Times Observer photo by Stacey Gross Art was the theme of this year’s Recovery by the Crick.

This year’s Recovery by the Crick event was successful, said Forest Warren Mental Wellness Association’s Director Adam McNeill. The goal of the event, held by FWMWA, which holds the Systems of Care grant in Warren County, is to connect families with service providers and other community agencies.

More than 150 people showed up at the event, lining up a half hour before the “doors” even opened, said McNeill. Over 100 backpacks were given away to Forest and Warren county children, filled with school supplies. The theme of the event was “Coloring Outside the Lines,” said McNeill, and the goal was to get everyone thinking about how to be creative in managing trauma and stress.

Representatives form multiple local agencies — treatment related and otherwise — were on hand to raise awareness and spread information about their role in keeping the community safe and healthy. Among those present at the event were Forest-Warren Human Services, Beacon Light Outpatient Recovery Center and Mobile Medication staff as well as Beacon’s Student Assistance Program staff, residents of the EOC Fairweather Lodge, who cooked and served food throughout the event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday at Betts Park in Warren.

Also present were representatives from Hospice of Warren County, the Achievement Center, Community Care Behavioral Health, and Northumberland Youth Leadership and Parent to Parent. Music was provided by DJ Rick Griesbaum, Jim Ronan and Northumberland County rapper Travis Wilt.

The goal of connecting families with service providers and community agencies, said McNeill, was “absolutely achieved. By 9:30 a.m..!”