Gaudenzia Gazette

Gazette
DECEMBER 2015
VOLUME 28, ISSUE 4
GAUDENZIA
A D D I C T I O N T R E AT M E N T & R E COV E R Y S E R V I C E S
In Support of Treatment and Recovery:
Press Conferences Held at Gaudenzia
On August 31, as part of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Pennsylvania Departments
of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Health held the second annual Building Bridges to
Recovery initiative at Gaudenzia’s Concept 90 program in Harrisburg. Gary Tennis, DDAP Secretary,
Dr. Karen Murphy, Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, Physician General, treatment professionals
Gary Tennis
and individuals in recovery discussed the drug overdose crisis, emphasizing the heroin epidemic that
continues to rage across the country. They urged people with substance use disorder to seek treatment
and focus on recovery. “Far too many Pennsylvanians are dying every day of a disease that is fully
treatable. Individuals can and do recover. There
are millions of Americans who have successfully
found their pathway to live in recovery,”
noted Secretary Tennis.
Dr. Karen Murphy
A mural painted by recovering individuals in
Gaudenzia’s care set the backdrop for the gathering,
helping to break down the stigma that too often
isolates those who live silently with a drug and
alcohol problem. Following the activity, the mural
was moved to the Pennsylvania State Legislature for
public display as part of National Recovery Month
Dr. Rachel Levine
held throughout September. Building Bridges to Recovery is a partnership
between the Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse,
the Pennsylvania Parent Panel Advisory Council, and DDAP.
On October 5, a press conference was held at Gaudenzia’s
corporate office in Norristown, PA with U.S. Senator Bob Casey
and Dr. Val Arkoosh, Vice Chair, Montgomery County Board of
Commissioners. The elected officials promoted passage of legislation
introduced in the United States Senate aimed at increasing funding
for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
throughout the country. One of the features of Senate Bill 1410
is the authorization of annual funding increases to keep up with
inflation, thereby stabilizing states’ purchasing power regarding
the critical issue of opiate addiction.
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
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Dr. Val Arkoosh, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners;
Michael B., Gaudenzia Graduate speaker; Bob Casey, U.S.
Senator; Michael B. Harle, Gaudenzia President and CEO
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Medication
Assisted Treatment
In response to the most serious opioid/
heroin epidemic that we have seen in
decades, Gaudenzia has trained all staff
in the use of Narcan. Also, Gaudenzia
is being requested to care for individuals
whose recovery from addiction includes
the use of medication assisted treatment.
In response, Gaudenzia has convened
an internal Medication Assisted
Treatment committee composed of a
multi-disciplinary team, developing
guidelines for appropriate care and
recommending agency policy. Gaudenzia
recognizes that medications in conjunction
with other evidence based practices
including psychosocial, Therapeutic
Community and 12-step activities may be
critical to successful recovery efforts.
Presently Gaudenzia is involved in many
pilot programs including Naltrexone
(Vivitrol and Revia) and has plans to
expand its use.
Dr. Gayle Jordan-Randolph
Chesapeake Region
Graduation
Judge Wanda Keyes Heard
On October 3, at Morgan State
University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center
in Baltimore, 117 individuals were
graduated in front of family members
and friends, Gaudenzia alumni and staff.
Keynote addresses were delivered by
Dr. Gayle Jordan-Randolph, Deputy
Secretary for Behavioral Health for the
Maryland Department of Health and
Hygiene, and Judge Wanda Keyes Heard
from the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Site Visits
On June 30, Gary Hess, Commissioner,
Schuylkill County, visited Gaudenzia’s Fountain
Springs and New Destiny.
On August 7, Lou Schiliro,
Delaware Secretary of Safety and Homeland
Security visited Gaudenzia’s Fresh Start
program in Wilmington for recovering
heroin addicts between the ages of 18 – 25.
