Recovery Community Impact Awards

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Congressman Stephen Lynch and Quincy Mayor Tom Koch

We hosted our 3rd Annual Recovery Month Celebration on September 18th at the IBEW Hall in Dorchester.  Congressman Stephen Lynch presented the Gavin Foundation Recovery Community Impact Award to Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch for his support and dedication to addiction treatment and prevention. Mayor Koch is a true champion of the recovery community so the award was a very large (and heavy!) championship belt.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders and Joanne Peterson, Learn to Cope Founder/Executive Director

Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders presented the Gavin Foundation Recovery Community Impact Award to honoree Joanne Peterson, Learn to Cope Founder/Executive Director, for her leadership and dedication in building support groups for countless families dealing with addiction. Joanne was presented with a map of the Commonwealth customized with pins designating the locations of Learn to Cope meetings around the state.

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Pictured left to right, State Senator John F. Keenan, Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Founder/Executive Director Learn to Cope Joanne Peterson, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, U.S. Congressman Stephen F. Lynch and Gavin Foundation Pres/CEO John P. McGahan.

The program also included remarks from Chuck Monahan of the IBEW Local 103, Fr. Joseph White of St. Joseph’s Church, Patrick Cronin, MOAR Program Coordinator, and John McGahan, President and CEO of the Gavin Foundation. Area Recovery organizations were represented at a dozen resource tables providing information for attendees. We finished the evening with a terrific concert by Grammy Nominee Tom Bell and Bellevue Cadillac. Thank you to all who participated, it was a terrific night.  Photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page.

Join us for a FREE Recovery Month Celebration

Gavin Foundation Recovery Month Flyer 2015 Square VersionPlease join us for a FREE Recovery Month Celebration on September 18, 2015, 6:30-10:00 pm at the IBEW Hall in Dorchester. The Gavin Foundation will present awards to Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch and Learn to Cope Founder and Executive Director Joanne Peterson. We also have Doug Bell and Bellevue Cadillac in concert. Resource tables will have representatives from area recovery groups and organizations. Help us celebrate Recovery, all are welcome!

6:30-7:30 pm FREE Taco Buffet

7:30-8:00 pm  Program

8:00-9:30 pm Bellevue Cadillac Concert

Photo station open all night for free pics and social media sharing!

 

Remembering Johnny Allen

Johnny Gould presents a generous donation to Gavin Foundation Development Director Susan Bradley. Dan Burke displays the custom t-shirt.
Johnny Gould presents a donation to Gavin Foundation Development Director Susan Bradley.
Dan Burke displays the custom t-shirt.

Johnny Gould recently hosted a pool party to benefit the Gavin Foundation in memory of his good friend Johnny Allen. He put the word out about the party and the the response was overwhelming. The t-shirts designed for the event sold out in a flash and friends and family members contributed generously to the fundraiser. Originally from South Boston, and a member of the Pipefitters Union Local 537, Johnny Allen will be missed by his many friends and extended family. Thank you to Johnny Gould and to all who contributed to a terrific day in memory of Johnny Allen.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Phoenix House Pres/CEO Patrick McEneaney, Phoenix House Vice Pres Fred Trapassi, Jr., Gavin Foundation Board Chair Willy Ostiguy, Gavin Foundation Pres/CEO John McGahan, Phoenix House Chair/BOD Sheri Sweitzer, Phoenix House Board Member Dan Jaehning, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Sen. John F. Keenan, MA DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel, Norfolk County Sheriff' Michael Bellotti
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY PHOENIX HOUSE QUINCY Phoenix House Pres/CEO Patrick McEneaney, Phoenix House Vice Pres Fred Trapassi, Jr., Gavin Foundation Board Chair Willy Ostiguy, Gavin Foundation Pres/CEO John McGahan, Phoenix House Chair/BOD Sheri Sweitzer, Phoenix House Board Member Dan Jaehning, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Sen. John F. Keenan, MA DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel, Norfolk County Sheriff’ Michael Bellotti

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, state Senator John Keenan, D-Quincy, and Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and were  guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Phoenix House Quincy, a partnership between the Gavin Foundation and Phoenix House. Photos of the day available on the Gavin Foundation Facebook page.

Gavin Foundation President/CEO John P. McGahan remarks:
We are here to celebrate the opening of Phoenix House Intensive Treatment Services. It is clear that the Administration is taking the opiate epidemic seriously – it wasn’t just a campaign stump speech – Gov. Baker quietly visited our recovery center pre- election and has shown an ongoing commitment through the development of the Opiate Working Group. We look forward to working with his team and Commissioner Barelle to implement the changes needed to effectively address this crisis for the families struggling with this disease of addiction. In fact Lt. Gov. Polito attended Gavin Foundation’s recovery month event, and traveled to Greenfield to hear from providers, court and families. We commend them for their commitment to finding a solution.
The administration cannot do it alone, they need partners and allies in the legislature in order to make thing happen. Senator Keenan has been a real leader on this issue as Chairman of SA/MH committee and now as Chair of Public Health committee.  He has filed numerous bills to address this crisis and is a leader in every sense of the word.
We would not be celebrating the opening here today without the courageous leadership of Mayor Koch.  He understands the needs of this community and was willing to embrace Phoenix House and the Gavin Foundation in order to ensure these life-saving and life-changing services are available for folks of Quincy and this region.
Thank you to our political leaders who have appeared today, along with Sheriff Bellotti and DA Morrissey. Thank you to Congressman Lynch, who is a strong supporter of this program, and is in Washington advocating constantly for treatment services. Thank you to the Gavin Foundation Board of Directors for their willingness once again to expand services to meet the growing needs of families struggling with the disease of addiction. Thank you to the staff, and thank you to the community for entrusting us with this important mission.
Gavin Foundation is proud to partner with Phoenix House to provide these vital services – both agencies have a rich history and commitment to serving this population.  We are committed to making Phoenix House Intensive Treatment Services – this facility- a model program.

DLO Golf Registration Open

Registration has officially opened for the 9th Annual Dorsey-Leary Open for both players and sponsors. The golf tournament will be held on Friday, September 11, at the William Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park. All proceeds will be donated to the Cushing Houses and William J. Ostiguy High School to support their commitment to adolescents in recovery. Learn more about the 9th Annual Dorsey-Leary Open and how to register here.