spring 2019 power-recovery.com

Serving women in recovery since 1991

Although her husband’s heroin addiction ruined their marriage, Anna blamed herself for failing him and their daughter.

“I had the most important job in the world as a mother,” she says. “I thought I blew it.”

She turned to prescription drugs as an escape from her guilt and they became everything in her life. When the pills became too expensive, she turned to heroin. At one point, Anna’s daughter started experimenting with drugs and the whole family was caught in the chaotic throes of addiction.

“We were always fighting,” says Anna. “It was just terrible.”

One day she found her husband dead from a drug overdose. His death was a wake-up call for Anna and she knew she had to take back her life. She began a medically-assisted withdrawal treatment program. Her daughter was also working on her own recovery with the help of a POWER mentor who asked Anna if she would like a mentor too. Anna said “yes.”

“I had no idea what good things that decision would lead to,” she says.

Anna began residential treatment at POWER House. At first she found it difficult to deal with the anxiety of life without drugs, coupled with the guilt and shame she felt about her daughter. But she grew to feel safe and secure and bonded with the other residents who made Anna feel less alone. She also connected with the staff.

“They were wonderful and caring, but tough,” she says. “It was exactly what I needed.”

Anna graduated from POWER House and then completed POWER’s outpatient program. She stayed involved with the mentor who guided her and her daughter through their recovery.

“My mentor taught me to trust again,” she says.

Today with three years in recovery, Anna works as a security officer for a local company along with her daughter. She is grateful for the help they received to change their lives and break the cycle of addiction.

“POWER gave me my life back,” she says.

Anna’s Story

By the numbers...217 women were victims of fatal drug overdoses in Allegheny County last year.

217POWER served nearly 1,500 women last year.

1,500Two out of three families are directly impacted by addiction in the U.S.

2 out of 3

POWER to Add Detox/RehabPOWER was approved by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to create an integrated detox/rehab program, the first of its kind exclusively for women in the region.

“The opioid epidemic has increased the need for this kind of program that will safely manage withdrawal symptoms,” says POWER CEO Rosa Davis. “We want to do everything we can to give women every possible opportunity to build a foundation that will sustain their long-term recovery.”

The program is expected to open in Fall 2019. Our thanks to the S. Kent Rockwell Foundation and the Sarah Kristin Owen Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation for supporting this project.

“ My mentor taught me to trust again.”

Board of DirectorsEmmie Calland, PresidentSherree R. Goldstein, Vice PresidentTina Flowers, SecretaryLisa F. Cole, TreasurerSteven AlschulerJoshua Breslau, PhDStephen G. CarpenterGisele Barreto FettermanJody B. Glance, MDJudith Griggs, PhDJames D. MillerMary PreziosoMargaret SitkoVirginia VolponiMary Catherine WardTim WardJohn Wilds, PhD

Advisory CouncilArthur M. Scully, III, Chair Jan Bleier Paul E. Block Candi Castleberry Singleton Darieth Chisolm Christopher Dunn Dr. Andrea Fox Judge Livingstone M. Johnson Gayle Manning Grant McLaughlin Terry Miller Tom Murphy Boyd Murray Raj Narendran Jan Pagliari Norma Raiff Kristi Rogers Cindy Shapira Mindy Shreve Lora Sigesmund Joy Starzl Jim Turner Dr. Abraham Twerski Mike Walsh, PhD Sheila Washington Brenda Joyce Waters Karen Farmer White Lois R. O’Connor, Emeritus

AdministrationRosa Davis, MSW Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Slagel, PhD Chief Operating Officer

Madelon Edelstone, MEd Associate & Development Director

Lori Presto Chief Financial Officer

Dear Friends,Many of you know that over the summer I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember getting the news over the phone and falling to my knees, incredulous and terrified. After several medical procedures and further testing, my numbness turned to anger. It wasn’t right! I’ve had my fair share of health crises. As someone who rarely asks “why”, I was consumed with it those first couple of months. I knew I didn’t want to go into surgery or begin my chemo journey with so much fear and anger.

By the time I headed into surgery in September, while still fearful, my anger had turned into determination. I spent the summer going to doctors,

submitting to sometimes painful tests, reading everything I could about “my” disease, and talking to and crying with friends and family. Something happened along the way that made an incredible difference in how I felt.