Accompanying him were John Yeomans,
Director, Division of Alcohol and Tobacco
Enforcement, Lisa Shaw, Deputy Director,
Office of Highway Safety Division,
Mark Grubb, Director, Division of
Communications and Thomas Kadunce,
Communications Systems Manager,
Division of Communications.
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
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On September 15,
Kim Williams,
Delaware State
Representative,
visited Fresh Start
in Wilmington.
AWARDS
On October 22, Sue Ross,
Executive Assistant at Gaudenzia
Erie, received the 2015 Office
of Vocational Rehabilitation
(OVR) award on behalf
of Gaudenzia Erie from the
Pennsylvania Department of
Labor and Industry. The award
is in recognition of outstanding
commitment to individuals
with disabilities and above-andbeyond efforts on behalf of all
OVR customers.
On October 15, 2015
People With Hope's
(PWH) Intake Aftercare
Specialist James Seldon
was presented with the
Philadelphia John Bell
Award.
John Bell 1946-2012 was an HIV activist, mentor to a generation
of ex-offenders, teacher, and our friend. In the years we were
privileged to know him, we watched in awe as John took his
lived experiences of racism, stigma, war, and disease and
transformed them into an inspirational body of thought and
knowledge to help make the way easier for the people who
came behind him.
Site Visits
On October 6, the Vocational Services staff in Gaudenzia’s Chesapeake Region
held a luncheon at our Woodland Avenue facility in Baltimore to discuss
strategies for overcoming the barriers clients face in finding
employment following treatment.
Luncheon guests included Ron Allen, Business Liaison,
Maryland Department of Human Services; Lisa Benson,
Staffing Director, Mary Kraft and Associates; Wanda Binns,
Employee Assistance Program Manager, University of Maryland
Medical Center; Brandon S. Butler, Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation; Susan Carr, Supervisor, Small Procurement
Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources;
Scott Gottbreht, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships,
United Way of Central Maryland; Kate Meaney, Marketing
and Human Resources, Mary Kraft and Associates; Melanie
Styles, Program Officer, Workforce Development, Abell
Foundation; John Vontran, Apprenticeship Navigator,
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation;
Albert Zachik, M.D,. Acting Executive Director, Behavioral
Health Administration; Karrianne Zito-Sease, Staffing
Manger, Mary Kraft and Associates.
Mary Bair, Division Director; Mark Sarneso, Director
of Central and Western Region; Dr. Rachel Levine,
PA Physician-General; Paula Ruane, Central Region
Director; Mike Harle and Jon Gamble, Program Supervisor
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
On November 5,
Dr. Rachel Levine,
Pennsylvania Physician
General, visited Chambers
Hill Adolescent Program
and Concept 90,
in Harrisburg
DECEMBER 2015
On November 3, Erie Star 104 FM morning
radio show hosts Murphy and Currie brought
breakfast to online winner —
Gaudenzia Erie administration.
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Graduate speaker Coretta H. shares her story
with 300 attendees
Mike Harle, Tom Spann, and Dan Hilferty pose with the award
On October 1, the Gaudenzia/Gustave G. Amsterdam
Community Champion Award Dinner was held at the
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia. This year’s
Honoree was Tom Spann, CEO, Accolade. 300 people
attended, raising $120,000 net after expenses for
treatment at Gaudenzia. Honorary Co-Chairs were
Craig L. Adams, President and CEO, PECO; and
Gerard H. Sweeney, President and CEO, Brandywine
Realty Trust. Event Committee Co-Chairs were
David Connolly and Mike Rody. Mistress of
Ceremonies was Pat Ciarrocchi, News Anchor at
CBS 3 in Philadelphia. Silent Auction Host was
John DeBella, radio personality at WMGK 102.9
in Philadelphia.
