addiction treatment & recovery services women and …mackenzie phillips on march 21 and 22, in...

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GazetteGAUDENZIAJULY 2016 VOLUME 29, ISSUE 2

Over the past decade, we grimly reaped what had been sown — thousands of drug overdosedeaths.... We must work to ensure overdose survivors are taken directly to licensed drug andalcohol treatment to immediately begin the recovery process. G A RY T E N N I S

I want people to understandaddiction, and I do that by tellingmy own story. I want to show peoplewho are suffering that they don’thave to suffer anymore.M AC K E N Z I E P H I L L I P S

On March 21 and 22, in Harrisburg, 370 professionals attended

Gaudenzia’s 23rd annual Women and Children’s Conference. Attendees

learned how to promote healthier outcomes for pregnant women and families

in high risk situations.

The conference featured an array of professional workshops and expert

keynote speakers, including Gary Tennis, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department

of Drug and Alcohol Programs; Joel Nunez, Ph.D. educational and corporate

consultant; Dawn Crosson, Psy.D., Petra Psychological Services; and

Dr. Ken Dickinson, Gaudenzia’s Director of Marketing.

The featured keynote speaker was actress and singer Mackenzie Phillips

who spoke about her personal journey from decades of addiction to sobriety

and recovery. Now, she is a full time drug counselor. Session topics focused on

high risk pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, Fetal Alcohol Symptom

Disorder (FASD), trauma, domestic violence, and related issues.

A D D I C T I O N T R E A T M E N T & R E C O V E R Y S E R V I C E S

Women and Children’s ConferenceBuilding A Brighter Tomorrow

Funding Award PresentationOn April 19, the Erie County GamingRevenue Authority (ECGRA) and theErie Community Foundation presented$19,000, their largest in this round of grants, to Gaudenzia Erie's House of Healing.

Perry Wood, Executive Director, ECGRA; Susan Rea, Director of Finance and Operations,Gaudenzia Erie; Michael L. Batchelor, President, Erie Community Foundation.

David E. Steffen, Chief of Police, Northern LancasterCounty Regional Police Department; Gary Tennis,Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Drug andAlcohol Programs; Mary Bair, Director of GaudenziaWomen and Children's Services; Mike Harle,President and CEO; Kenneth J. Martz, Psy.D.CAS,Special Assistant to Secretary Tennis.

Dawn Crosson, Psy.D., Petra PsychologicalServices, LLC; Dawn Johnson, Administrative

Coordinator; Erin Pressel, Referral DevelopmentManager; Jackie Felker, Executive Assistant;

Mackenzie Phillips; Mary Bair.


From left to right: Michael Pickering, RAP, Inc. ExecutiveDirector with RAP, Inc. Board Members Carolyn Johnson,John Mercer, Roscoe Dellums, Charles Austin, CharlesStephenson, Hollis “Candy” Latson.

Judge Ronald Silkworth, Anne Arundel CountyCircuit Court; Chris Trumbauer, Councilman;Steve McAdams, Director of MarylandGovernor's Office of Community Initiatives; Mike Harle; Edward Reilly, State Senator; Steve Schuh, County Executive; Tony McConkey,State Delegate; Dr. Barbara Bazron, ExecutiveDirector, Behavioral Health Administration;Robert Pascal, former County Executive andFounder, Robert A. Pascal Youth and FamilyServices, Inc.

The Ronald C. Clark Center

In April, Kathleen Sullivan, ComcastCorporation Vice President ofGovernment and Regulatory Affairs and Kathy Farinaccio, Area Manager of Government Affairs met with staff and residents at Gaudenzia's Safe Haven.The facility serves as an emergencyshelter for single parenting familiesduring the winter months.

On March 18 in Philadelphia, Mayor James Kenney visited residentChaurice McHerrin’s home at TiogaArms Apartments to learn about neededhousing for individuals in recovery, as well as Gaudenzia’s plans to build a new facility next door.

Regional Addiction Program (RAP)

On April 20th, Gaudenzia joined with RAP, Inc. to celebrate the opening of The Ronald C. ClarkCenter, a new residential treatment facility inWashington D.C. Founded in 1970, RAP, Inc.became known nationally for its unique andgroundbreaking approaches to treatment.

On May 17, over 120 Anne Arundel County community members, politicalleaders, law enforcement and treatmentproviders helped Gaudenzia celebrate the opening of a new residential treatmentfacility in Crownsville, MD. This 90-bed facility will more than double the number of available treatment beds in the county.Gaudenzia will also partner with the Robert A. Pascal Youth and FamilyServices, Inc. in an innovative program that will provide an alternative to theemergency room for individuals experiencing a crisis due to substance use ormental health issues. Renovations were supported by a $190,000 grant fromthe Office of County Executive Steve Schuh.