Every single encounter I had in the medical world was reassuring, comforting, and heartening. Appointments were made for me, my car was valet parked at hospitals and medical centers, staff were universally kind and always went above and beyond my expectations. At some point along the way, and with the constant loving support of friends, family, and co-workers, my anger over my situation subsided and I began to feel that I could get through it and be okay. It was then that I began to focus on comparing how well I was being treated as a cancer patient with how those who struggle with the disease of addiction are treated.

I want every woman who seeks our help to feel as welcome, supported and reassured as I did. I want her to trust that everyone at POWER is going to do everything we can to help her begin and sustain her unique recovery journey. I think of it as customer service at the highest level and we will talk about it at every opportunity at POWER. We will settle for nothing less than making sure that each woman knows that she can count on us to always act and behave in a way that helps her determine and achieve her goals.

While my medical journey continues, I’m progressing through it with every confidence that I will continue to lead this fine organization through an unprecedented and exciting period of growth, which you will hear and read more about as we move forward toward realizing our vision of a POWER Campus, where any woman in our region who needs help dealing with addiction can choose treatment and care designed specifically for women. As I always say, I wish POWER was not needed, but, for as long as we are, we will offer each woman who comes to POWER a helping hand as she takes those first tentative steps into her new and brighter future.

Warmly,

Rosa Davis, MSW Chief Executive Officer

POWER welcomes comments and suggestions from our readers. Please send inquiries to:

Mary Ellen Muth Assistant Director of Communications mmuth@power-recovery.com

Design: sjh-design.com

“ I want every woman who seeks our help to feel as welcome, supported and reassured as I did.”

Allies in Addiction Advocacy POWER joined forces with Sojourner House and Familylinks to form the Pennsylvania Treatment Alliance. The alliance was created to positively impact legislation that removes barriers and protects access to addiction treatment for women and families. Rosa Davis with Joann Cyganovich, Executive

Director of Sojourner House, Claire Smyth, Government Relations Coordinator, and Fred Massey, CEO of Familylinks.

Board SpotlightPOWER Board Member John Wilds, PhD, recently retired from the University of Pittsburgh where he served as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Community Relations as part of his distinguished 34-year tenure.

For the last seven years, John has provided expertise and invaluable support as a member of POWER’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Human Resources Committee.

“I’ve been privileged to serve on POWER’s Board and have been impressed by the wonderful work of an incredibly dedicated staff. It’s a good feeling to be part of POWER’s success in helping women achieve and maintain recovery.”

Helping Moms-to-BeBuilding relationships is a central theme in Therapist Rachael Perlick’s work with expectant mothers through POWER’s partnership in Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Perinatal Hope Program.

“It’s imperative to establish trust,” says Rachael. “I don’t want any new mom to feel like she’s being judged.”

In addition to her clients at POWER, Rachael provides counseling to moms-to-be who are struggling with an addiction at AHN-based sites including West Penn, Jefferson, Natrona Heights, and Forbes Hospitals. As a mother herself to a newborn and toddler, she knows the rewards and challenges facing the women she sees.

“I validate how difficult it can be for new mothers, says Rachael. “I want them to know they aren’t alone in feeling that way and that there is support for them.”

By taking small steps, Rachael hopes to make a connection with her clients so they have a better chance for success in their recovery and become the mothers they want to be.

“The women I see are doing this because they love their babies,” she says. “I want them to love themselves too.”

POWER LineOur caring staff help callers access the care they need, when they need it the most at 412.243.8755.

Intake Specialist Sam Colavecchio

Legacy Society

To learn more about planned giving options, contact Madelon Edelstone, Associate & Development Director, at 412-243-7535, ext. 215 or medelstone@power-recovery.com.

I have seen our staff consistently go above and beyond as they work nonstop to save the lives of the women who come to POWER to change their lives. So it was an easy decision for me to become a member of the Legacy Society and make a ‘forever’ donation to ensure that POWER will be here as long as women need our help.

— Olivia Zitelli, Director of Human Resources Olivia recently retired after eight years of service to POWER.

You can be the one to make a difference. Visit power-recovery.com for ways to give.

