Cooking for Recovery

In Memory of Spencer Streetman

Chef, Friend, Brother, Son

Spencer's passion for cooking inspired the Cooking for Recovery program at BMC

Chef Spencer in front of a range with two pans and a large flame.

About:

Nutrition can play a key role in the treatment and recovery process for individuals with substance use disorder. Both drugs and alcohol impact how the body metabolizes food, and an individual's ability to absorb nutrients. Malnutrition, common in individuals with SUD, can increase drug-seeking behavior. Weight gain and sugar cravings are very common during recovery, as are eating disorders and substance substitution (sugar, caffeine, nicotine). Cooking for Recovery aims to enhance participants' self-care tool box through nutrition education, addressing body-image concerns, and teaching life-skills such as meal planning and preparing balanced meals and snacks on a budget.

Cooking For Recovery has been written about in HealthCity and at Boston.com.

"It was so wonderful for us to be able to join you today and to see first-hand what you do everyday to truly help so many. It is hard to express our gratitude for making our dream of finding a way to honor Spencer a reality. I know that he would have loved to see the camaraderie and enthusiasm in today's class. You both have offered a space for acceptance and recognition, relaxation and fun, as well as lots of learning."

- Kim, Richard, Annie, and Mark

Partners:

The Spencer Streetman Memorial Fund - a very special thank-you to the Streetman family for their generous support of the Cooking for Recovery program.

EMO Health

Grayken Center for Addiction

Back On My Feet

Schedule:

Once a month on Wednesdays, we have class from 10:30-12:30 for START clinic patients.

Bi-monthly on Tuesday evenings from 5-6:15 we have a class for CATALYST clinic patients.

We are piloting an English and Spanish language series with our partners, Back on My Feet, beginning in October 24.

We have run groups at:

Hope House
Stepping Stones
Monarch House (SEMCOA)
Harmony House (SEMCOA)
Glenice Sheehan Women’s Recovery Home (Lowell House)
Men’s Recovery Home (Lowell House)
Wyman Recovery Home (BPHC)
Transitions (BPHC)

Collaborate:

Interested in a Cooking for Recovery group class at your residential facility, in our Teaching Kitchen, or through zoom? We would love to hear from you. Please contact us at gabrielle.simons@bmc.org.

Give:

If you would like to donate to the Cooking for Recovery program in honor of Spencer Streetman:

Visit the Make A Donation web page
Under "Gift Designation" select "Other"
Under "Other Designation" write "Preventive Food Pantry in honor of Spencer Streetman"

A community cooking space for people with substance use disorder.

About:

Partners:

Schedule:

Collaborate:

Give:

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