NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 2, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Lord, Public Health Educator
218-471-7385 or lordm@stlouiscountymn.gov
St. Louis County Public Health Invites Community Members to Share Recovery Stories Through Storytelling Project
St. Louis County Public Health, in partnership with Wilderness Health, Recovery Alliance Duluth and Thrive! Family Recovery Resources is launching a community storytelling initiative designed to celebrate recovery, reduce stigma around substance use disorder and highlight the many faces and experiences of recovery throughout St. Louis County.
Our Recovery, Our Community is a partnership with photographer and founder of A Peace of My Mind, John Noltner. The project invites individuals whose lives have been impacted by recovery to participate in one of three open-house studio days the week of July 12. Participants will have the opportunity to share a brief story on how recovery has impacted them and have their portrait professionally photographed.
The project welcomes individuals in recovery; family members and loved ones; professionals working in prevention, treatment, recovery, or related fields; and anyone whose life has been impacted by recovery.
Studio sessions are open-house style, with no appointment necessary and will take approximately 15 minutes. Every participant will receive a $25 gift card in appreciation for their time; and transportation stipends are available for those who need assistance getting to a studio location.
Studio sessions will be held on three consecutive days in Duluth, Virginia and Ely, including:
Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
AICHO - 202 W. 2nd Street, Duluth
Monday, July 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Align North - 301 Chestnut Street, Virginia
Tuesday, July 14 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Clubhouse - 248 North 3rd Ave. East, Ely
Stories and portraits collected through the project will be featured by St. Louis County Public Health in an upcoming communications exhibit, set to release in early September in honor of National Recovery Month. The hope is to elevate the authentic voices of recovery in the community and encourage conversations that foster compassion, understanding and hope.
The initiative is made possible through collaboration with Recovery Alliance Duluth, Thrive! Family Recovery Resources, Wilderness Health and A Peace of My Mind. Funding for participant thank-you gifts and travel vouchers is made possible by the St. Louis County Family Services Collaborative.
For more information, contact St. Louis County Public Health or visit apeaceofmymind.org to learn more about John Noltner’s work.
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