Portage Area Recovery Center - PARC

07/08/2020

Happy Wednesday everyone!

So, things have come back to sense of "normalcy" here at PARC. One of the unfortunate things that came out of the societal shut down was the amount of relapse/overdose deaths. Sometimes it's hard to realize how much you need the fellowship/social connection until its gone. No matter what is happening in the world, don't give up. There is help, there is support, there are people who are feeling the way you are feeling who need to talk as well. How we communicate may look different, it may feel different, but there is value in all of the ways we connect. The world is a strange place right now but that doesn't mean there isn't something good or even better on the other side of it. The most important changes we have seen in the world have come from turmoil, from turning the dial to 11 and being loud and in your face. It is uncomfortable, but we change when we're uncomfortable. Don't give up. Don't ever give up.

06/01/2020

Hello everyone!

We are currently looking for advocates! Anyone interested in part-time (20 hours or less) employment, please go to the Family & Community Services Website and fill out an application! We are primarily looking for second and third shift at this time. Second shift is 4pm to midnight and 3rd shift is midnight to 8am. If you want more information about what The position entails, feel free to message me or call 330.474.3188

04/21/2020

Good Afternoon!
It has certainly been a minute since I have posted anything. As for most of you, the initial changes to life in response to COVID-19 were, in a word, challenging. However, the residents have made the best of a scary situation that has significantly reduced their ability to leave and get sober support in the ways they are accustomed. So, all in all, things have been pretty positive around here!

This post is about my staff. We are considered "essential" and we are a program that is staffed 24 hours. I just wanted to take a moment to thank my staff for the amazing job they are doing during all of this. They are all coming to work, helping to keep the building sanitized and cleaned, coming up with activities for the residents to help them stay engaged and positive, and not ONE of them, has complained about continuing to come to the building to serve these women. Not ONE. That is pretty amazing. I don't know if all of them would want their full names on here so I will just post first names:

My profound thanks and immeasurable gratitude to:

Jordyn
Nicole
Ashlee
Ashley
Jen
Claire
Madison
and Amanda

To all of them and all of you... we will get through this and we will be better for having gone through it.

03/19/2020

03/17/2020

Hello everyone!

We hope everyone is staying healthy and that everyone is following the protocols to keep everyone safe. Regardless of personal opinions about COVID-19, the more we follow suggestion, the faster things return to normal. To that end, PARC is suspending all visits to the building. Sadly, this includes sponsors and any in-house meetings or groups. For the former residents who are sponsoring, I'm sorry but this means you, too. So, please utilize Face time or other creative means to continue your work with your sponsees. Give them lots of homework to do because they are going to need to use their time on "lock down" to keep their recovery a priority. Residents of PARC are also not allowed to take passes off the premises or go out with sponsors or to meetings at this time. Believe me, this was not an easy decision to make. We appreciate all who are sharing in-person meeting alternatives.

I am also asking people to keep in mind that incidences of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, and substance use will all likely increase during this crisis. When people feel out of control and afraid, these issues among many others are the unfortunate by product.

But lets also remember that when human beings face crisis, it can also bring out the best in us. Fear can be a wonderfully motivational emotion. Hopefully, we see our best and not our worst. I am very proud of how the residents at PARC are handling this situation. The thing about having been an addict is that they have been in crisis most of their lives. So, they are well prepared! Really, they have been great and helpful with each other and it's beautiful to see.

My staff. I don't know how to thank them enough. They are coming to work, they aren't complaining, and they remain committed to making sure our residents are taken care of. THANK YOU!

And finally, I want to give a shout out of appreciation to Family & Community Services, Inc., our parent agency, for how well they are handling an enormous staff and many 24 hour programs that don't have the ability to just "shut down".

Thanks for reading everyone! Please be safe and stay healthy!

