Guest Blogger: Ray Zott, Coordinator, Parents in Recovery Programs, North Central Vermont Recovery Center (NCVRC)
My name is Ray Zott (she/her), and I’m the new Parents in Recovery Coordinator at North Central Vermont Recovery Center (NCVRC). I bring a background in trauma-informed yoga therapy, nature-based education, and community care. I’m passionate about helping families build tools for emotional connection and nervous system support. I believe all children are our children, and that it’s up to all of us to help them feel safe and nurtured in our communities. Whether through check-ins, movement, art, or simple conversation, I see everyday moments as powerful opportunities for healing. I put together this Feelings Wheel as a tool for families with young children, not just for the big emotional moments, but for the small, everyday ones too. You can use it at home or in the classroom to help children name what they’re feeling, connect those feelings to body sensations, and better understand their needs in the moment. (Hey, you might even gain some tools yourself!) I hope it supports the work you’re already doing to create spaces of safety, awareness, and compassion for young people. Have you heard about NCVRC? We offer peer-to-peer recovery services, including coaching,family-friendly events, support meetings, and more. If you or someone you love is curious about reducing or freeing yourself from substance use in your life, come check out our space, we’d love to meet you!