PECO attendees Edward McBride, Romona Riscoe-Benson,
April and Craig Adams
Blue Crew volunteers from Independence Blue Cross
assisted throughout the evening
Tobe Amsterdam, Board Member;
Lori Lasher; Maureen Brennan-Miller, Board Member
and Bette Lesher
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GAUDENZIA
Gala
Volunteer Jim Ross and Board member
Sheila Ross pose for a photo in the
Gondola from Venice
A NIGHT IN VENICE
On November 21, the Gaudenzia Gala was held at
West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, PA. 160 people
attended, raising $72,000 net after expenses. This year’s
Honoree was Michael Fiaschetti, Founder, Vibra Health
Plan. The event committee Chair was Dr. Ira Packman.
Mistress of Ceremonies was Alicia Richards, News Anchor
at abc27 in Harrisburg.
Michael Fiaschetti accepts the
Community Champion Award
Michael Young, President and CEO,
of PinnacleHealth System,
a lead sponsor at this year’s event
Ron Savidge,
Jill Walmer and
Kim Savidge
Gil Burns and Barb Flewellen
with Jen and Chris Zampogna
On August 4, a check presentation of $10,000
was made to Gaudenzia Fountain Springs by the
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeastern
® Pennsylvania, Inc. at the McDonald’s restaurant in
Frackville, Schuylkill County. Fountain Springs is a
residential program for addicted women with young children, offering child care
and child counseling while the mothers participate in treatment.
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
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Roland Kissinger, Owner/Operator,
McDonald’s Frackville; Marilyn Shearn,
Program Director, Fountain Springs;
Carole Lee, Fund Development Manager,
Gaudenzia North Central area; Wendy Bridal,
Prevention Program Director, Fountain Springs
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PICNIC
On September 3,
members of the North-Central
Community Affairs Council
hosted a picnic for individuals
in Gaudenzia’s care at Gordon
Park in Gordon, PA.
Recovery
Awareness Family
Picnic, Palio 2015
On September 12, despite inclement
weather, Recovery Awareness Family
Picnic, Palio 2015 in partnership
with Sunbury Community Hospital
Behavioral Health Program was held
at Shickellemy State Park. The activity
helped educate Northumberland County
residents about Gaudenzia’s outpatient
program and recovery services that are
available in rural Pennsylvania.
Recovery Walks!
On September 19, Gaudenzia alumni,
clients and staff joined an estimated
25,000 people in Recovery Walks! held
at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.
Individuals celebrating more than 10
years in recovery proudly displayed
sashes throughout the event.
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Knots
Project
Woven knots formed the stole that was presented to the Pope
Lori Lasher (left)
with project participants
On September 26, a very special presentation was made to Pope Francis
during his visit to Philadelphia. Learning that one of the Pope’s favorite
pieces of art is called Mary, Undoer of Knots, community volunteer
Lori Lasher spun yarn for a stole that was made of knots by poor and
disenfranchised people who have “knots” in their lives. Participants also
wrote personal stories in a journal telling part of their stories and describing
what the knots represented. In August, Ms. Lasher invited voluntary
participation at Gaudenzia programs at 1306 Spring Garden Street in
Philadelphia and also at State Correctional Institution at Chester. She was
overwhelmed by the outpouring of clients, alumni and staff representing
all faiths who were eager to engage in the project. The completed shawl
was presented to the Pope at an unscheduled stop during his visit.
On September 26 at Presque Isle in Erie,
160 people participated in the annual
Race For Recovery event.
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OPEN
HOUSE
On October 8, an Open House
and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
was held at Integrity House,
a 16 bed half-way house for men,
in York, PA.
Erin Pressel, Referral
Development Manager
and Seth Grove, PA
State Representative
Doug Hoke, York County Commissioner; Keith Gillespie,
PA State Representative; Mark Durgin, York/Adams HealthChoices
Management Unit; Michelle Hovis, Executive Director York County
Human Services Department; Audrey Glatfelter, York/Adams Drug
and Alcohol Commission; Paula Ruane, Central Region Director;
Sheila Ross, Board Member and MIke Harle.
