The James F. Gavin Award was presented to Robert Pacitti for his continuous, selfless work for those in recovery and in the community. Robert’s strong sense of community and unselfish attitude drives him to give his time and resources to help those in need and people around him in the community. Robert asks for nothing in return and is always there to help which made him the perfect recipient for the award in memory of our founder.
Last, but certainly not least, the Residents Award was presented to Tim O’Donnell. The award was a gold pocket watch inscribed “With Gratitude from 15,875 clients and countless friends”. In addition to the Resident Award he received Citations from Senator Jack Hart, Representatives Nick Collins and Martin Walsh and City Councilor Billy Linehan. He received a US Flag that was flown over the US Capitol commemorating his work here at Gavin from Congressman Stephen Lynch. Pictured is Thomas Butler from Senator Hart’s Office, John McGahan President Gavin Foundation, Tim O’Donnell and Judy McDonough Executive Director Edwina Martin House.
Tim recently retired as Vice President of the Gavin Foundation after many years of dedicated service. Tim graduated from the Gavin House in 1989 and decided to continue his work there with the foundation. Tim’s unwavering dedication, exemplary work ethic, and eagle-eyed attention to detail helped him work his way up through the foundation as well as establish the Gavin Foundation’s excellent reputation. Tim’s presence will be sorely missed, but he will continue to inspire us on our mission in the restoration of dignity and self-respect to those on the path of sobriety.
The Gavin Foundation would like to thank those who donated tickets for the residents of the Gavin and Cushing Houses to attend the dinner. The dinner would not have been possible if not for everyone’s hard work and generosity.
Again, on behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff and Residents thank you for your continued support.
“How come if alcohol kills millions of brain cells, it never killed the ones that made me want to drink?”
Seasons Greetings from all the staff at CRS. We have been busy and seen many changes since the last newsletter. Michelle Farmer, who started as an intern at the Gavin House in 1997 and continued working in numerous Gavin Foundation program since, has chosen to take a position closer to home. As anyone who has commuted from the southern part of Massachusetts knows, the drive can be an hour and fifteen minutes or two and a half hours. With much thought and the pulling of heart strings Michelle has taken a position in Rhode Island (30 minutes from home) where she will be providing quality care to those suffering from the disease of addiction. Originally, from South Boston, Michelle plans to continue to be a part of this community—with much gratitude we wish her well.
Genevieve McGuinness, LICSW has joined our team here at CRS. She is a graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work and has been working as a substance abuse clinician here in South Boston for the past 6 years. She is committed to this community and those who suffer from the disease of addiction. Please help us in welcoming Genevieve to the Gavin Foundation.
Lili Delorey and Jim Taggart have been working diligently throughout the changes and as usual, Lilia O’Donnell is providing us all with much appreciated administrative support. The Center now serves as home for the Total Immersion Program, the Diversion Program and Access to Recovery (ATR) in additional to traditional outpatient services. You ask what is ATR. Read on.
Access To Recovery program has gotten off to a fast start as we have enrolled over 400 clients since August 1st. People in early recovery face many obstacles and ATR provides services to assist clients overcome some of those obstacles. ATR emphasizes client choice, allowing individuals to choose where they receive clinical treatment and recovery support services in the community among a network of community-based and faith-based providers. Through the programming we are able to provide clients with Recovery Coaches, transportation assistance, appropriate job search clothes, pastoral counseling, Registry of Motor Vehicles’ services, sober housing assistance, GED test fees, eyeglasses and much more.
ATR services are available for any Suffolk County resident 18 years of age or older who is in early recovery and is currently involved with drug court or has been incarcerated in Massachusetts within the last two years. Jean Marie Hill and Paul Pazniokas are our ATR coordinators and they can be reached at the Center for Recovery Services at 617-268-5000.
Speakers for Hope Program has recently visited schools and organizations in Scituate, Chelsea, Somerville, Stoneham, Lawrence, and South Boston just to mention a few. Comedian Steve Sweeney who is accompanied by speakers Kerri B, Carl J, and our newest speaker Greta H. leads this program’s unique approach. Steve’s larger than life presence gets youngsters to really participate in the activities, including role-playing to build refusal skills, and exercises on how to develop and achieve goals. If you know of any schools, sports teams or civic organizations that might be interested in this service please call Kathy Connors at Gavin House
“If I take me out of blame…all I have is bla…bla…bla.”
