America Honors Recovery Awards: Call for Nominations

Washington, DC –- Faces & Voices of Recovery and Hazelden's Center for Public Advocacy announced the America Honors Recovery awards to recognize 2010's most influential recovery community leaders and organizations. Nominations for individuals and organizations may be made until April 9, 2010.

The Joel Hernandez award will be given to one outstanding recovery community organization and the Vernon Johnson award will be given to three individuals for their service to addiction recovery. Recipients will receive their awards at a July 28, 2010 reception in Washington, DC. They will be joined by Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) who will receive the first-ever America Honors Recovery Legacy award for his leadership in promoting recovery.

“We are delighted to highlight and honor the work of these outstanding individuals and organizations,” said Carol McDaid, Faces & Voices board chair. “Our movement requires passion and commitment from an organized community of people in recovery, families, friends, and allies. We're excited to be able to honor these leaders, including Congressman Patrick Kennedy, together in one evening.”

“I salute Faces & Voices and Hazelden for continuing the Johnson Institute's America Honors Recovery tradition through the Vernon Johnson award,” said Johnny Allem, former president of the Johnson Institute. Vernon Johnson was a pivotal figure in the recovery movement. The Vernon Johnson award will continue the tradition of recognizing the outstanding work of individuals in the recovery community while honoring his legacy. The America Honors Recovery awards program was started in 2005.

“America Honors Recovery will highlight the influence that individuals and organizations can have on educating more people about not just the problem, but the solution,” said William Moyers, Vice President of Foundation Relations, Hazelden.

The Joel Hernandez Award was first given in 2008 to recognize recovery community organizations for their work educating the public about the reality of recovery, advocating for improved public policies and serving the recovery community to advance opportunities for long-term recovery from addiction. Past winners are Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CT) and PRO-ACT (PA). Recipients of the Joel Hernandez award receive a $2000 award.

For more information about the awards and to nominate an organization or individual by the April 9, 2010 deadline, visit: www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org. Please contact Dannie Greenberg at (202)737-0690 with questions.