Gaudenzia Inc. is pleased to receive $1,000 from
The Allstate Foundation in honor of Allstate Agent
Stephen Vahey’s volunteerism. We are pleased to
partner with Allstate and their commitment to making
our hometowns better, safer places to live.
On October 9 and 10
a Basket Raffle was held at
the United Church of Christ in
Schuylkill Haven, PA benefitting
Gaudenzia treatment at facilities
in Schuylkill County.
Recently, Glenside and Chestnut Hill Rotary Clubs
conducted fundraisers totaling $12,000 to purchase
playground equipment at Gaudenzia’s New Image
womens and children’s residential program in
North Philadelphia. Over the course of several
months, Rotary volunteers invested time and effort
transforming the playground area, including initial
preparation of the space and clean up afterwards.
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George Hosler,
Shawna Ebert
and Peggy Zechman
Cindy Keeley
and Donna Bowen
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Jeff and
Peggy Davis
In Baltimore, the GIVE Volunteer group has been collecting
various supplies and raised over $2,000 for the children who
are in residence with their moms at the Harry and Jeannette
Weinberg Family Center. On August 26, GIVE volunteers
delivered the supplies and also chaperoned a field trip for
residents to the Maryland Zoo and the Howard Peters
Rawlings Conservatory. The trip was funded by a grant
from the Family League of Baltimore.
GIVE volunteers Kristin Dodson, Courtney East, Natalie Hazlehurst,
Derrick Leak and Matt Stangroom with staff and families from
Gaudenzia’s Women with Children program in Baltimore
Thanks to a generous donation from Aegis
Mechanical Corporation, Gaudenzia’s Chesapeake
Region held an outdoor cook out and movie night
on October 7 for adult clients, and a visit to
Rodgers’ Farms pumpkin patch on October 19
for children in residence with their moms at the
Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Family Center in
Park Heights, Baltimore.
Kristin Dodson, GIVE volunteer, helps children
decorate pumpkins that they picked on a trip to
Rodgers’ Farms.program in Baltimore
OPEN HOUSE
On November 16,
an Open House was held at
Gaudenzia Sunbury Outpatient Program
for referral sources and funders.
Lisa Eroh and Liz Bickhart
Snyder County Probation Officers
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
Julie Albright,
Larry Kerstetter
and Lucy Evans
Linda Richards and Haley Inch
DECEMBER 2015
Kay Foltz-Brown, West Shore Program Supervisor
and Stephanie Roth, Administrative Manager
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Philadelphia
International
Dragon Boat Festival
Gaudenzia partnered with Caddick Utilities to
compete in the 2015 Philadelphia International
Dragon Boat Festival on the Schuylkill River in
Fairmount Park. Caddick Utilities encouraged
their employees to join the team. The company
generously underwrote the event expenses so
that all the individual fundraising efforts would
directly impact treatment services at Gaudenzia
in Philadelphia. On November 7, our
Gaudenzia Gladiators took their place alongside
136 other boats that included nonprofit
organizations, corporations, clubs, universities,
and out-of-state participants. By day’s end, our
Gladiators earned a Silver Medal in their
Division. Our presence helped raise awareness
about Gaudenzia to thousands of participants
and spectators throughout the event.
Photos courtesy of M. J. DiNardo
James Duffy, Joan Brown, Mike
Rody and Elena Grande
Charity Food
Collection
On November 13, Steve Blank,
Division Director, addressed
the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club
in Wilmington, DE about
Gaudenzia’s work.
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
Elana Grande, a West Chester resident, began volunteering at the
Chester County Food Bank and learned of the opportunity to pick up
baked goods from Entenmann's Bakery to give to local charities. Elena
immediately thought of Gaudenzia. Twice a month, she and long-time
volunteer Mike Rody load up his truck at Entenmann's Bakery with
bakery goods to deliver to Gaudenzia programs in Chester County.
