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MAHONING COUNTY HARM REDUCTION OUTREACH

Hope joined the fight hosting Mahoning County's first Annual International Overdose Awareness Day Event in August, 2015 following the overdose death of her daughter's friend in April of 2015. It was ruled a heroin overdose. During this same time Hope's step-daughter, Jody, was struggling with her 2-decade long battle with Substance Use Disorder. After meeting the parents of Donnie and having his father speak at OhioCAN Mahoning's first event, Hope felt the need to Embrace, Educate and Empower those living in Mahoning County who, too, were struggling with the shame and stigma felt nationwide. In was in December of 2018 after a long and courageous battle with substance use disorder, Hope lost her step-daughter Jody due to a fentanyl overdose. The fight continues for Hope as she advocates for people who use drugs, especially harm reduction initiatives. She actively distributes Narcan, the drug which reverses an overdose due to opiates/narcotics. She has seen firsthand the devastation and destruction endured by loved ones, families and the communities. This fuels her desire to continue to fight and help bring attention to this horrific health crisis.
Hope has represented OhioCAN at various public forums and community events locally and nationally, including the Fed Up Rallies and March on the White House. She was also there the day "The Day the Silence Ended" attending the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally in Washington DC. Hope is involved with The Coalition For A Drug Free Mahoning County, MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) Coalition, Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition and The Opiate HUB. In addition, she is very involved with the recovery community providing numerous recovery support services while continuing to expand the resources. Hope understands that recovery is a lifelong process and as such will require different types of support along the way. She hopes with the support of local volunteers and the community, to continue providing that additional support. OhioCAN Mahoning County has hosted several events such as Steps of Change and Overdose Awareness Day. Hope has attended various public forums and community events. She has seen firsthand the devastation and destruction suffered by loved ones and the community which only fuels her desire to continue to fight on and help bring an end to this horrific health crisis.Hope, a Licensed Massage Therapist in private practice for 24 years and lives in Youngstown. She is Mom to 3 grown children, is the proud Gramma of 3 and lives in Youngstown Ohio.

Mahoning County Harm Reduction Outreach

We promote evidence-based harm reduction methods endorsed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Harm reduction entails engaging in activities to prevent overdoses, improve the overall health of individuals impacted by substance use, and facilitate easier access to effective recovery programs and other health care services. It is our aim to keep them alive and prevent them from hitting rock bottom, which is often death. We strive to be a continual source of support for individuals impacted by substance use, as we know that recovery is an ongoing process, and we are always there to help.

Steps of Change

Families and those impacted by addiction will participate in our annual “Steps of Change” to Educate, Empower and Embrace those living with substance use. They will bring attention to the shame and stigma associated with substance use, while advocating for more evidence based-practices and treatment. Local counties will host Steps of Change events, which include a variety of activities including walks, runs, ceremonies, health fairs, and balloon releases. Each county's program is different. Most groups will stage “Walk a Mile in my Shoes,” in which family members display a pair of shoes of those who continue to struggle or who have passed from the disease of addiction. The public is invited and children are encouraged to come!!

Overdose Awareness Day

Overdose Awareness Day has been a key remembrance event for those who have died from fatal drug overdoses since 2001. On August 31 thousands of people worldwide will stand beside the friends and families of fatal overdose victims to reflect on their losses. The event intends to reinforce the idea that no one need feel shame or disgrace at the death of someone from drug overdose.
As Hope states, "This is for those in recovery with children at home giving them an opportunity to receive a small paycheck for the huge job they do 24/7, 365 days a year maintaining and working their recovery." Donations are collected from the community, individuals who care deeply about recovery, who understand the day to day struggles and acknowledge the hard work required. It is from people wanting to help and support recovery. Christmas in Recovery is much more than parents giving gifts to their children at Christmas. Hope accompanies each person to the department stores, giving them their allotted "paycheck" and they each do their individual shopping for their child(ren), budgeting the amount earned and paying for their gifts at the cash register. They are truly touched by the kindness and generosity of the community. They express how much it means to them to have their hard work toward recovery acknowledged and recognized and consider this opportunity to purchase gifts as earned, not given. It brings a real sense of accomplishment and more importantly, pride, because they are able to provide for their children through their own personal efforts. It puts the positive choice and power in their hands. It's about healing families and rebuilding relationships. It's telling those in recovery "We see you and we are so proud of the daily work you do not only for you, but for your family." If you would like to donate to Christmas in Recovery or volunteer to assist with the shopping or transportation, please reach out to Hopeanne and she will provide you will all the details.