Winter/Spring 2016

Winter/Spring 2016
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Success Story
Lea
People who go to 12-step meetings are advised to find one person
who believes in them — for Lea, that person was her POWER mentor.
With her mentor’s support Lea was able to
Three years later, Lea entered a second inpatient
work through her feelings about a childhood and
program and a caseworker connected her with a
adolescence filled with trauma. When she was
POWER mentor. That relationship changed Lea’s
11, her step-father, a good parent, moved out
life. “My mentor was so kind and patient with
and was replaced by her biological father, an
me,” Lea says. “I don’t know why, because I was
alcoholic. While her father drank every night, her
really rebellious in treatment. I was just so mad
older brother was using drugs. “It made him a
at myself.” Her mentor helped Lea acquire the
Jekyll and Hyde,” Lea says. Another brother
tools she needed to deal with the trauma she’d
was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic and
experienced and to
when Lea was 13, he stabbed their mother.
work on her recovery.
She survived, and helped Lea through two
“We’d sit in her car
miscarriages followed by the birth of Lea’s first
and talk for a long time
child at age 19. Five months later her mother,
and then she’d tell me:
whom Lea called her best friend, died.
‘OK, we know what the
Lea turned to drugs to deal with the difficulties
in her life. She started experimenting with
cigarettes when she was 11, marijuana when
she was 12, and crack — supplied by her
“The only
person you are
destined to become
is the person you
decide to be.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“My mentor
was so kind and
patient with me.”
problem is. How do
we get to the solution?’ I hear her voice saying
that in my head all the time. Now I say it to other
people. It’s one of the ways I give back.”
brother — when she was 13. She got married,
Giving back is Lea’s main goal. She has four
had three children, and continued to use
years clean, is working as a home health aide,
for 13 years.
and plans to get a degree in social work and
After an inpatient treatment stay, Lea stopped
smoking crack for nine years. She managed a
convenience store and received certification to be
a nursing assistant. Her marriage was stable and
go on from there for her master’s. Ultimately,
she hopes to open a center to teach life skills to
young people — and to believe in them just like
her mentor believed in her.
she had a fourth child. But she didn’t have recovery;
she relapsed and started using regularly again.
Alums!
If you were highlighted at POWER Promises or the POWER Luncheon and Fashion
Show, please contact Karen Clark, kclark@power-recovery.com, 412-243-7535, x214
about your possible participation in this year’s event. Thank you!
Board of Directors
Erin M. Felix, President
Sherree R. Goldstein, Vice President
Susan S. Everingham, Secretary
Eileen Simmons, Treasurer
Steven Alschuler
Emmie Calland
Tina Flowers
Judith Griggs, PhD
Christine Hoover
Nancy Kurdyla
Judith R. Owen
Mary Prezioso
Margaret Sitko
Virginia Volponi
John Wilds, PhD
Advisory Council
Arthur M. Scully, III, Chair
Jan Bleier
Paul E. Block
Candi Castleberry Singleton
Darieth Chisolm
Christopher Dunn
Dr. Andrea Fox
Judge Livingstone M. Johnson
Gayle Manning
Grant McLaughlin
Terry Miller
Tom Murphy
Boyd Murray
Raj Narendran
Jan Pagliari
Norma Raiff
Kristi Rogers
Cindy Shapira
Mindy Shreve
Lora Sigesmund
Joy Starzl
Jim Turner
Dr. Abraham Twerski
Mike Walsh, PhD
Sheila Washington
Brenda Joyce Waters
Karen Farmer White
Lois R. O’Connor, Emeritus
Administration
dear friends,
I can hardly believe that we’re celebrating POWER’s 25th anniversary!
Or that I’ve been with POWER for 24 of those years! Where does the time go?
While I wish with all of my heart that we worked ourselves out of business, that is
sadly not the case. And so I am left with feeling grateful that we’re here for women
who need us, women who have made the difficult decision
to face down their disease and do the hard work of learning
to live in recovery.
I often tell a true story that means a lot to me and that continues to motivate me
even though it happened early on in my tenure as POWER’s Executive Director.
A supporter wanted to treat the women at our residential treatment site, POWER
House, to a lunch out and I went along with the women and staff. The conversation turned to birthdays
for some reason and we went around the table giving our birth dates. When one woman said that her
birthday was February 2, I said that was my birthday too and asked ‘Linda’ where she was born. When
she responded that she was born in Rochester, New York, I could hardly believe it. ‘That’s where I was
born,’ I said. ‘What hospital were you born in?’ To my amazement, we were born in the same hospital,
on the same day and year, and could have been side by side in that hospital nursery! Every time I tell the
story, I get choked up because I think of the vicious nature of addiction and how easily I could have been
the one burdened with it. Who would have thought that one of those babies would grow up and become
addicted to drugs and the other would lead the agency where she sought help?
