Jason Beckwith wants people to know that recovering drug addicts are not defined by their addiction.

Beckwith, of Butler, has created “Recovery Project.” On Saturday, June 17, Beckwith will lead a group of addicts around Butler to help clean up the city.

“I just want John Q. Public to understand that there are people who do recover,” he said. “It's not all people getting Narcan. People do end up finding a way to live drug-free and contribute back to the society.”

Beckwith said that he expects at least 50 people to participate. The cleanup will begin 9 a.m. at First Church in Butler and will continue until 3 p.m.

Though the project does not have specific venues of clean up lined up yet, Beckwith said the aim is to pick up trash around town, remove drug paraphernalia to make local parks safer for children and help out at a homeless shelter.

The plan also includes sprucing up properties of foreclosed houses.

Beckwith wants to give recovering addicts a chance to give back to the community, but he also hopes that by doing so, they'll prove to people they are not defined by their addictions.

“I'm trying to change some of the (stigma), so I figured this would be a good thing to do,” he said.

The project has received interest from out-of-town volunteers as well as Butler residents. Beckwith is still open to more volunteers.

Recovering addicts who want to participate can just show up at the church.

For more information, call 724-332-3497.