The Recovery Oriented Campus Center (ROCC) at University of Southern Maine is about establishing Peer Support to build a supportive community for college students who are seeking to find other students that are like-minded. These students are pursuing new friendships, stress management, social engagement, and fun. They are seeking connection with each other without the use of substances.
The ROCC provides a safe place on both the Gorham and Portland campus for peer-to-peer support for everyday challenges, emotional and mental health concerns. The ROCC focuses on multiple paths of recovery and overall Wellness. The ROCC provides students an opportunity to engage with others seeking a substance free lifestyle and the gift to share with each other their lived experiences.
The ROCC embodies the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s definition of recovery; A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
At the ROCC, Students meet each other by attending numerous social events led by peers or they may choose to start their own group to find students with similar interests, issues, and needs. Community Lunches are provided to gather and Lunch and Learns are offered to provide students with the space to connect, discover, and learn.
The students create their own Peer Groups based on students’ preferences, strengths, skills, and interests. These groups have included, Yoga, Meditation, a Mindful Men’s Group, Ferocious Freshman, LGTBQI+ Recovery, A Women of Color Group, A Women’s Group, an All-Recovery Group, Photography Group, Art Group, and Knitting Groups. This year The Women of Color Group is preparing to hold its second annual “Afrochella” event to celebrate Black history, fashion, dance, music, and overall African culture. In 2023, the “Afrochella” event attracted over 200 participants.
ROCC students participate with other programs throughout campus, sponsoring programs with Health and Counseling, Black Student Union, Military Affiliated Student Hub (MASH), Athletics, and Intercultural Student Affairs. The Residential Life Team has been partnering with the ROCC to connect students to the ROCC Guides. ROCC Guides are USM students who have volunteered to participate in student support training(s) to provide an additional anchor to Residential Life to serve students in real time, connecting them to immediate peer support and campus resources. In addition, The ROCC is connected to WMPG Radio and in September, November, and February, The ROCC and WMPG promote National Recovery Day, Gratitude Day, and Love and Recovery on Valentine’s Day in February.
The ROCC has strong community ties to the City of Portland and works with the Department of Public Health to host Overdose Prevention training and Narcan Trainings for staff and students at USM. ROCC students get involved in public service by volunteering to make Narcan kits for the department of Public Health. The ROCC is currently working with Through These Doors, Cumberland Counties domestic violence resource center to provide safe spaces to talk, share stories, and become educated about issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, family crisis, and abuse.
Beyond a safe creative place for USM students to congregate, the students at the ROCC learn leadership skills, program development, management skills, marketing, communication, partnership, and teamwork. All skills that transfer beyond obtaining their degree from USM, supporting them to live self-directed, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.