Empowering Clergy to Partner in Substance Use Prevention, Treatment Support, and Recovery

A VIPCare-Facilitated Workshop

VIPCare invites clergy of all traditions to this no-cost, interactive seminar facilitated by VIPCare counselors and substance abuse specialists Chris Bowers, MDiv, and Margie Smith, PhD, DMin, LPC, CSAC.

In this workshop, you will:

Develop an understanding of addiction as a prevalent social issue, including in religious communities
Learn strategies for substance use prevention in your congregation
Learn core competencies for responding to people experiencing addiction or their concerned loved ones
Learn how to support those in recovery in your congregations and communities
Participate in generative discussion with workshop leaders and your colleagues
Learn about available community resources for individuals and families
Receive handouts to take back to your congregation that will resource you and your congregants

Dates and Locations

The workshop is free of charge. Two sessions (covering the same general content) will be offered:

Thursday, May 23
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Good Shepherd Baptist Church
2223 S Crater Road, Petersburg

Thursday, September 26
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Bon Air Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
2071 Buford Road, Richmond

Registration and further information

To register for one of these sessions, please click here.

Questions? Contact development@vipcare.org.

Your facilitators

Chris Bowers, MDiv

Margie Smith, PhD, DMin, LPC, CSAC

Funding for these workshops was made possible in part by a grant from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.