UNCP Southeastern Prevention and Addiction Recovery Resource Center-SPARC

04/22/2026

🌻 Pembroke, NC — We’re Coming to YOU! 🌻

Are you ready to step into your purpose and make a real difference in your community? 💙

The North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) Training is coming to UNC Pembroke, and this is your opportunity to turn your lived experience into impact!

✨ FREE 40-Hour Certification Training (while funding lasts!) ✨

🗓 June 1–5, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM daily
📍 UNC Pembroke
1 University Drive, Weinstein 117
Pembroke, NC

💡 This training is for individuals who:
✔ Have lived experience with mental health or substance use
✔ Want to support others on their recovery journey
✔ Are ready to grow professionally and personally
✔ Want to be part of a powerful, purpose-driven workforce

⚠️ Important:
📝 You must complete Certification Track A requirements before attending
🌐 Start today at: pss.unc.edu

⏳ Registration closes May 27 at 5PM

👩🏾‍🏫 Facilitated by: Evette V. Ward Smith

💬 Your story has power. Your experience has purpose.
Now is the time to use it to change lives—including your own.

🔥 Seats are limited, don’t wait! Apply TODAY!

02/09/2026

Great day at UNC Pembroke! On February 5th, the SPARC team hosted a Grant Proposal Writing Workshop led by Dr. Cindy E. Locklear, DSW, LCSW, featuring the Robeson County Opioid Settlement Team's RFP. Attendees had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of grant proposal writing, work through hands-on exercises, and engage in meaningful small group discussions. A huge thank you to Dr. Locklear and Ashley Love for leading such an impactful session, and to everyone who came out to participate. Building capacity in our community starts with equipping people with the tools to bring their ideas to life!

12/25/2025

10/30/2025

The Red Ribbon Luncheon was a wonderful event today!

10/17/2025

The SPARC Team enjoyed Pembroke Day today! We had a wonderful time connecting with students and community members!

10/16/2025

🎉 You're Invited! 🎉
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the Town of Pembroke proudly invite you to the 35th Annual Pembroke Day!
🗓 Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
📍 Location: UNC Pembroke Quad (between Old Main and the Bell Tower)
⏰ Time: 3-7:00pm
🎶 Food • Music • Vendors • Fun for All Ages!
Come out and celebrate community, culture, and connection with us! Enjoy live entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, and a great time with friends and neighbors.
This is a Pembroke tradition you won’t want to miss!

09/25/2025

Dr. Jackie Davis and Mrs. Meg Smith attended the RCORP meeting on 9/24 for Recovery Awareness Month.

09/04/2025

The UNCP SPARC NC Collaboratory team attended the 3rd Annual MOUD Conference today, presenting their community-based participatory research on strategic planning for Opioid Settlement Funding in Robeson County.

From L to R: Ms. Ashely Love, Dr. Summer Woodside, Dr. Jacqueline Davis, Mr. Jordan Dew, and Ms. Meg Smith.

08/20/2025

The SPARC Team, along with multiple partners from Robeson County, had an excellent two days participating in the Rural Action Network Cohort!

07/30/2025

Highlights from our July 2025 RCORP meeting: Dr. Jackie Davis outlined our advisory role in the opioid settlement project, and Meg Smith updated us on community surveys, focus groups, and project timelines. Don't forget to take our community survey - your voice matters in directing $16 million toward opioid recovery efforts!

https://uncp.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_elFhVtc4e7oRsLI

07/25/2025

💜 International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31st 💜

This International Overdose Awareness Day, we invite you to help us honor the lives touched by overdose and share words that inspire hope.

We're collecting stories of remembrance and inspiration. Please take a moment to share:

The name of someone you'd like to honor
Their Birthdate – death date
Words of inspiration or a meaningful quote
A photo (if you'd like)

Every story shared helps us remember that behind every statistic is a beloved person - someone's child, parent, sibling, or friend. Your words can bring comfort to others walking this difficult journey.
Together we remember. Together we heal. Together, we reduce stigma and save lives.

📝 Share your story: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScq4pb9n8ISbPKlxcrUxQXVPVmIlpvuBLL5RDW4yloL7InOdQ/viewform