Editor's Note:
Looking back on 2020, and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, I think I can safely say that we have all become exhausted by the limits and struggles placed on our daily lives: travel and visiting loved ones has been severely restricted; celebrating holidays and milestones with friends and families is frowned upon; school-age children are struggling everyday with almost insurmountable changes . . . and if we are lucky enough to be employed, as an "essential or non-essential worker", "workplace vigilance" has taken on a new meaning. So let's put the last year behind us and focus on new beginnings - it's a new year and Road2Recovery continues to be committed to "saving lives, one at a time by coming together, staying together and working together!
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GETTING INVOLVED DURING A PANDEMIC |
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Do you miss checking in with each other at our R2RCNY Advocate Meetings? Are you feeling some disconnection from R2RCNY because of the pandemic? Me, too! With Darlene's and Colleen's encouragement, I've started "MINI-PROJECTS" to keep us working together for R2RCNY. I invite all advocates, alums, and other potential volunteers to take on a small, easy-in, easy-out job. The tasks range from sending cards to alums, forming discussion clubs, running Zoom meetings with each other, to creating your own individual fundraising efforts. My hope is that many of you will reply with a YES to participating. Interested? Please email me at barbara.c.brace@gmail.com or text/call me at 315-345-4937. Thank you!
Barbara Brace
R2RCNY Advocate
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NEWS AND UPDATES
December Appeal Letter:
We are grateful to report that our December appeal for donations was very successful! Despite all the economic effects of the COVID Pandemic, we were able to raise the same amount as last year. These funds will be put to use right away to help place more candidates into long-term recovery.
Continued Support From DeWitt Community Church:
This is the first year in a three-year commitment from the DeWitt Community Church Mission of the Month Program. Advocates attended the worship service to speak about the mission of Road2RecoveryCNY in November. The church makes two donations a year to us. One is based on a percentage of their mission budget, and the other is a special collection during the month that we are featured. So far we have received over $2,000 in donations!
New Recovery Resources:
In an effort to improve and expand the long-term support of our alumni, we have identified an organization in both Atlanta and Austin that will provide, free of charge, a peer recovery coach to work with alumni as they complete treatment and enter sober living. This is a critical stage in recovery when many people relapse because they have to start applying what they have learned and do not have the same structure and support as they did during their rehab. This service is intended to help them deal with challenges, such as finding health insurance, opening a bank account, locating an AA Group or Sponsor, and learning to lead a sober lifestyle while still having fun.
Snow Foundation and Memorial Trust Grant Application:
On February 2, 2021, R2RCNY took the first step toward applying for a grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation and Memorial Trust, by submitting a Letter of Intent required for initiating the application. R2RCNY is seeking funding to underwrite its Family Recovery Program (FRP). We believe that the Program serves an educational function designed to enhance the well-being of our community, which is one of the mission priorities of the Snow Foundation. The funding is divided into three areas: 1. to underwrite our Program as it is presently configured; 2. to enable us to enhance this Program by expanding its technology and enriching its educational protocol with literature and materials we hope to afford; and 3. to expand the power of its out-reach with the assistance of a marketing firm.
Of these concerns, the third is perhaps the most significant, and at this point R2RCNY has received the support and planning expertise of the marketing firm, Solon Quinn, who have agreed to design and implement a "Brand Campaign" for R2RCNY. It is our hope and expectation that by means of this Campaign we will be able to establish the sort of imprint within the Central New York community that will enable us to far better serve our own mission, and to reach out to the many persons within our community who are in need of our support as they struggle to cope with having a loved one victimized by opioid addiction and to reach out in a manner that will actually draw them in to the benefits of our Family Recovery Program.
We will keep you updated on this exciting opportunity as the application process moves forward!
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SAVE THE DATE - FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
On May 15th Road2Recovery will host it's first fundraiser of 2021, "Setting the Stage at the Drive In." This event will feature The Cadleys, an acoustic/electric 4-person band who will perform prior to the feature movie (yet to be decided). The event will be held at the NYS Fairgrounds Midway. As an added enticement, food trucks will be on-hand offering refreshments. Be sure to add this family friendly event to your calendars. Watch for more details in the next few weeks!
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MEET OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER
We welcome Borzou Razmjou, Sales Manager at Romano Subaru, to our Board of Directors. Borzou is interested in giving back to his community, and was instrumental in the large donation we received during the Subaru "Share the Love" campaign last year. We look forward to working with him!
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INTRODUCING R2R'S NEW NAVIGATOR
Kathy Vandermark has graciously agreed to serve as our newest Navigator. As we all know, this is a huge commitment of time and energy, and although she was excited, but understandably anxious in her new role, she is grateful for all the help and support she has received from the R2R team, and is finding the experience very rewarding. Kathy is also the Oswego County Action Group Leader.
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Fundraiser Reminders
Amazon Smile: Join SmileAmazon, choose R2RCNY as your charity of choice, and 5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to R2RCNY.
Bottle & Can Donations:
Donations are now being accepted in Oswego, NY at two locations: Great Lakes Recycling Center, 181 Gardenier Road; and Great Lakes Redemption Center, 159 East Bridge Street.
Donations continue to be accepted at F-M Returnables, 202 West Seneca Street, Manlius, NY or Central City Bottle Redemption, 224 Chapel Drive, Syracuse, NY
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