Interview Summary: Peace & Possibility In The Park

Learning Quotes from This Event

The learnings in this summary come from conversations held during Peace & Possibility in the Park, a community listening event hosted by the Milwaukee County Overdose Prevention Team under the leadership of Ricky Person.

Across one afternoon, eleven Milwaukee residents opened up about their lived experiences—some in early recovery, some impacted by family members’ substance use, and others serving as community mentors and advocates. Each story offered a window into the strength, grief, faith, and perseverance that shape recovery in real life. Together, they reveal what it truly takes to build a city where healing is possible.

Recovery Takes Time, Structure, and Support

Participants reminded us that recovery is not instant—it’s daily work rooted in consistency and connection. Tyrone, Brother Sam, and David spoke about finding peace through meetings, structure, and faith. They emphasized that long-term support, housing, and accountability matter as much as treatment itself.

“If people are given time and opportunity, they do recover.”

Family Is Both Motivation and Healing

For many, recovery begins with family. Curtis reflected on watching his mother’s recovery and said, “I feel like I got my mama back.” Others, like Princess, showed what it means to be that support for someone else—feeding her mother-in-law every Sunday so she “won’t do no drugs on a full stomach.” Across generations, families carried both pain and power, proving that love and presence can be the strongest recovery tools.

The Mind Comes First

Mental and emotional health were central to every journey. David’s recovery began after the loss of his son; Bryan spoke about how grief and trauma shaped his choices; and Shawn described how faith and self-awareness helped him shift away from alcohol. Their stories show that without mental health support, recovery has no foundation.

Peer Connection Saves Lives

The power of community came through in every interview. Tyrone said he would “walk in with you” to get someone help. Robert, who leads Project HEAT, described how supporting others also sustains his own recovery. People heal in relationship—with mentors, peers, and those who understand the road firsthand.

Stigma Still Hurts, but Awareness Heals

Many participants described the damage of being judged or misunderstood. Bryan shared, “People judge what they don’t understand.” Several called for more community education about recovery, trauma, and life-saving tools like Narcan and fentanyl test strips. As Robert said, recovery depends on both “education and opportunity.”

Faith, Hope, and Purpose Keep People Going

Faith appeared in nearly every story—not always as religion, but as belief in possibility. Brother Sam said, “Take it one day at a time, and don’t give up.” Shawn reflected, “When God got a calling for something else, it’s different.” That faith in self and in something greater is what helps people keep moving forward, even when the journey feels slow.

Insight for Systems Change

The lessons from Peace & Possibility in the Park highlight that overdose prevention is more than a public health strategy—it’s about creating belonging, dignity, and hope. People recover when systems listen, when resources meet them where they are, and when community voice guides the work.

By grounding its approach in community insight, Milwaukee County continues to model what’s possible when we center people, not just the problem—turning individual recovery into a collective act of healing.