Help Addicts in Recovery thru Art
Donación protegida
Hello, and thanks for viewing our Gofundme page.
My name is Pete and I have worked as an addictions counselor for the last 7 years. I have seen first hand the devastation that addiction can cause in the lives of everyday people like you and me.
I have worked with many patients that have struggled with the demon of addiction. "Mary" was prescribed pain killers to help control her pain after a routine surgery. Two months later she she found herself in the throws of a $300 per day addiction. To fund her addiction she raided her parents' retirement fund and quickly spent over $100,000. When she entered treatment she was racked with guilt, unemployed and suicidal. After one year in treatment she had repaired her relationship with her parents, obtained a job, began a payment plan to return the money she spent, and felt as though life was worth living again. Mary is one of the 'lucky' ones because her story has a happy ending...Quite often though, when someone develops an addiction, the story ends in isolation, depression and death.
This September has been named "National Recovery Month" and I would like to celebrate the effort through the struggles as well as the successes of patients that have, and are currently being served in the program for which I work by hosting a "Celebrating recovery through art expression" event. The event will take place one evening in September (2016). The date is yet to be determined mainly due to the question of securing the finances.
Money generously donated will be used to purchase art supplies (paints, brushes, canvasses etc.), light refreshments and the services of an experienced recovery art workshop facilitator with 25 years of 12 step recovery.
For one evening, patients in the substance use treatment program will be able to experience a "paint night" to celebrate their recovery and the recovery of many who have come before them.
They will also be able to celebrate the efforts and express their feelings regarding those who came before them, battled their addiction, but were not so fortunate, like Wally.
Wally worked as an exterminator until he injured his back and could no longer work. He applied for disability but in the time his case was being processed he became addicted to oxycodone, a prescription pain medicine. He turned to shoplifting small appliances to fund his addiction. He was arrested and served 6 months in the local detention center. Upon his release he was required to enter treatment, but like many, he did not. Soon after he was out of jail he was addicted again. Four months after his release from jail, Wally overdosed and died. He was 29 years old.
Art can be healing, and it can provide an outlet for our emotions. Expressing our feelings through art can be extremely therapuetic. My hope is that for this one night--this one evening dedicated to celebrating recovery and all of the patients that have struggled with addiction--we can create beautiful works of art that tell each patient's unique story. The art that is created by these patients during our "paint night" will proudly be displayed on the walls in the building of the program I work. Employees, visitors and current and future patients will be able to enjoy the paintings and experience the stories of the lives of these patients through viewing their artwork. The paintings may serve as an inspiration to those engaged in their battle of addiction, and a reminder of those that were not so fortunate in their struggles against the disease.
I hope you will consider donating whatever amount you can to make this event happen. I appreciate you taking the time to read our page, regardless of whether you can donate or not. If by chance you can donate, please know how grateful I am that you have decided to contribute to the recovery of our patients and the quality of their lives.
Thank you so much...
Sincerely,
Pete
My name is Pete and I have worked as an addictions counselor for the last 7 years. I have seen first hand the devastation that addiction can cause in the lives of everyday people like you and me.
I have worked with many patients that have struggled with the demon of addiction. "Mary" was prescribed pain killers to help control her pain after a routine surgery. Two months later she she found herself in the throws of a $300 per day addiction. To fund her addiction she raided her parents' retirement fund and quickly spent over $100,000. When she entered treatment she was racked with guilt, unemployed and suicidal. After one year in treatment she had repaired her relationship with her parents, obtained a job, began a payment plan to return the money she spent, and felt as though life was worth living again. Mary is one of the 'lucky' ones because her story has a happy ending...Quite often though, when someone develops an addiction, the story ends in isolation, depression and death.
This September has been named "National Recovery Month" and I would like to celebrate the effort through the struggles as well as the successes of patients that have, and are currently being served in the program for which I work by hosting a "Celebrating recovery through art expression" event. The event will take place one evening in September (2016). The date is yet to be determined mainly due to the question of securing the finances.
Money generously donated will be used to purchase art supplies (paints, brushes, canvasses etc.), light refreshments and the services of an experienced recovery art workshop facilitator with 25 years of 12 step recovery.
For one evening, patients in the substance use treatment program will be able to experience a "paint night" to celebrate their recovery and the recovery of many who have come before them.
They will also be able to celebrate the efforts and express their feelings regarding those who came before them, battled their addiction, but were not so fortunate, like Wally.
Wally worked as an exterminator until he injured his back and could no longer work. He applied for disability but in the time his case was being processed he became addicted to oxycodone, a prescription pain medicine. He turned to shoplifting small appliances to fund his addiction. He was arrested and served 6 months in the local detention center. Upon his release he was required to enter treatment, but like many, he did not. Soon after he was out of jail he was addicted again. Four months after his release from jail, Wally overdosed and died. He was 29 years old.
Art can be healing, and it can provide an outlet for our emotions. Expressing our feelings through art can be extremely therapuetic. My hope is that for this one night--this one evening dedicated to celebrating recovery and all of the patients that have struggled with addiction--we can create beautiful works of art that tell each patient's unique story. The art that is created by these patients during our "paint night" will proudly be displayed on the walls in the building of the program I work. Employees, visitors and current and future patients will be able to enjoy the paintings and experience the stories of the lives of these patients through viewing their artwork. The paintings may serve as an inspiration to those engaged in their battle of addiction, and a reminder of those that were not so fortunate in their struggles against the disease.
I hope you will consider donating whatever amount you can to make this event happen. I appreciate you taking the time to read our page, regardless of whether you can donate or not. If by chance you can donate, please know how grateful I am that you have decided to contribute to the recovery of our patients and the quality of their lives.
Thank you so much...
Sincerely,
Pete
Organizador y beneficiario
Pete Taylor
Organizador
Baltimore, MD
Substance Abuse Team
Beneficiario