HUNTINGTON — St. Mary’s Department of Spiritual Care and Mission will present Families Motivating Recovery support groups at five locations throughout Huntington beginning in September.

The groups offer a safe place where community members can receive support and learn more effective ways to communicate with their loved ones struggling with substance abuse. The groups are an affiliate of Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center (KPCC) and are free and open to the public.

“These support groups are designed to help foster an atmosphere of conversation instead of confrontation for families affected by addiction through teaching motivational interviewing techniques,” said Rev. Greg Creasy, director of St. Mary’s Department of Spiritual Care and Mission. “Research shows that using these techniques can help lead loved ones into a recovery program.”

The schedule for the weekly groups is:

• Thursdays at 4:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 5

St. Mary’s Conference Center, 2849 Fifth Ave., Huntington; Leaders: Jordan Jobe and Noha Khoury-Bailey, 304-526-1188

• Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 5

PROACT, 800 20th St., Huntington

Leader: Rodney Adkins, 304-696-8715

• Wednesdays at 6 p.m., beginning Sept. 11

Fifth Ave. Baptist Church, 1135 Fifth Ave., Huntington

Leader: Katherine Allgood, 304-525-5441

• Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 18

Madison Avenue Church of God, 1201 Madison Ave., Huntington; Leader: Deb Winters, 304-529-4757

The schedule for the monthly group is:

• Third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 16

Apostolic Life Cathedral, 350 Staunton St., Huntington; Leader: Stephen Kuntzman, 304-525-4204

For more information about any of the groups, contact St. Mary’s Department of Spiritual Care and Mission at 304-526-1188.