Site Visits OPEN HOUSES

Mayor Kenney, Mike Harle with residentChaurice McHerrin.

Toni Montier, Eastern Region Director of Housing;Kathleen Sullivan; Stu Auspitz, Job Developer andEducation Specialist; Kathy Farinaccio observeGaudenzia residents and staff at a computer bank at Safe Haven.

Mr. Clark was a co-founder and served as the Executive Director for overfour decades until his recent retirement. Gaudenzia is proud to welcomeRAP, Inc. into the family and is excited to embark on a partnership that willserve the Washington metropolitan area for years to come.

Crownsville

Gaudenzia Crownsville


Opening ceremony, prior to the ride.

On June 14 – 15 in Erie, a unique fundraiser was held, benefitting treatment for individuals who cannot afford to pay the cost of treatment on their own. Rappellers raised $1,000 each to participate in Gaudenzia Erie’sOver The Edge event, for the experience of descending down the side of the Renaissance Centre, the city’s tallest building. The event generated unprecedented positive media coverage throughout the day.

Ride For RecoveryOn June 18, Gaudenziaparticipated in the YorkRecovery Committee inauguralRide For Recovery event. Fundsraised by Gaudenzia, TheColonial House, Safe Haven andthe community will purchaseclothing vouchers, phone cardsand bus passes. Ride organizersnoted the importance of buspasses for individuals newly inrecovery who have no othermeans of reliable transportationto get to work, access medicalappointments and attendAlcoholics Anonymous orNarcotics Anonymous meetings.

Run For Your LifeOn April 23, staff from Gaudenzia’s New Options program coordinated effortswith Black Girl Health to encourageexercise for African American women whoare in recovery. The activity was held atReservoir Park in Harrisburg.


ERIEOn May 14

at the Bayfront Convention Center, Gaudenzia Erie graduated 18 individuals.

Jason Snyder, Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Departmentof Drug and Alcohol Programs

was the keynote speaker. An Honorary Graduate medallion was presented to Loretta Meucci,

retired Housekeeper at Community House.

PHILADELPHIAOn June 11

at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Gaudenzia’s Eastern Region graduated 77 individuals.

James Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia was the keynote speaker.

Honorary Graduate medallions were presented to

Warren Roy and Michelle Woltz. The Joe Lewis Award

was presented to Jerome Marrow.

HARRISBURGOn June 18

at the Best Western Premier Hotel, Gaudenzia’s Central Region graduated 39 individuals.

Mavis Nimoh, Secretary, Board of Pardons for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

was the keynote speaker. Honorary Graduate medallions were presented to Bonnie Maley, Gail Nevel Hamilton, CRNP and Dr. Stefan Kruszewski.

The Donald Garnett Humanitarian Award was presented to Larry Washington.

Erie Graduates

Warren Roy

Mayor James Kenney

Michelle Wolz

Graduation is an

important moment of recognition and

accomplishment. Gaudenzia’s

Graduation process is completely

voluntary. In grand total this year,

251 individuals walked proudly across

the stage at ceremonies held in

Baltimore, Erie, Philadelphia and

Harrisburg. Honorary Graduate

medallions are presented to a person

who did not attend a Gaudenzia program,

but provides exemplary support of the

agency and individuals who are in

long-term recovery.


Mavis Nimoh

Bonnie MaleyGail Nevel Hamilton

Richard Z. Freemann, Jr., Esq., Chair, Gaudenzia, Inc.

Central Region Graduates.

Fresh Start of Delaware graduates with staff member Ronda Jones.

Honorary Graduate, recently retired Loretta Meucci,fondly known as "Ms. Loretta" is escorted by Juanita Allen, House Manager at Community House in Erie.

Mark Sarneso, Director of Central andWestern Region, with Larry Washington.

Jerome Marrow with Mike Harle


I did not join the Journey of Recovery willingly;I entered it kicking and screaming.It began on April 19, 1996. It was explained to me that if I did not take the opportunity to get help that I may never get another chance, because state funding for substance abusetreatment was limited. So, after spending time in the emergency room and a fourteen-day detox, I was off to Gaudenzia’s Concept 90 (C-90).I knew I needed help, but still felt as though I had been abducted and had landed in an

alternate universe. I was homeless; physically, mentally and spiritually broken, terrified andangry. I was distrustful of everything and everyone. I felt I had been abandoned by God, hated the human race and being a member of it.C-90 staff took me in and began to spoon feed my recovery. They nursed me back to health,

taught me how to love myself and restored my faith in GOD and the human race. I am so grateful that these people never gaveup on me at a time when I was so quick to give up on myself. I learned invaluable tools and skills, immersed myself intorecovery and began sorting out various legal issues.

