovery supports. ECO offers rides to recovery-related destinations including detox facilities, inpatient and outpatient programs, medical appointments, hospitals, court appearances, AA/NA meetings, and more.
Ride requests were lower this month again. We encourage community partners and residents to help spread awareness about this important resource. Individuals interested in ride assistance may request an application through our contact form or by connecting directly with one of our Recovery Coaches. Contact us at 978-961-7388 for more information.
Sober Living Scholarships Provided in 2025: 70
As of December, ECO has supported 70 unique individuals with sober living scholarships, totaling $35,250 in awarded funds throughout 2025.
We are deeply grateful to our sober home partners for their ongoing dedication to maintaining safe, supportive, and recovery-centered living environments for those taking critical steps forward in their recovery journeys.
Outreaches Conducted: 141
ECO Recovery Coaches conducted 141 outreaches during December. Outreach efforts take place in a variety of settings, including street-based outreach, shelters and transitional housing, community events and service projects, alongside local police departments, and other community-based locations.
Clients Who Accepted Services: 74
Out of the 141 in-person outreaches conducted in December, 74 individuals accepted services. This figure does not capture individuals who initially declined services but later reconnected with ECO weeks or months afterward—an outcome we see frequently as trust and readiness develop over time.
Follow-Ups and Client Engagements: 346
Following initial outreach, ECO places strong emphasis on continued engagement. Our Recovery Coaches conduct follow-ups to ensure individuals are successfully connected to treatment, housing, benefits, recovery supports, and other essential services.
In December, ECO recorded 346 follow-ups and client engagements. This number reflects each individual interaction, meaning a single client may account for multiple engagements. Long-term connection remains a cornerstone of our approach, and many clients continue working with ECO well beyond their first contact.
Please note that the data above represents estimates intended to provide a general snapshot and may not account for all activity. Not all ECO Regions are reflected in December’s numbers.
DECEMBER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
ECO had an extremely busy month of events, and we are grateful for the many opportunities to connect with local police departments, community partners, and residents. Together, we celebrated recovery, honored the lives of those we’ve lost, and shared resources and information with those in need of support.
What you’ll see below are just a few highlights from the month. There’s much more we’ve been up to! For additional events, updates, and news, be sure to visit our Facebook page.
Grief Awareness Week | December 1st-December 5th, 2025
To kick off December, ECO observed Grief Awareness Week. This was a time to remind one another that grief is nothing to hide or feel ashamed of. Grief is normal, natural, and different for every person.
There are resources and communities ready to help. We chose highlight three incredible local organizations offering support to those grieving the loss of a loved one due to substance-related causes: Learn 2 Cope, SADOD, and The Sun Will Rise Foundation, Inc. Each provide compassionate resources, community connection, and guidance for individuals and families navigating this kind of loss. If you would like to get connected with one of these resources but aren’t sure how, please contact us at 978-961-7388 for more information.
Healing for the Holidays | Salem, MA | December 13th, 2025
On December 13th, ECO co-hosted Healing for the Holidays with local peer grief organization The Sun Will Rise and Beverly-based Northshore Recovery High School. This was a warm and intimate gathering of folks who sought to remember their loved ones, create an ornament in their memory, share a meal with community members who understand, and write “hope cards” for individuals in treatment over the holidays. These cards were given to a detox facility in Essex County.
ECO Hosts Community Pop-Up Shop | Salisbury, MA | December 14th, 2025
The day after Healing for the Holidays, ECO allowed community partners to utilize our Salisbury office space (this was before the move) for a special community pop-up shop. A pop-up like this is essentially a temporary, free “store” created to make donated clothing and essentials easily accessible to people who need them.
Donations for this pop-up shop were collected several weekends prior, and the office was set up for guests to select winter items they wanted and needed.
National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day | December 21st, 2025 | Gloucester, MA
ECO and SADOD teamed up on December 21st in Gloucester for National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day. Observed on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, this gathering honors and remembers individuals who have died while experiencing homelessness.
No one should lose their life due to a lack of housing. This evening was both a space for remembrance and reflection, and a call to action to confront and address the root causes of homelessness in our communities. We appreciate our ECO Recovery Coaches and community partners who work consistently with unhoused individual on their recovery and well-being.
Guests of this event gathered for gentle words and blessing from Reverend Dave Prentice. Carolers sang, and red and white roses were placed into the ocean, along the chain fence, or taken home to press between pages as tokens of memory. Red and white tea lights glowed in the park to represent lives we miss. This was a special evening, and we appreciate SADOD (especially Melissa Lezynski) for this event and all other important events they hold in the community.