On Thursday, September 12, 2024, a celebration was held for Mississippians overcoming addiction.
Flowood Community Work Center hosted a graduation for residents who completed the 25 week alcohol and drug treatment program.
According to a press release from Mississippi Department of Corrections, the alcohol and drug addiction program works on a peer facilitator model, meaning that those working through the program are mentored by other people who have also worked through it. An alcohol and drug counselor also supervises those undergoing treatment in the program.
The graduation ceremony saw several former FCWC peer facilitators speaking to the graduates about their lives post-graduation, and about their lives on a path of sobriety.
The featured guest speaker at the graduation was Emilee Shell, a formerly incarcerated person at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility as well as the Flowood Community Work Center. Shell currently serves as a director at Grace House in Jackson. In addition, she is a founder and executive director of the non-profit Exchanging Pathways, a program that provides re-entry consulting and advocacy training. Shell also works as a National Field Organizer for the Mississippi Poor Peoples Campaign.