What I realized then is that no one chooses to grow up and find herself at the mercy of the
devastating disease of addiction. No one chooses to lose children, family, work, and perhaps even
her life to addiction. And that is exactly why POWER has been doing this lifesaving work for 25 years
and why we will continue to do it for women like ‘Linda’ who find the will and the courage to walk
through our doors.
Happy Birthday POWER!
Rosa Davis, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Madelon Edelstone, MEd
Associate & Development Director
Debra Raubenstrauch, MPM
Director of Finance & Operations
Rosa Davis, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Olivia Zitelli, MSW, SPHR
Director of Human Resources, HR-C
POWER welcomes questions, comments,
and suggestions from our readers
about programs, services, and topics
discussed in our newsletter. Please
send all inquiries to:
Editor
Karen Clark
Volunteer Coordinator
412.243.7535, ext. 214
Contributing Writers
Rosa Davis, Executive Director
Madelon Edelstone,
Associate & Development Director
Design by: SJH Design
Kudos
• Judy Acheson, POWER Therapist, completed the Sexual Orientation
and Gender Identity Expression “Train the Trainer” program in October.
• Katie O’Brien, POWER Therapist, became a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker (LCSW) in October.
• Alessandra Almeida, POWER Therapist, received her credential
as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in November.
• Kristen Vehar, POWER Mentor, graduated from Carlow University
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology last fall.
MAY 18, 2016
/
SAVE THE DATE
Celebrating 25 years of helping women build a
strong foundation for their recovery from addiction.
POWER Promises, A Night of Hope, will celebrate POWER’s 25th anniversary in a grand manner!
Scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, May 18, at the
David Hickton, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of
Westin Convention Center Hotel, music, food, silent and live
Pennsylvania, will be a featured speaker. KDKA’s Brenda
auctions, and, as always, cheering for POWER graduates,
Waters, also a member of POWER’s Advisory Council
will combine to create an extraordinary experience for our
and a former member of POWER’s Board of Directors,
guests! We are delighted that this year’s event will also
will emcee the festivities with former Mayor Tom Murphy
feature an art sale, curated by Jeffrey Jarzynko, that includes
in the role of auctioneer. Music will be provided by
works by some of this area’s leading artists.
DJ Kelli Burns.
Honorary Chair Leslie C. Davis, UPMC Senior VP, states
As Executive Director Rosa Davis remarks, “POWER has a
“I believe wholeheartedly in the lifesaving work that POWER
proud history of helping women build a solid foundation for
is engaged in and I hope that the community will join us
their recovery and this event will honor the women who have
on May 18 to celebrate women in recovery. It will be a
come to POWER and changed their lives.”
remarkable and inspiring evening.”
2013
2009
2014
2010
2013
2012
2015
Drinking too much — including binge drinking — results in about 23,000 deaths in women and girls each year.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
volunteer news
Thank you
POWER
volunteers!
Linda Kleiman started
crocheting afghans
to get her through
an illness. Now she
continues to make
afghans and donates
a lot of them to
POWER clients.
Carol Jeffrey, Marie Guerra, Sandie Stuart, &
Dawn Getty were at POWER’s farewell tea for
GlaxoSmithKline volunteers.
Linda Perkins, Marcia Smith, Ernestine Myrick,
Gaye Fifer, & Carolyn Burgh walk with House
residents at 7:30 am.
Former volunteer
Michelle Campbell
returned to help
staff the outpatient
reception desk.
Marion Hunt and Rosemary Harris joined the
Factory’s staff of volunteer receptionists.
Kaska
Komosinski
does clerical
projects and
organized
donations of
holiday gifts.
Valerie Bacharach invited Erin Dansevicus to
do a presentation on Spoken Word in Valerie’s
poetry sessions.
Laura Baird
assisted
Kirsten
DeStefano
when she
brought her
dog Snoop
to visit House
residents.
Pastor Melissa Morris, Santa Jim Smith,
JoAnn Mospan, & Terry Luterancik of Swissvale
Presbyterian Church delivered Christmas in July
donations to the POWER House.
Shadyside Presbyterian Church held an exhibit
of art by POWER clients. Here are POWER
Outpatient supervisor Brandi Gurcak with
Shadyside’s Eileen Flaherty and one of the
client’s pieces.
POWER clients’ artwork
“People at
POWER loved me
when I didn’t know
how to love myself.”
