FEBRUARY 2026 Access Center newsletter
A Note from our Volunteer Director
Dear Friends,
It's been a busy time since I last wrote! The holidays really showed us how many friends and supporters we have at the Access Center. We were open on the holidays when most other services were not, yet thanks to the spirit of generosity our participants enjoyed the treats and feasts of the season. We had bakers who supplied hot muffins for breakfast and homemade holiday cookies.
South Paris Church brought 50 Christmas dinners including the most tender turkey and trimmings. The week before Christmas, our youth group, the ME-RAP Youth Caucus, created a free toy store so our participants could have gifts for their young ones. We also rang in New Year's Eve with a sober dance party. Food, worthy of a celebration, was prepared by Angel Surillo of Sober House FGC, and volunteers Nancy Smith and Mary Hayden. DJ skills were provided by one of our newest volunteers, Lane Logan.
Now we are shifting our eyes to a new year and expanding recovery support hours at the Access Center. To make this possible, we are need your help to fill volunteer shifts Monday to Friday from 5PM to 9PM and Saturdays from 11 AM to 2PM! Volunteers help support the snack counter, set up recovery meetings, clean and reset the space, and keep the Center running smoothly.
These roles are a great fit for people who believe in peer-led, community-based recovery and want to support folks in early recovery and recovery residences. These shifts are essential to keeping the Center open during expanded hours! If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out our volunteer application!
Thank you for all that you do to help make the Access Center possible! 💛
Good wishes for the year ahead,
Jeanne Marquis
ME-RAP Volunteer Director
Volunteers: Save the Date, February 21, 6 pm.
Our First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event!
Want to help but can't volunteer?
Check out our wishlist!
The Access Center goes through a lot of coffee, sugar, and creamer each week because our space runs on connection and comfort. Right now, our shelves are getting low!
We are also in urgent need of Straight Talk phones and phone cards. These help folks stay connected to recovery supports, medical care, housing leads, and their people. Small items, big impact.
If you’re able to help, we’re looking for: Ground coffee, sugar, powdered creamer, straight Talk phones, and straight Talk phone cards.
Volunteer of the month
Angel Surillo from the Sober House FGC is Access Center's Volunteer of the Month. His bigger than life positive attitude and "I can get this done" philosophy has made him a VIP. Plus, this man can cook for huge numbers of diners. He tells us his love of cooking came from his adopted mother, who encouraged him to go to culinary school. He credits his many hours of community service work, attendance at meetings and hosting his own meeting for keeping his sobriety on track.
Angel says, "I love giving back to the community, networking and meeting new people because we recover together."