POWER of One

of POWER clients have children under the age of 18 65%

Patron ($1,000+)Laurie AdamsSteven & Andrea AlschulerAmcom Office SystemsAnonymousAvon Club FoundationBabst CallandValerie & Paul BacharachJan Bamford & Ron TiberioBird-Townley Charitable FoundationMichael. R. BozzoneJody R. Schurman Fund of the Cornell

University FoundationJames D. Darby, Jr.Rosa DavisPatty DevlinVery Reverend Lawrence DiNardoBob & Barb DunkelmanDuquesne UniversityEat n’ Park Hospitality Group Inc.John Connelly & Erin FelixTina & Christopher FlowersFragasso Financial AdvisorsG.C. Murphy Company FoundationGateway RehabGiant Eagle, Inc.Sherree GoldsteinGymkhana GymnasticsJean Haller & Henry Haller, IIIHighmark Blue Cross Blue ShieldHorn CorpHuntington National BankIcon DevelopmentHoward Levin Memorial Fund IncRobert Levin & Kerry BronGayle ManningMassey Charitable TrustJames MillerTom & Mona MurphyNetwork for GoodJudi & Ron OwenJan & Richard PagliariErin Felix & John ConnellyCathy RaphaelRichard King Mellon FoundationShirley RichardsonS. Kent Rockwell FoundationKristi Rogers & Jody SchurmanMary Jeanne Serafin & Nikolyn RoumnRoy A. Hunt FoundationShadyside Presbyterian ChurchSherry ShafferMindy Shreve & Bobby BressEileen SimmonsMargaret SitkoWesley Sowers & Sara HamelSquare CafeStaunton Farm FoundationThe Burke Foundation PartnershipsThe David S. & Karen A. Shapira

FoundationThe Heinz EndowmentsShannon Wilson Charitable Fund of

The Pittsburgh FoundationSharon TomkoDavid TownleyUnited Way of Allegheny CountyUniversity of PittsburghUPMC & UPMC Health PlanVirginia VolponiAlan & Karen WaggonerMary Catherine WardTerry & Timothy WardWaverly Presbyterian ChurchJohn Wilds

Benefactor ($500-$999)Bethel Park PrintingBNY Mellon Community PartnershipJim BowlerJoshua Breslau & Elizabeth MillerEmmie CallandStephen & Dianne CarpenterLisa F. ColeRob & LuAnn CottingtonGen & Hugh DavidsonChris & Barb DunnHans & Leslie FleischnerMarlayna Gehrking

Gordon Food ServiceJulie HeckerDavid KinolDiana & Michael LarsonJohn LovelaceMike & Kerry MadalenaLynn McCarthyGrant & Joyce McLaughlinShirley NovakMary Prezioso & Nicholas PayiavlasAllison PrinceThe Schumacher FamilySoroptimist International of Pittsburgh Inc.Joy StarzlOlivia Zitelli

Friend ($250-$499)Alison & Jim BischoffNeal BrendelAlan & Jane BressJames & Michele BressCharles R. Burke, Jr. FoundationMichele MontagCombined Federal CampaignDennis DaleySharon DelicPhil DiamondBeth DochertyJane M. DudleyMadelon EdelstoneAndrea Fox & Kenneth ThompsonLindsey & William FustosGap Foundation Andrea GeraghtyBetty GinsburgJennifer GreevyAnne-Renee HeningburgDoug & Jen HoersterRosemary HulsmanDiane JohnsonLadies of Charity of the United States

of AmericaLiberty Insurance AgencyLittles ShoesBarbara PareesSuzanne ParksJoani PerriTelecom PioneersLori PrestoDebra Raubenstrauch & Dan MayKPMG Network of WomenNancy RitskoFabio & Karen RubertoPatricia RutledgeLauren Schneider & Dean ThompsonArthur & Debbie ScullyJoel & Debbie SigalWilliam & Jeannette SmithTracey StayduharUBS Financial ServicesUnited Way of Monongalia & Preston

Counties, Inc.Sheila WashingtonMary Lee & Charles Wetmore

Supporter ($100-$249)Deborah Allwine & Bernard NorthKen & Coreen BahneyClaire BarbettiAdam & Liza BaronRonald Basso, Esq.Bryan & Amber BattagliaPaul BlockAnonymousClarence BrennemanCarol R. BrownThomas & Clare ByrnesBYS YogaAmy CaprettoJames P. CassaroG. Reynolds Clark & Linda Walker ClarkKaren ClarkJean ComberJustin CummingsJoann CyganovichLou & Mary D’AngeloJeanine DeBorBill DeWalt & Slyvia KellerMary Diaddigo