~ Lisa
Southbrook
Middle
To become a POWER volunteer,
please contact Karen Clark at
kclark@power-recovery.com or
412.243.7535, ext. 214
“Volunteers are unpaid
not because they’re
worthless, but because
they’re priceless.”
~ Erma Bombeck
GlaxoSmithKline staff Sandie Stuart, Anita Lioi,
Vicky Clancy & Dawn Getty helped House
residents bake holiday cookies for the second
year in a row.
holiday
volunteers!
POWER staff Linda Perkins and Cheryl Werber
help Becky Studer and Betty Duquesnoy unload
holiday gifts from the First Unitarian Church’s
Women’s Alliance.
Discovery Christian Church held a holiday High
Tea for POWER House residents.
Discovery Christian Church high tea volunteers
gave every House resident a fascinator; here
they are wearing their own.
Jamie Grimes helped
Holy Wisdom’s
Gail Buchman load
gifts for clients’ children.
Lora Rutkowski delivered 28 hoodies donated at
the holidays by St. Louise de Marillac Church.
Karen McCue
held a special
exercise and
Mary Kay
pampering
session for
the holidays.
Rosemary Hulsman (center, in green) recruited
volunteers to donate and wrap holiday presents
for POWER clients for the 24th year in a row.
Pitt’s Campus Women’s Organization members
Abby Meinen, Mili Patel, Suzy Hinkle, Max Chis
& Katie Kienbaum visited with House residents
at the holidays.
An estimated 2.7 million women abuse drugs or alcohol. Source: Federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 2012
Donor Honor Roll
Recognition is based on cumulative gifts, including United Way pledges, made from
January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. Thank you for your generous support
throughout the year! A full list of donors can be found at power-recovery.com.
Garden of Promises
($1,000+)
Allegheny County Conservation District
Steven Alschuler & Hannah Arnold
Amcom Office Systems
Jan Bamford
BNY Mellon Community Partnership
Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania
Cochenour Law Offices PC
Cornell University Foundation
Kathy D’Appolonia
James D. Darby, Jr.
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Patty Devlin
Christopher Dunn
Duquesne University
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Erin Felix
First Commonwealth Bank
FISA Foundation
Tina Flowers
Gateway Rehabilitation Center
Giant Eagle, Inc.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
Sherree Goldstein
Gymkhana Inc.
W Clark Hagan Trust
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anna Hilliard
Christine Hoover
John R. McCune Charitable Trust
Livingstone M. Johnson &
Lee Brun Johnson
Lab 8 Designs, inc.
Mike & Diana Larson
Robert Levin & Dr. Kerry Bron
Levin Furniture
Local Goodness LLC
Department of Counseling &
Development, Slippery Rock University
Gayle Manning
Massey Charitable Trust
Lynn McCarthy
Anonymous
Mary McKinney
Tom & Mona Murphy
Judi & Ron Owen
Nicholas Payiavlas & Mary Prezioso
PNC Bank
Point Legal LLC
Anonymous
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Schneider Downs Wealth
Management Advisors, LP
Arthur M. Scully, III & Debbie Scully
Shadyside Presbyterian Church
Eileen Simmons
Margaret Sitko
Sitko Bruno, LLC
Soroptimist International
of Pittsburgh Inc.
Square Cafe
Carole King & Chip Burke
The Pittsburgh Foundation
The Wilson Group, LLC
Thomas Marshall Foundation
Dean Thompson & Lauren Schneider
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC, UPMC Health Plan & Community
Care Behavioral Health
Virginia Volponi
John Wilds, PhD
Benefactors
($500-$999)
3 Rivers Combined Federal Campaign
& Friends
Valerie & Paul Bacharach
Bobby Rahal Automotive Group
Celerity LLC
Chatham University
MetLife
Discovery House
Bob & Barb Dunkelman
Fred Eldridge
Fair Oaks Foundation Inc.
Drs. Kenneth Thompson & Andrea Fox
Marlayna Gehrking
GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
Jean Haller & Henry Haller, III
Kevin Hayes
Julie Hecker
Kennon Insurance Consultants Inc.
Liberty Insurance Agency
Grant McLaughlin
Theresa M. Miller
Suzanne Parks
Steve & Debbie Paschall
Terri I. Patak
PerLora
Debra Raubenstrauch
Sandra & Sam Reiman
Revive Marketing Group
Kristi Rogers
Mindy J. Shreve
Wesley Sowers, MD & Sara C. Hamel
Studio Booth
Dean Thompson & Lauren Schneider
David Townley
Typhoon Lighting
Mr. & Mrs. David B. Yates
Miriam M. Zimmer
Olivia Zitelli
2015 In-Kind Donors
4moms
84 Lumber Company/Nemacolin
Woodlands Resort & Spa
Adina Mills Designhouse
Allison McGeary Florist, Inc.