Gaudenzia appreciates their thoughtfulness, as well as the kindness
of Chester County Food Bank and Entenmann's Bakery.
DECEMBER 2015
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Spotlight
Parkway Center City High School Senior,
Malik R., graduated on June 17 with a
3.3 GPA and acceptances from 20 colleges
to consider. He had been offered partial
and full scholarships, underscoring his
academic excellence and leadership abilities,
to Indiana University of Pennsylvania,
Shippensburg University, Ohio State and
Susquehanna University, to name a few.
Malik overcame difficulties that many
children do not experience. His mother
struggled with mental health and substance
use disorders, resulting in a living situation
that was inconsistent. Malik attended
several primary schools in his formative
years and observed helplessly as his mother
struggled with her illness and her addiction.
Eventually, Malik and his mother obtained
permanent housing for post-treatment
Meet Malik R.
Recipient of Gaudenzia's Services
in Philadelphia
single-parenting women at Gaudenzia’s Tioga Arms facility in North
Philadelphia. Under the watchful eyes of caring staff members who took
an interest in Malik's education, he became active in the Drama Club
and took up hobbies such as poetry, writing plays and acting. During
High School, Malik had major roles in four plays.
Toni Montier, Director of Housing at Gaudenzia commented,
“We’ve seen the generational cycle of addiction broken due to proper
treatment and stable housing. Success stories such as Malik's are
inspirational and show that obstacles can be overcome. Today he is
living his dream.”
Malik was determined to complete high school and college, and then
focus on a career. With college now a reality, Malik plans to major in
business and psychology. “Initially, I wanted to become an actor, but as
time progressed, I switched to psychology. Acting remains a primary
passion, though.” Malik hopes to help people dealing with mental health
issues, especially those impacted by substance abuse. “If I had to pick the
perfect job, it would be getting homeless people off the streets, helping
kids that don’t have anywhere to go. Like myself, I guess."
Agency News Staff Appointment
Gaudenzia, Inc. is pleased to announce
Paresh (Perry) Patel, MBA, CHA as
Chief Operating Officer, effective
November 2, 2015.
Mr. Patel is a graduate of St. John’s
University where he earned his Master’s
of Business Administration in Public
Accounting and Widener University where he studied toward
a Master’s of Science in Healthcare Finance. Mr. Patel is also
a Certified Hospitality Administrator and a member of
Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).
Prior appointments held by Mr. Patel include:
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Blood Bank of Delmarva;
CFO at MRPC Financial Management and CFO/Partner at
21st Management Company. Mr. Patel has received awards
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
DECEMBER 2015
and commendations, including: Controller of the
Year, 2014; Asian American Hotel Owner Association’s
Award for Excellence, 2012. Mr. Patel is presently
Commissioner at New Castle County, Delaware and
is past Chairman of the Delaware Hotel and Lodging
Association.
Mr. Patel brings over thirty years of progressive
leadership experience in the field of healthcare
and finance management and has proven executive
leadership abilities. He also has a strong background
in project management, budgeting and forecasting,
risk management, IT infrastructure, hospitality
and healthcare management, commercial real estate
and Board relations in Pennsylvania, Maryland
and Delaware.
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GAUDENZIA, Inc.
Corporate Offices
106 W. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
www.gaudenzia.org
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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. Dwyer
Chair, Gaudenzia Foundation
Gadi Aronson
Director of Development
Dan Gugliuzza
Julie Girsch
Jane Horetsky
Carole Lee
Lynanne Schaeffer
Ashley Seal
Contributors
Please forward address changes to:
Gaudenzia Gazette
106 W. Main Street,
Norristown, PA 19401
fmeis@gaudenzia.org
eWarmest wishes
from the entire Gaudenzia
family. May the New Year
bring peace and happiness.
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Production costs of this issue have been
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through the 2015 Staff Appeal.
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
DECEMBER 2015
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