Last month, McNabb Center’s own Jennifer Muise-Hill, Senior Director of Residential Substance Treatment, took the stage at the Recovery Month Awards Dinner, hosted by the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, and Other Addiction Services (TAADAS).

As both President of the TAADAS Executive Committee and a long-time advocate for recovery, Jennifer welcomed guests with warmth, gratitude, and a powerful message about what it truly means to heal.

A Celebration of Connection and Hope

“Good evening, everyone,” she began, smiling at the full room. “Tonight, we gather not only to share a meal, but to come together as a united community—to celebrate stories of remarkable resilience and transformation.”

Jennifer reminded everyone that Recovery Month—celebrated nationally since 1989—is about far more than awareness. This year’s theme, “Recovery is REAL: Restoring Every Aspect of Life,” highlights the truth that recovery touches every part of a person’s being—mind, body, and spirit.

“Recovery is about restoring wellness and helping people build lives that are meaningful—filled with connection and purpose,” she shared. “At its core, recovery is about hope, healing, and community. Healing happens together, never in isolation.”

Progress Worth Celebrating

Jennifer also pointed to the real progress being made across Tennessee.
Every day, in treatment centers, recovery residences, and peer support groups, individuals are rebuilding their lives—and their families are being reunited.

“Here in Tennessee, we know recovery is real,” she said. “We see it every day. And this past year, we’ve seen encouraging signs of hope—like a decrease in opioid-related deaths. That decline reflects the incredible work being done by prevention efforts, treatment providers, recovery support teams, and advocates like you.”

Her words were a celebration of the collective strength of the recovery community—proof that lives can and do change.

Recommitting to the Work Ahead

As the evening came to a close, Jennifer invited everyone to pause and reflect—not just on how far we’ve come, but how much more there is to do.

“Each not-so-great statistic isn’t just a number—it’s a person, a family, a community,” she said softly. “Tonight is about celebrating, but it’s also about recommitting ourselves to building communities where recovery is not the exception, but the expectation.”

She ended her speech with a challenge—and a message of hope, quoting Harriet Beecher Stowe:

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”

Jennifer’s words reminded everyone in the room of what recovery truly means: that healing is possible, change is real, and together, we can help the tide turn for countless lives across Tennessee.