Allure
Annex Cookery
Artist & Craftsman Supply
Baron Batch
Bella Christie & Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique
big Burrito Restaurant Group
Big Y Group
Bistro 19
Body Harmony Massage Therapy
Karyn Bradley
Buzzy Photography
BYS Yoga
Caesar’s Designs Fine
Jewelry Creations
Capristo Salon & Wellness Spa
Carabella
Maria Carlini
Catherina
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Kathleen Cleaver
Clifford’s Restaurant
Nancy L. Cochran
Color Me Mine
Carol Constantine
Contemporary Concepts
Amber Coppings Designs
Vivian Lee Croft
Dave & Buster’s
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Rosa Davis
Daviea Davis
Diane Cleaners Inc.
Dinette
Sarah Ditka
Acoustic Diversion
Donato’s
East End Food Co-op
Madelon Edelstone
Euro Concepts International
Eyetique
Fairmont Pittsburgh
Feathers
Terry Fedele
Lyn Ferlo
Frick Art & Historical Center
Geno Levi Salon
Giant Eagle, Inc.
Kate Grannemann
Handcrafted Portraits
Franco Harris
Henne Jewelers
Hepatica
Susie Hernishin
Karen Howard
Izzazu Salon Spa & Serata
James Floral & Gift Shoppe
Kate Joyce
LaVerne Kemp
Joe King
La Feria
Dorothy Samuels Lampl
Larrimor’s
Karen Larson
Legume
LinaBags
Angela Longo
Michael Lotenero
Manchester Craftsmens Guild
Gayle Manning
Mansions on Fifth
Mario’s Family Italian Restaurant
Maxalto
Max’s Allegheny Tavern
Jenny Menhennet
Jared Miller
Tom Mosser
Tom & Mona Murphy
Shirley Novak
Omni William Penn Hotel
Judi & Ron Owen
P.F. Chang’s
Pamar
Pamela’s P & G Diners
Panera Bread Company
Patricia Boutique
PerLora
Philip Pelusi Inc.
Marian Phillips
Phipps Conservatory
and Botanical
Gardens Inc.
Pittsburgh CLO
Pittsburgh Opera
Pittsburgh Playhouse
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Posy
Judith Prezioso
Pursuits
Rachel’s Cure by Design
Katie Reardon
Sandra Reiman
Martine Relis
Rivers Club
Riverside Design Group + Plates with
Purpose
Bill Rizzo
Sherri Roberts
Kristi Rogers
Bonnie Rubin
Judith Ruszkowski
Savoy Restaurant & Lounge
Keith Schmiedlin
James Schuster
Scribe
Sea Glass Fine Art
Serendipity
Shadyside Variety Store
Shannopin Country Club
Kathy Sickels
Sisters Floral Designs
Margaret Sitko
Social @ Bakery Square
Society for Contemporary Craft
Sognatore
Nina Sowiski
Square Cafe
Kathryn Stanko
Kathy Stewart
Studio Booth
Tallulah’s Catering
Ten Thousand Villages
Tennis Village
The Chocolate Moose
The Picket Fence
Trader Joe’s
Christine Tumpson
Victoria
Brenda J. Waters
WildCard
Wildwood Golf Club
William Penn Jewelers & Watchmakers
Jonathan Winslow
Olivia Zitelli
Winifred Bagley
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Joan Bird
David Townley
Genevieve Davidson
Hugh Davidson
Karen & Alan Waggoner
Erin Felix
Stephanie Garbe
Sherree Goldstein
Jean Comber
Tracey Stayduhar
Ann Harris
Georgia & Bob Hernandez
Christy Hatfield
Megan King
Patty Himes
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Dorothy Ingersoll
Barbara S. Moore
Valery Keibler
Leslee Keibler
Patty Lilja
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Theresa Miller
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Susan Money
Donna P. Leone
Kristine Nipaver
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Lois O’Connor
Dolores Barber
Susan Cramer
James D. Darby, Jr.
Lois Mikus
Norma Raiff
Arthur M. Scully, III & Debbie Scully
Mary Phillips
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Jan Rochez
Jacqlyn Stein
Charleen Roland
Anonymous
William & Jeannette Smith
Joyce Serratore
Beverly Banovatz
Mindy Shreve
Jerry Rabinowitz
Margaret Sitko
Michelle Bisno, Ed. D
Tina Verba
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Karen Waggoner
Gen & Hugh Davidson
“Understand
and be confident that
each of us can make a
difference by caring and
acting in small as well
as big ways.”
