By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
After its fourth annual fundraising banquet, Together We Hurt Together We Heal is a few steps closer to opening Recovery House by the end of next year.
During the event Pastor Scott Blevins and Mary Jo Carle outlined the strategic plans for Together We Hurt Together We Heal for the rest of 2014 and 2015.
While a location has been identified for the group, Carle wasn’t ready to announce the location just yet; however plans are in place for the house.
“We know the level of programming we want at the residential house. We know the criteria that we are going to use. We have our rules and regulations developed, we have most of the programming in place, and we have some tentative ideas for staffing so our wheels are moving,” Carle said.
Carle said that an announcement on the location of the house will probably happen within three to five months.
In the meantime the group has numerous plans in place for the coming year.
“We are able to do referral to detox if they need it, or other treatment facilities that we work with closely. We are providing a family group on Thursday nights from 6 to 7:30. It is a support group to let family members know that they are not alone,” Carle said. “In October we are starting a 12-step recovery in grace program that is similar to AA, but it brings in a spiritual aspect also, so addicts can come to that. We do a lot of education out in the field. We talk in various groups and churches to get the word out that addiction is a disease and that people can recover from it,” Carle said.
Together We Hurt Together We Heal member Mary Jean Hensley was thankful for the donations brought in during the fundraiser.
“Anything we gain is more than we had before. What we don’t make tonight we will keep working towards. We are not going anywhere. We have been here for five years and will continue to be here as long as the community needs us,” Hensley said.
Sharing their story of their road to recovery were mother and son, Ginny and Ryan Utz.
“School was easy. Life seemed easier for everyone else and I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin,” Ryan said. “My life soon became ground down in fear, and I relied on alcohol, drugs, anything to help.”
“When I found God everything came together,” he finished.
Also speaking before the banquet crowd was Executive Director of The Family Research Council and cast member of the reality television show “19 Kids and Counting” Josh Dugger.
During his speech, Dugger spoke of growing up in a large family and that through the family values and relationship with their lord has been a guiding light in his life. Dugger also spoke of being the eldest of 19 kids that he had learned early on that he was a role model to his younger brothers and sisters.
Prior to the banquet beginning Dugger held a meet-and-greet. Dugger updated those attending on his organization’s work.
“I am excited about what is going on out here. Just to see Together We Hurt Together We Heal, and learning more about the work they are doing in the community; this is something we need in every city and community in America. We need people coming together who are passionate in helping people who are in need,” Dugger said.
“My focus now is to use every ounce of my energy to make certain that my kids to grow up in the same America I grew up in and I think that is the opportunity we have is to do that and continue it,” Dugger said.
After Dugger finished his speech, Pastor J.C. Church asked those in attendance to take a white envelope that had been placed in the banquet pamphlet, and to make a donation before leaving the event.