For Philip Cooper, INSPIRE Coordinator at Land of Sky Regional Council, helping his community recover from substance use disorder is not just a job – it’s a personal, lifelong commitment.
Philip’s family has called Appalachia home for generations. Though the spirit of hard work and resilience was always in him, life circumstances – divorce, moving into public housing with his single mother, and poverty – took an early toll. Philip began looking to “the wrong role models” to channel his work ethic; specifically, role models who “weren’t broke” by selling illegal substances. Years of selling and using eventually landed Philip in prison in 2007.
I didn’t have drugs. I had to feel everything…One of the best and worst things in recovery is you get your feelings back.
Philip Cooper
To cope emotionally, Philip joined A New Direction, a treatment program where he eventually became a peer counselor and was encouraged by staff to pursue it as a career. After completing his sentence, Philip soon enrolled in community college, worked in crisis stabilization, got certified in peer counseling, and earned his degree.
A Career in Counseling
Eventually, Philip’s energy and growing expertise brought him to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, where he was recruited to work for their ARC-supported recovery-to-work program, UpSkill. Philip soon represented A-B Tech at an ARC recovery-to-work listening session, was selected for the Appalachian Leadership Institute’s Class of 2020-2021, served as class speaker, and then joined Land of Sky to oversee their ARC INSPIRE project, WNC Recovery to Career: A Collective Impact Ecosystem.
WNC Recovery to Career provides comprehensive support services for employers and individuals in recovery across 11 counties, many of which are considered rural and lack adequate recovery resources. Through the project, 72 workers who are affected by a substance use disorder will retain employment for at least 12 months, ultimately reducing turnover rates across 30 businesses in Appalachian North Carolina.
Helping Community Members Recover
Halston Fisher recalls the first time he heard Philip speak at a treatment facility.
“His aura was of happiness and joy, even [given his] pain. But, he was pushing through it. Mr. Perseverance is what I used to call him – perseverance over everything.”
Philip’s lived recovery experience was shared with such vulnerability, humility, and passion that it was the first time Halston approached a speaker after a meeting. “Not only did I say ‘I liked what you said,’” recalls Halston, “but also ‘I need your number, I know you’re sponsoring, what can I do to [participate]?’”
After some time as Philip’s client and mentee, Halston is now a Certified Peer Support Specialist and continuing the cycle of positive change.
This is just one of the many success stories resulting from Philip’s tireless commitment to helping his Appalachian community recover from substance use disorder. ARC is proud to partner with him and Land of Sky to help Appalachians overcome addition, reenter the workforce, and contribute to the region’s continued growth.
Watch the video above for more from Philip and Halston. ARC thanks them for sharing their personal recovery stories. If you are interested in supporting recovery-to-work efforts in your community, learn more about the $13 million ARC’s INSPIRE Initiative is making available in 2023.