I graduated from the program, applied for a position with Gaudenzia and returned to C-90 a year later as an employee. Mypeers embraced me, encouraged me to further my education and saw me through personal tragedy—the loss of my daughter. I returned to school, got my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, began the Addictions Counselor certification process and

began to rebuild relationships with my son and mother. In 2001 I moved to West Virginia to be with my family and beganworking as a substance abuse therapist in a maximum security juvenile facility.In 2009 I returned to school to get my masters in Counseling. I then left the corrections field and found employment as an

addictions counselor. Today, I love my life and feel extremely blessed to be able to give back both professionally and personallyin an area so close to my heart, addictions.

Never in a million years did I ever imagine, back in 1996, that I would or could reinvent myself at the age of 38. Through the grace of God, the help of C-90, the support of my recovery network and the love of my family, I did just that. So, for anyone out there terrified of this journey called Recovery, please don’t give up before the miracle happens, because

miracles do happen!

GRADUATE Martina R. Spotlight

Community Service Awards BreakfastOn June 3 in Philadelphia, Unsung Hero Awards in recognition of their work were presented to Dr. Julia Monaco, Phd, MSPH, MS, Eastern RegionIntake/Fiscal Compliance Director and Al Meyer,Referral Development Manager. Annually, this awardsevent is convened by the Caron Foundation.


In April, Girl Scout troop members visitedGaudenzia’s Vantage residential programin Lancaster for women with children.

In May, under warm, sunny skies, residents at Gaudenzia’s Chambers Hill Adolescentprogram (CHAP) started an organic vegetablegarden with the help of volunteers Corey Steinand Bob and Cindy Heath. For most, this wasthe residents’ first experience with gardening.They enjoyed learning about the plants,fertilizing, weeding and caring that is needed.

After preparing the soil, peppers, potatoesand various seeds were planted. The gardenwill be tended to over the summer and ourresidents will harvest their home-grownproduce at mealtimes. CHAP provides drug andalcohol-free residential treatment for chemicallydependent males, ages 13 – 18 in a therapeuticcommunity environment.

On March 27 in Philadelphia, volunteersfrom Glenside Rotary performedlandscape work and helped complete the installation of a new playground atGaudenzia’s New Image program.

On June 5, families from Gaudenzia’sHarry and Jeannette Weinberg FamilyCenter in Baltimore attended a baseballgame as part of the OriolesREACHGameday Experience program. TheBaltimore Orioles provided the mothersand children with free tickets, t-shirts,hats, hot dogs, chips, sodas, andtransportation to the game!

In April, an Easter Egg Hunt was held at Pottsville OutpatientProgram for clients and their young children.

The Gaudenzia Gazette is published by the Community Affairs Department of Gaudenzia, Inc.

Michael B. Harle, M.H.S.President and CEO

Richard Z. Freemann, Jr., Esq.Chair, Gaudenzia Inc.

Maureen Q. DwyerChair, Gaudenzia Foundation

Gadi AronsonDirector of Development

Dan GugliuzzaJane HoretskyJim IngolioMegan JonesCarole LeeLynanne SchaefferAshley SealContributors

Please forward address changes to:Gaudenzia Gazette 106 W. Main Street, Norristown, PA [email protected]

Production costs of this issue have been paid by the employees of Gaudenzia through the 2016 Staff Appeal.

GAUDENZIA, Inc.Corporate Offices106 W. Main StreetNorristown, PA 19401

www.gaudenzia.org

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David Sanner, Director, Erie County Office of Drugs and Alcohol; Kristina Stainbrook; Gary Tennis, PA Secretary of Drug andAlcohol Programs.

On March 11, employees at Gaudenzia Erie Outpatient helped rescue two peoplefrom the community who overdosed in closeproximity to our facility located at West 11thStreet. The police arrived quickly, but did

not have the heroin antidote Nalaxone (also known as Narcan) with them. Gaudenzia’sfacility did have Narcan kits and our staff responded immediately. Upon revival, theindividuals were transported to the hospital, where a “warm handoff” was offered by Gaudenzia to enter treatment. Soon after, the Erie County Overdose CommunityAwareness Task Force recognized Kristina Stainbrook, Clinical Supervisor at Erie Outpatient, for her leadership role helping to save lives.

NARCAN UseRecognition

addiction treatment & recovery services women and …mackenzie phillips on march 21 and 22, in...

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