The Walsh Center has been packed with preteens and teens this fall. The CYO program has been in full swing up at the Walsh. Both the boys and girls leagues are evenly matched and with all the teams playing well it has made for some close and entertaining games. The balcony has been bustling with friends and families cheering their player on, making for a competitive atmosphere to compete in. Not only is there CYO, the Walsh Center is now a home for Tenacity, which is an after school program 4 afternoons a week, that teaches the fundamentals of tennis in a fun and active way.
Needless to say, the Walsh Center has been doing great. These programs and many more would not be possible without the dedication and efforts of Gavin Foundations own Ron (Cheech) Maciejewski. Thanks for all that you do!!!
The YARD Project (Young Adult Recovery Destination) is located at 416 West Broadway in South Boston, and services young adults age 18-24 struggling with substance abuse. YARD would like to announce the new Alcoholics Anonymous meeting being held each Thursday evening 6-7pm beginning December 1st. YARD is also open Wednesday evenings 6-8pm for parents and families to share coffee and conversation. Additionally, we are pleased to offer free weekly YOGA classes for women 17 years and over. The classes held Tuesday evening from 6-8pm, are ongoing and open to the women of the South Boston Community as well. We would also like to extend an invite to our Open House/Holiday Party being held on Monday December 12th 4-6pm. A Hep C workshop will follow from 6-8pm for those interested in learning about prevention and treatment. YARD is currently taking referrals, if you would like more information regarding any of the above; please contact Celine 857-225-5218.
“Resentments are like stray cats; if you don’t feed them, they’ll go away.”
Cushing House, as this newsletter is going to press the residents are participating in Boston’s World AIDS Day event held at the Boston Center for the Arts' Cyclorama as part of the work they do with Medicine Wheel Productions. The residents are keeping a full schedule of activities in addition to their in house counseling. They are doing regular commitments at several transitional support programs, competing in rowing event with Hull Lifesaving Museum and attended the Community Forum hosted by Kay Walsh of SB CAN Reduce Underage Drinking.
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the new faces on our staff. The girls program is delighted to have Brenda Washington, Valerie Hogan, Stephen Mullaney, Kayrine Sandridge and Lori Tasney. They bring dedication, skill, and a spirit that will benefit us all.
The holiday season is always a very special time of the year at the Cushing House. The residents, whom have worked diligently at reestablishing family relationships, look forward to the opportunity of experiencing these spiritual moments with renewed hope. We as a staff are blessed by being able to witness grateful families welcoming home loved ones.
Mark your calendars the big games are right around the corner. The friendly basketball/volleyball games between the Gavin House “Top Cats” and the Cushing House “Big Dogs” or the Edwina Martin House “Ed’s Girls” vs. the Cushing House “Wild Cats” are truly worth the price of admission. “FREE”
Schedule: January 16, 2012, February 13, 2012 and March 12, 2012 all games will be played at the Walsh Gym beginning at 6pm.
The staff of the Cushing House wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. Please know that you
are an important part of resident’s success and it is only through your thoughtfulness and generosity
that we can continue to offer so much to our residents.
“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands that I still possess.”
Happy holidays from William J. Ostiguy High School. We have had an eventful year so far, filled with advancements in academics and recovery. On Friday, November 18, we were proud to present diplomas to a collection of hardworking, talented students during our mid-year graduation ceremony. The ceremony was wonderful, due in part to the presence of Dropkick Murphy’s lead singer Ken Casey as he awarded scholarships from the Claddagh Foundation to two of our students, Andy Porrell and Kerri LaBerge.
In other academic news, we are proud to announce the formation of Ostiguy’s first student council. Elections were held and those now in office are working hard to enhance the school community in every way possible.
We continue to work hard on our outreach efforts, visiting treatment facilities throughout the state, as well as several Boston public schools, in an effort to spread the word about Recovery High Schools.
The faculty and staff of Ostiguy High School look forward to what promises to be a very enjoyable, productive second half of the school year and we wish you and yours the very best during this holiday season.