~ Marian Wright Edelman
Please report any errors or omissions to 412.243.7535, ext. 223 — thank you!
In Honor of…
In Memory of…
Eugene Bamford
Elmira Bailey
Laura Barger
Bill Boedeker
Kenya Boswell
Lori Brenner
Jeep Bryant
Kathleen Charochak
Lily Cornely
Sylvia Crawford
Rosa Davis & Madelon Edelstone
Aniko Delaney
Dawna Delaney
Maria D’Errico
Regina Desbrow
Helen Garbowski
Ron Gruendl
Larry Harris
Kevin Heine
Dave Hogg & Jackie Kalocay-Hogg
Daisey Holmes
Bobbi Kellar
Stanley Ko
Geraldine Lutzel
Leann Nigut
Margaret Sitko
John Schano
Donna Schneiderman
Herbert Fleck
Madelon Edelstone
Legacy Society Member Spotlight:
Terry Miller
Terry Miller is a
POWER Founder,
our first Executive
Director, and a
current member
of the POWER
Advisory Council.
Terry spoke recently with Associate and Development Director Madelon Edelstone about
her reasons for including POWER in her planned giving portfolio:
“I’ve loved POWER since before it existed, when it was still a dream and an idea that took
hard work and commitment on the part of many people over a quarter of a century ago. I
couldn’t be more proud and gratified to see how POWER has grown, thanks to past and
Haley Higginbotham
Michael & Debra Ignelzi
current leaders both lay and professional, with Executive Director Rosa Davis at the helm.
Cindy Kolenda
Anonymous
When POWER was founded, it consisted of one program — residential treatment
Sally Levin
Robert Levin
Michaela McBride-Bradley
Stephen & Alicia Arbuckle
Theresa McGlade
Jack & Agnus Berenato
Susan Money
Timothy Baker
Cynthia Flores
Dale Ketcham Graves
Gary W. Kochanowski, Jr.
Lynn Pettyjohn
also known as POWER House. Today, it is a comprehensive continuum of services
designed specifically to meet the unique needs of women in recovery from addiction.
I’ve watched, and on occasion played a more active role in, POWER’s steady growth
into an organization which helps more than 1,000 women each year.
I am delighted and honored to be a member
“I’ve loved POWER since
before it existed, when it
was still a dream.”
Thelma Novak
Shirley Novak
of POWER’s Legacy Society. I want POWER
to be a viable resource for years to come
because women will continue to need
specialized care and treatment. While I wish
that weren’t so, I’m convinced that POWER is
Victor Novak
Shirley Novak
the place where women will get the best care possible. I encourage others who care about
Lecia Paris
Barry Gerber
women in need of help as they begin their recovery from addiction, to consider joining me
Robert Parker
Madelon Edelstone
Molly Parks
Sherree Goldstein
Susan Schmidt
Jack Buncher Foundation
Janet J. Earle
Nancy S. Hazlett, MD
Kara Larew
Christine Parker
Cathy Raphael
Franklin & Ellen Toker
as a member of POWER’s Legacy Society.”
If you’re interested in learning more about planned giving, please contact
Madelon Edelstone, Associate & Development Director, at 412.243.7535, ext. 215
or medelstone@power-recovery.com to discuss the full range of planned
giving options.
Debra Weigner
Mindy J. Shreve
The death rate from drug overdoses is climbing at a much faster pace than other causes of death, jumping to an
average of 15 per 100,000 in 2014 from nine per 100,000 in 2003. Source: NY Times.com
Administrative Office
7501 Penn Avenue • Suite 8
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone 412.243.7535
Fax 412.243.8711
www.power-recovery.com
Our Mission
Helping women reclaim
their lives from the disease
of addiction to alcohol and
other drugs, and reducing
the incidence of addiction in
future generations
The official registration and financial information of Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery
may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania,
1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Join us...
facebook.com/POWERRecovery
power-recovery.tumblr.com
twitter.com/POWERRecovery
pinterest.com/POWERRecovery
Cheryl Werber, Menna Abaye, & McKenzie Sauder
staffed Sunflower POWER registration.
Darlene Notte & Mary Prezioso staffed the
Sunflower POWER reservation table.
POWER Line
412.243.8755
Susan Leech
updated information
on all of POWER’s
referral sources.
donate online
www.power-recovery.com
united way contributor choice
During her internship at Met Life,
Erin Dansevicus filled her cubicle
with donations from co-workers
of items for POWER’s
welcome bags.
Thank you
POWER
volunteers!
See more volunteer news inside!
#3511
CFC
#85191