By Andrew Hylton
On Thursday, Sept. 28, San Bernardino Valley College held its second annual Sound of Recovery event, which celebrates the impact that music can have on one’s recovery, especially when it comes to substance abuse. The night was filled with entertainment and inspiration alike as Valley students and community members enjoyed music, dance, poetry and overall a great experience that brought individuals together for a cause that affects many people in our community.
The night was bright, shiny and full of energy as the audience sat in the Valley College auditorium to hear original material performed by local artists and students inspired by their own personal struggles or by loved ones who have dealt with addiction. The event was very moving and at the same time entertaining with performances of various genres that ranged from gospel, R&B, hip hop, indie, folk and more.
There was also a poetry reading by poet Tawon Green, whose vulnerability was on full display as he discussed generational trauma as it relates to substance abuse. I was personally moved by the pieces I heard that night because I’ve seen and witnessed through family and friends what drugs can do to someone.
Along with performances, there were also several speakers with one being Dr. Georgina Yoshioka, who is the Director of Behavioral Health in San Bernardino County. She spoke about how important it is for our community to come together in efforts to spread awareness for addiction, especially fentanyl, which has done a lot of damage to the Inland Empire.
Music is something that is universal. Everyone has the ability to understand it and find comfort in the art form, it’s essentially a form of therapy that saves lives.
When all hope is gone, music is here to stay.
These people are proof that you make it through anything. Resilience is power and music is the savior.
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