This is the sixth story in a series sharing different perspectives about how the current opioid crisis affects our town and ways people with ties to Hingham are reaching out to others to provide support and help to those who are fighting substance use disorder.
October 28, 2019 by Carol Britton Meyer
The Anchor program, created and supported by North Street Community Church in Hingham, focuses on addiction prevention, recovery, and the arts.
Lead Pastor Jeremy Scott and Associate Pastor Kurt Gerold run the program, and both are recovery coaches. The overall goal, Scott said, is "to help people navigate life in healthy ways."
The Anchor is designed to be a “safe space," providing community support along with prevention and recovery services for those struggling with substance misuse disorder, alcoholism, and other issues -- and their families.
While the program is “officially” called The Anchor of Hull because the physical building is located at 7 Hadasah Way in neighboring Hull, it also serves residents of Hingham, Cohasset, Weymouth, and other neighboring communities.
The program, founded by the North Street Community Church of the Nazarene at 235 North St. in Hingham, started in 2016 and has since provided assistance to hundreds of individuals struggling with various addictions through one-on-one interaction, placement in detox facilities and recovery programs tailored to each individual’s needs, recovery meetings, overdose awareness and prevention training, sober events, and a full calendar offering many different activities -- including the well-attended and supportive Family Afterwards meetings based in Hingham for affected families — and staff trained as recovery coaches.
Support for those in recovery and their families is readily available. The center is a resource for anyone in need of help, direction, guidance, or a place to come and talk -- or just hang out.
"It's all about people in recovery sharing their stories and the message that there is hope. This is an issue that affects people of all ages, regardless of their economic, social, or other status," said Gerold, who serves as executive director. "Recovery is one of the needs we address, but our mission is to create a sense of community. Our doors are open for people of all ages, no matter what challenges they are facing."
Program growing
Since the Anchor’s creation 2-1/2 years ago, the program has grown and continues to thrive. “The Anchor really is a community. People are really on board — the word is getting around. The key factor in recovery is community,” Gerold said. “The Anchor is attracting all different types of people — some in recovery and others who just like to come and chill on Saturday nights or join our Monday Bible study or other activities. The Anchor is a gathering place for individuals from Hingham, Hull, and other communities where we’re breaking down walls and the barriers caused by the stigma [often associated with substance use disorder.”
As a recovery coach, Gerold works closely with Hingham Police Chief Glenn Olsson and Hull Police Chief John Dunn to help individuals struggling with substance use disorder and their families. Recovery coaches guide an individual through every stage of his or her recovery, from getting into treatment to goal planning.
The Anchor is also about helping to remove the stigma often associated with drug addiction and to deal compassionately with those struggling with substance use disorder and alcoholism as well as anxiety, depression, and other issues that often go hand-in-hand with addiction. "We can help direct people to resources related to mental health issues," Gerold said.
The prayer room at The Anchor has a remembrance wall listing the names of those who have lost their lives due to addiction issues. The community room offers a large-screen TV and video games, pool and ping pong tables, a roll-out stage for open mic nights and other events, a donated piano, and a lounge area -- with one wall featuring graffiti art with a " Rise, Recover, Live" theme.
A major part of the Anchor's programming model is providing time, space, and friends for safe sober events throughout the week and year on key nights and holidays.
Hull resident Josef Espinosa, who owns a business in Hingham, was a big contributor in helping to get the center up and running in time for the grand opening this spring. "He showed up on one of our work days wanting to give back to the community," Scott said, "but he went way beyond that, doing much of the painting, donating furniture, and inviting others to volunteer as well."
Espinosa, who owns Main Street Interiors -- a consulting business -- at 340 Main St. in Hingham, said some of his clients made financial contributions to the Anchor and donated furnishings. "The idea was to create a center with a peaceful, welcoming feeling," he said. This has been accomplished. Hingham residents are welcome to stop by to experience for themselves how the program works.
Espinosa said volunteering for this worthwhile effort has been a learning experience. "We all have personal [knowledge of] the effects of addiction," he said. "My connection with the Anchor team is wonderful. Their hearts are in such a great place."
Anchor community events
*Bible Study: Monday evenings, 7 p.m.
*Mindfulness: Tuesdays series, 7 p.m.This program includes meditation, yoga, meditative art, and more. The class is free and open to all, no experience necessary.
*Family Afterwards Meeting, Wednesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at North Street Community Chapel, 235 North St., Hingham. For family members and loved ones who have been touched by alcoholism and addiction. For more info call (781) 733-5742
* SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery, Thursdays, 7 p.m.
*Friday Night Revival, AA meeting with speaker, 7 p.m.
*Saturday Night Hangs at The Anchor of Hull, 5 to 9 p.m. Open to anyone looking for a safe, sober space to hang out -- board games, video games, ping pong, foosball, music, and snacks.
All events except the Family Afterwards group take place at The Anchor, 7 Hadasah Way, Hull. These events are open to everyone who is interested.
*The Anchor staff: Kurt Gerold, Executive Director; Emily Ludwig, Program Director; Dennis Scott, Development Director; Jeremy Scott, Lead Pastor. The program was created, and is supported by, North Street Community Church in Hingham.
*For more information about The Anchor program and the activities offered visit www.theanchorofhull.org or email theanchor@northst.org; or call (781) 534-9327.
*Donations: Contributions of any size are welcome and may be made at the Anchor's giving site -- http://giving.theanchorofhull.org. Checks may be mailed to North Street Community Church of the Nazarene, The Anchor, 235 North St., Hingham, MA 02043. Goals include bathroom accessibility conversion, $40,000; break room remodeling, $10,000; sober events, $20,000; Anchor General Fund, $300,000.
