Erin Cole's Addiction Recovery Project

My name is Erin Cole, I attend Kenston High School, and I am an Ambassador Girl Scout from Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Council working toward earning my Girl Scout Gold Award.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts, earned by completing awards that promote community service, personal growth, positive values and leadership skills. The last step in earning the Girl Scout Gold Award is a community project of at least 80 hours that addresses the root cause of an issue I am passionate about and meets a need in my community.

For my project I will be focusing on helping those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and need mental health support. My project goal is to help raise funds and assist in the design of the Red Tulip Project 12 Step Meditation Garden in Geauga County located behind the Monarch Meadow Level II Recovery Home for women. This pollinator garden is in the shape of a butterfly. Walking paths will lead to stations that will follow the 12 steps of the AA recovery process. Each station will have a unique signage that will explain step one (1) through (12) of the AA recovery process and include the name(s) of the individual or organization sponsoring the station. I will work alongside the sponsor to design the station dedicated to a loved one who is either going through the recovery process or lost to the horrible disease of alcohol or drug addiction.

I chose this project because I have learned a lot from the women living at the Monarch Meadow Level II recovery home and respect their strength as they overcome the struggles they are working through. I also know and love people who suffer from mental health and addiction issues.

Your help with my project is greatly appreciated. I would like to request a monetary donation toward my Gold Award project.

With your support we can help our community and build leadership skills in a future leader.

Thank you for your consideration of my request. Please let me know if your donation will be dedicated to a loved one who has been affected by addiction. Please visit www.redtulipproject.com to learn more about the project!