Katelyn Root is a third year student and Student Leader with the Center for Community Engagement at Eastern Connecticut State University. She has had an integral role in developing a volunteer program with the Windham Recovery Community Center, a branch of the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). She has developed job readiness trainings, lead group sessions and recruited more than 60 students to volunteer at the community center over the past two years. Katelyn has been a vocal advocate for the recovery community and has created a welcoming and understanding corps of volunteers who support the staff and guests. She has worked effectively to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and to support individuals in recovery. Katelyn incorporates job skills training, resume building, interview preparation and more into workshops that are accessible and tailored to the needs of the guests. She has also created a safe space for guests and student volunteers to share their experiences and to learn from each other. Katelyn received the "Volunteer of the Year" award from CCAR in 2018 and the "Strengthening Communities" award at the Eastern Connecticut State University Service Expo in 2017.