Mary DuffyKathi ElliottCarol ElsesserThomas & Elaine FerrenceEileen FreitagRobert & Ellen GarvinKate Scanlan-GiontaCarol Haley-Smith & Ronnie J. SmithChristy HatfieldThe HCA FoundationNora JarvieJessieCo Inc.Amie KeelerDianne KelleherGreg KettemanJacqueline KoscelnikLisa KuzmaJonathan LaychakMary Jo LevineShelby & Russell LivingstonGreer LowryPeter MaddenAnne MadisonRobert MarinCarol S. McCarthyLevana MelamedMichelle Lynn MontagBarbara S. MooreAl & Jeannine MozeykoMSBC Ministerial StaffOpticom ConsultingBoyd S. MurrayMary Ellen MuthRobert & Virginia MuthSharon OreskiCindy W. PastinJim & Carol PlakeHerky & Lisa PollockMiri RabinowitzLeslie ReicherLaurel & David RosenbergMary Louise RouseJudith Ruszkowski & Ken RegalThe Scanlon FamilyThomas SchmidtOlivia SchmidtSherri & David SchuetzRhonda SchuldtLindsay GatesPaul & Nancy ScottDaniel & Karon W. SiewiorekPerry & Lora SigesmundBeth Simon & Robert SnyderSonja SimonsonMarilyn Slagel NovakJoseph SlagelWillie Smith, Jr.Andrea StoneHenry & Hilda SundermannThe Fine FoundationStephanie UlmerSwissvale Women’s GroupJohn & Susan Van CleveAnita VictorCaruso & Weiksnar Family FundWurtemburg United Methodist WomenKaren Zezza

Contributor (up to $99)Lori Abbott & John AmatoAmazon Smile FoundationColleen Amos-MezinzeDan & Anita BarkinPamela BirrCaroline Anne Bozic-HeckmanKaren BrooksPatricia CalabroAnonymousBeth CefarattiThomas & Elizabeth ColePapillon ColemanJoyce D’Antonio & Ken HyreRamona DavisLatika Davis-JonesDollar Bank FoundationBarbara DonehueErika FreibergerKaren HackerAndrea Harkins

Judith HerstineMichael & Mary Ann JacobsFred & Patricia JustKendall KellyMichael KinneRoger & Helen KleinCarl & Elaine KrasikPamela KratzenbergRussel & Patricia KubaGary LewisLiberty Diversified InternationalChristine M. LongTaryn M. MalaviteSophie MalliAnjali MartinRita & Randy MartiniCarolyn Maue & Bryan HuntLois MikusSandra MillerMichelle MorrisShannon MurphyBethann NashWaverly W. NesmithMarsha A. NicholasSusan & Robert NitzbergYvonne NovickOhara Social Fund Brittani R. PapaliaKaren PlavenTony & Judith PreziosoKathleen ReganElizabeth Robbins & Gail A. RobbinsDaniel RosenRebecca & Kevin RoyalLiz SalisburyLinda SandersBarbara SawatisDiane SchiavoSr. Joyce Serratore, S.C.Paula SimonLeslie SlagelDeborah L. SlocumDiane & Robert SnowBrooke SobolakNanette StevensKathy StewartChristine M. & Matthew J. StrombergVirginia SwetlandJack KlemmKaarin A. Van AusdalJean VinskiDeb WasilchakMarvin WedeenJeff Weinberg & Dee WeinbergBarbara WeinerIvan WidomSarah WigginHenry & Sukanya WillisRebecca WimerLynda & Ed WrennJocelyn WrzosekKenneth ZenkevichNancy ZiontsZonta Pittsburgh North Foundation

In Honor of...

Judy AchesonAnonymous

Winifred BagleyGen & Hugh Davidson

Madison BrooksGen & Hugh Davidson

Jessica BurnsGen & Hugh Davidson

Jodi ButlerGen & Hugh Davidson

Karen ClarkJudith Ruszkowski & Ken Regal

Judith DanielsStephanie Ulmer

Genevieve DavidsonKaren & Alan Waggoner

Rosa DavisMadelon EdelstoneSusan & Robert NitzbergMindy J. ShreveMarvin Wedeen

Madelon EdelstoneKaren ClarkRosa DavisBill DeWalt & Slyvia KellerMary Ellen MuthYvonne NovickLori PrestoDebra RaubenstrauchLeslie Slagel

Sherree GoldsteinJean Comber

Patty Himes Gen & Hugh Davidson

Dorothy IngersollBarbara S. Moore

Patty LiljaGen & Hugh Davidson

Theresa MillerAnonymousGen & Hugh Davidson

Lois O’ConnnorKen & Coreen BahneyAlison & Jim BischoffEmmie CallandLois MikusMarsha A. NicholasHenry & Hilda SundermannJean Vinski