Phoenix House is one of our newest collaborations for women and their children and is going very well. It is located at the old St. Mary’s Hospital at 90 Cushing Ave in Dorchester. Many thanks go to Shannon McNeil who currently spends 3 out of her 5 day work week at the Phoenix house running groups and teaching the women about recovery and being recently sober mothers. Their children are excited for winter break to come as with that comes Christmas (toys) and school vacation. We are pleased to be a collaborating partner of Phoenix House and to be able to share such a special time with these wonderful families, as they are a part of ours!
Alcoholics Anonymous Way of Life - Did you know that the AAWOL Program was first introduced to Gavin House in 1969. It is from Saskatchewan, Canada and was called NOVALCO which stands for New Alcoholic. The Program was written to help guide people in recovery to apply the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into their new way of life living sober.
The AAWOL Program continues to provide a structured in depth study of AA’s 12 Steps to the residents and clients involved in Gavin Foundation’s Programs and anyone else who is in recovery and interested in learning how to apply the Spiritual Principles of the steps in their life. November 2011 AAWOL started its 662nd Men’s Group and the 378th Woman’s Group. Kevin Tobin and Paul Johnson continue to keep the AAWOL Program running smoothly.
If you are interested in chairing, co-chairing or attending an AAWOL Group or know someone who is, you can contact Kevin Tobin or Paul Johnson any Tuesday night around 5:00pm at Gavin House 617 268-5517.
Gavin Foundations Total Immersion Program (TIP), under the direction of Jim Taggart M.Ed., LMHC, continues to evolve and seeks to nurture its existing relationships and develop new ones. TIP has spent the past 4 months examining its role and seeking to find additional ways to further service its partners and constituency. The TIP staff has been resolute in providing a meaningful alternative and diversion to incarceration to its enrollees. Relationships between the courts, the probation department and all other stakeholders are flourishing as they work together to ensure that 2012 will manifest a continuation of the growth and contribution to the treatment community and its individual participants. Of note are the efforts of Lilia O'Donnell, Pam Cornell, Michael Delvecchio, Tom Magnan, John Ashe and Dale McDonnell as well as those of Tom Murphy, Bobby Kelly, and Jill Kronmiller. A special thanks from TIP to Kevin and the facilitators of the AAWOL program for their complementary role in helping participants negotiate the TIP program.
Gavin Foundation employees Ron Jeannetti and Tom Murphy continue to increase their responsibilities with the Massachusetts Parole Board through referrals, trainings and program outreach efforts. Since Gavin Foundation was originally contracted to provide recovery services in July 2010 parolees have been directed to The Center for Recovery Services for individual counseling and case management services. As a result of our collaboration with Region 1 and Region 2 Parole offices positive results have been evident benefiting individuals as well as the community.
Speaking of Christmas, the season of giving …..The Gavin Foundation is blessed with generous Alumni and friends to help us through the holidays. This year we are again asking for your help in providing a nice Christmas for our residents. Here’s the breakdown: Gavin House ~ 30 residents, the Graduate Center ~ 12 Alumni, Cushing House ~ 16 young men, and 14 young ladies at the new adolescent girls program. Our goal each year is to give each resident a gift worth $75. An approximate grand total is $5,400.00 to cover expenses i.e. 72 gifts for our residents, plus cards and Christmas decorations. We really appreciate all that you have done for our residents in the past, but the ghost of Christmas present is staring us in the face and we need your help to make this year special. For many of our residents this is their first sober Christmas and your donation can help us bring a smile to their faces and hope in their hearts. Thank you. Donations can be mailed to:
Gavin Foundation
675 East Fourth Street
P.O. Box E-15
South Boston MA 02127
Open House
You are all invited to participate in our annual holiday Open Houses on Thursday December 22, 2011 at Gavin House and at Cushing House. The festivities at the Gavin House will begin at 4:30pm, and the Cushing House Boys and Girls program events will start at 6:00pm. All of our programs are preparing a bountiful buffet dinner along with an array of desserts, pies, and pastries. Please try to drop by for a bite or a cup of AA coffee. Also, let the children know that Santa is coming to town. Thank you for all your support, prayers, and kindness throughout the year.
