The Surrender Room

08/06/2026

To Riverbend and Recovery Cafe Haverhill

I am writing to express my deep disappointment and hurt regarding the way I was treated by your organization and the decision to remove my son's name from work that was intended to honor his memory.

After my son died from an overdose, I chose to channel my grieving into helping others. I opened a Recovery Cafe in Haverhill Massachusetts with the hope that no other family would have to experience the pain that mine has endured when your organization approach me about partnering together, I believed we share the same mission to support people in recovery. We do stigma and honor the lives of those affected by Addiction.

Instead, I was asked to leave the partnership, and my son's name was removed. That decision was incredibly painful. It felt as though his memory and the work I had started and work we had done together were erased without respect or acknowledgment. As his mother, I cannot adequately express the pain that caused.

What makes this even more difficult is seeing your organization now Host awareness events while never acknowledging what happened or the way I was treated. Raising awareness about overdose should be rooted in honesty, compassion, and respect for the families who have lived thru these tragedies. Those values were not reflected in how I or my son's legacy were handled.

This letter is not about creating conflict. It is about accountability, integrity, and respect. My son's life mattered ! Removing his name and excluding me from the mission I started and help you build has left lasting emotional wounds.

I ask that your organization acknowledge the harm that was done and reflect on whether your actions align with the values you promote publicly. Organizations dedicated to recovery and overdose awareness have a responsibility not only to serve the community but also to treat grieving families with dignity, honesty, and compassion.

I remain committed to honoring my son's memory by continuing to advocate for recovery, overdose awareness, and Hope for others. Nothing that has happened will change that commitment !!

I hope you will take the opportunity to consider the impact your decisions have had and choose a path of accountability and respect moving forward.

Sincerely
Rayray Forever 29 Mom 💜💜💜

Diana Teel

08/06/2026

To Riverbend and Recovery Cafe Haverhill

I am writing to express my deep disappointment and hurt regarding the way I was treated by your organization and the decision to remove my son's name from work that was intended to honor his memory.

After my son died from an overdose, I chose to channel my grieving into helping others. I opened a Recovery Cafe in Haverhill Massachusetts with the hope that no other family would have to experience the pain that mine has endured when your organization approach me about partnering together, I believed we share the same mission to support people in recovery. We do stigma and honor the lives of those affected by Addiction.

Instead, I was asked to leave the partnership, and my son's name was removed. That decision was incredibly painful. It felt as though his memory and the work I had started and work we had done together were erased without respect or acknowledgment. As his mother, I cannot adequately express the pain that caused.

What makes this even more difficult is seeing your organization now Host awareness events while never acknowledging what happened or the way I was treated. Raising awareness about overdose should be rooted in honesty, compassion, and respect for the families who have lived thru these tragedies. Those values were not reflected in how I or my son's legacy were handled.

This letter is not about creating conflict. It is about accountability, integrity, and respect. My son's life mattered ! Removing his name and excluding me from the mission I started and help you build has left lasting emotional wounds.

I ask that your organization acknowledge the harm that was done and reflect on whether your actions align with the values you promote publicly. Organizations dedicated to recovery and overdose awareness have a responsibility not only to serve the community but also to treat grieving families with dignity, honesty, and compassion.

I remain committed to honoring my son's memory by continuing to advocate for recovery, overdose awareness, and Hope for others. Nothing that has happened will change that commitment !!

I hope you will take the opportunity to consider the impact your decisions have had and choose a path of accountability and respect moving forward.

Sincerely
Rayray Forever 29 Mom 💜💜💜

Diana Teel

07/10/2026

I want to speak openly about something painful that happened. After my son passed away, I created Ray of Light Recovery Café to honor him and support people in recovery.

An organization,Riverbend, approached me with interest in coming to Haverhill. They offered to collaborate on grants and build a café together. I believed in the mission, so I shared all my resources, my experience, and eventually closed my own café to focus on the joint project.

Once everything was established, I was unexpectedly asked to leave. The café’s name—originally dedicated to my son—was changed, and I was removed from the work I helped build.

I’m sharing this not out of anger, but because people deserve to know how things unfolded. My heart has always been with the recovery community, and I will continue to support it in ways that honor my son and the values I started with.

We served Haverhill well on Founder's day as we do with a Big free BBQ Saturday at GAR park and we have been out there Tuesday nights for Celebrate Recovery as it goes into its 10th year of serving the community of Haverhill.

They can take away the building but the light that shines for Ray of light recovery cafe is still bright with everyone, coming together strong, we will prevail.

Yours in Service Always

Diana

07/10/2026

Ray Of Light
Celebrate Recovery GAR Park Tuesdays

07/04/2026

The Original Ray of Light Crew

06/23/2026

I want to share my experience with an organization, called Riverbend, I partnered with to bring a recovery café to Haverhill. After losing my son, I founded Ray of Light Recovery Café in his honor. When this organization approached me, they offered to collaborate on grants and expand into Haverhill. I invested my time, resources, and ultimately closed my own café to support the joint effort.

After everything was built, I was asked to leave, and the café—originally named after my son—was renamed without my involvement.

I’m sharing this because transparency matters. My intention was always to serve the recovery community with love, integrity, and purpose. I hope my story helps others protect their work, their grief, and their mission.

06/23/2026

Riverbend Shows Who They Are

I want to share my experience with an organization, called Riverbend,

I partnered with to bring a recovery café to Haverhill. After losing my son, I founded Ray of Light Recovery Café in his honor. When this organization approached me, they offered to collaborate on grants and they could expand into Haverhill.

I invested my time, resources, and ultimately closed my own café to support the joint effort.

After everything was built, I was asked to leave, and the café—originally named after my son—was renamed without my involvement.
I’m sharing this because transparency matters. My intention was always to serve the recovery community with love, integrity, and purpose. I hope my story helps others protect their work, their grief, and their mission.

02/17/2026

02/17/2026