Mary PhillipsGen & Hugh Davidson

Mary PreziosoTony & Judith Prezioso

Heather Ritsko-LoughmanNancy Ritsko

Charleen RolandWilliam & Jeannette Smith

Sarah RussellGen & Hugh Davidson

Janett ShaferGen & Hugh Davidson

Mindy Shreve James & Michele BressAlan & Jane BressMadelon EdelstoneAndrea GeraghtyJacqueline KoscelnikMiri RabinowitzNancy Zionts

Mary Ellen TrengaGen & Hugh Davidson

Adeline, Caleb, Jessica & Philip Wrzosek

Jocelyn WrzosekHide Yamatani

Daniel Rosen

In Memory of...

Tyler Frantz Karen ClarkRosa DavisMadelon EdelstoneRussel & Patricia KubaRita and Randy MartiniSandra MillerAl and Jeannine MozeykoMary Ellen MuthLori PrestoMary Louise RouseDiane SchiavoMindy J. ShreveJoseph SlagelMarilyn Slagel NovakBarbara & Jack KlemmAnita VictorOlivia Zitelli

Claire GeraghtyDeborah Allwine & Bernard NorthAllison Prince

Marion HuntIvan Widom

Thelma & Victor NovakShirley Novak

Kara ValcharBrooke Sobolak

Jill Whetzel ClemonsMSBC Ministerial Staff

Thank you for your generous support! Based on gifts received from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.Donor Honor Roll

Please report any errors or omissions to mmuth@power-recovery.com — thank you!

We are fortunate to have great volunteers at POWER who enhance every aspect of our work. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Karen Clark, Volunteer Coordinator, at kclark@power-recovery.com or call 412-243-7535, x214.

Our Volunteers

Harry Beukema, Janet Wood and Mimi Datt of Shadyside Presbyterian Church delivered Valentine’s Day treats to POWER clients.

Jamaica Jones staffs the outpatient and administrative offices reception desk.

Bremacha LaGuerre gives clients and staff chair massages.

Make-up artist Lee Ann Boersma prepares a client for her photo session with photographer Levana Melamed.

Athena’s Fire presented a special holiday concert for POWER residents.

SETpoint Peer Coach Lana Marucci absorbs a strike from a client at a self-defense class led by SETpoint’s Lisa Nakamura.

Sandra Reiman brought holiday gifts from Citizens Bank employees for our clients’ children.

Glenna Clark, of the contemporary dance company FireWALL, teaches dance.

Brenda Horton and Antoinette Carver of Northside Institutional Church brought our clients lunch and holiday gifts.

View more volunteer photos at power-recovery.com

Increase Your Gift on May 7! Critical Needs Alert 2019Be a part of Critical Needs Alert 2019 on May 7 and help women in recovery. The Pittsburgh Foundation is making a partial match so your online donation will go even further. Visit pittsburghgives.org on May 7 and make your gift count for the women of POWER! #OneDay

POWER was highly rated by more than 95%

of clients

95%

The official registration and financial information of Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

7501 Penn Avenue • Suite 8 Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Our Mission Helping women reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction to alcohol and other drugs, and reducing the incidence of addiction in future generations

Benefit POWER while you shop:

localgoodness.com

POWER Welcomes Judge AllenRetired Superior Court Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen of A Second Chance, Inc., spoke to residents of POWER House about legal processes and options including resources for custody matters and expungement of criminal records.

“Judge Allen was great,” says POWER House Resource Coordinator Darlene Bivins. “The women really enjoyed the presentation and the opportunity to ask her questions.”

Our thanks to Judge Allen for giving her time and expertise to the women of POWER.

Honorary Chairs: John and Gisele Fetterman Lieutenant Governor and Second Lady

Emcee: Brenda Waters, KDKA-TV

Auctioneer: Tom Murphy

Special Guests: Cara Sapida, WPXI-TV Natalie Bencivenga, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Seeds of Hope Award Recipient: Karen Hacker, MD, MPH Director, Allegheny County Health Department

Award Presenter: Rich Fitzgerald County Executive

Thursday, May 16, 2019 Nova Place5:30 p.m. VIP Reception begins at 5:15 p.m.

Delicious eats, silent and live auctions, and a special tribute to three POWER alums!RSVP at power-recovery.com

ANIGHTOFHOPE

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