Individuals in substance abuse or mental health recovery gathered to celebrate their sobriety on Friday at the St. Paul Catholic Church, with free food, clothing, and vendors from local addiction recovery clinics. 

Organizers hope events like this will help break the stigma of those going through recovery.

"You know, we see the good and the bad, and it's great to see all the good coming together," said Jay Burrows, an event organizer.

"I'm hoping that something like this, events like this can help break the stigma and break the stereotype of people in recovery. It is a disease. It is a disease that is able to be put at bay and people can be helped and they can overcome all this stuff. It's not all bad. A lot of people do stereotype people who are struggling with addiction."