03/17/2020

At Family and Community Services Inc, we continue to monitor the development and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to continue to keep the community up-to-date on program updates and changes without overwhelming you with too much superfluous information. F&CS provides services such as food, shelter, transportation, and counseling services. These are all very important services that cannot be ignored. We are here for our community. Please take a look at our Portage county Resource Card at
https://fcsserves.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FCS-Street-Card-2.pdf.
Thank you and Go Forth Do Good.

02/25/2020

So, I just got called out. Rightfully so in many ways. A former resident who read my last post about women supporting women read it in a way I did not intend it, but I should be more thoughtful about how things I post can be interpreted. So, allow me to clarify:

I in no way meant my last post to be pointed at any of the women who have tirelessly reached out and have been here for the women at PARC many times over. I have so many former residents that are doing amazingly well and are always willing to sponsor the women here, take them to meetings, etc. Let me also reiterate that the women here mostly seek male attention in the rooms and then fall back on the whole "women are petty" and "I don't get along with females", etc.

There are amazing women in recovery in our community. And it is absolutely up to the women new to that community to seek them out.

What I will stand by is the fact that women need the support of other women. It is true that there have been struggles to find female support for some of the women here. And I also continue to ask the men in the rooms to encourage women to seek the help of other women.

But, thank you to the person that called me out. I need that more often than I like to admit. And, I absolutely LOVE when my former residents feel comfortable enough with me to make a special trip here just to tell me about myself! That wasn't sarcastic. I really do!

02/19/2020

Good Morning!

I haven't posted in a while so I wanted to take some time and put some things out there. I was having a discussion with one of my advocates just now about the difficult time the women here have finding other women in the program to sponsor them. Most of the women here do AA or NA so I'm speaking strictly about the philosophies of that program. I have heard the residents here say many times that they "don't like women", "don't trust women", and think women are "petty". I cannot tell you how much that hurts my heart. I have the most amazing group of women in my life (no, I am not a person in recovery) and I cannot imagine a single day without them. I have seen that it is difficult for them to find female sponsors and women who are willing to provide rides to meetings, etc. Now, to be fair, they aren't always seeking the women in the rooms before they are seeking the men in the rooms. So, we try to help them see the importance of female support. However, female support does seem to be harder for them to find. I guess what I'm trying to put out there is a call to the women in recovery to be more visible and in some cases willing. And, a call to the men to encourage women to seek female support. I realize that this is VERY "gender rigid" if you will and I don't mean it to be. I'm just speaking about what I see here. These women need the support of other women who show them what recovery looks like for a woman.

01/27/2020

Good morning to all!

This month has been a bit hectic so I haven't been posting. However, I wanted to take some time out to thank everyone that has "liked" our page and is supporting us! It means so much that our community (and Facebook Land) shows such support for our residents and the program.
I would like to ask that everyone take a moment today to post something positive on their pages. Something encouraging or empowering for someone (anyone) who might be struggling today and may need to see it. There is so much negativity on social media. There are so many disparaging things posted especially about people who struggle with addiction. And, while I see many positive things as well, I think it's nice once in a while to flood Facebook and all social media with positive things. I'm not always good about it myself to be sure. You just never know when someone really needs encouragement. Today might be the day that your post makes all the difference to someone who doesn't see hope or purpose.

So, go forth and spread some positivity! And, if social media is not how you choose to express yourself, then call someone (don't text if you can help it) and tell them you love them, or you're proud of them, or you support them. We should all do this more often.

Thank you!

01/08/2020

I also wanted to add to my post from yesterday that there is no time limit for how long a resident can stay at PARC. They can stay as a long as needed to achieve their goals. This is one of the unique features of this program. Most programs (mostly out of necessity and/ or because of the type of program it is i.e. treatment facilities that have to have a time limit) have an end date built in. We do not. Also, we do not accept private insurance or cash payments but do accept Medicaid.

I told you, there is a lot to tell! So, please call with any questions! I am also happy to speak to groups about whatever subject related to PARC or addiction treatment or services you’d like. Thanks again!

01/07/2020

Hello everyone!

I wanted to give some information about the program that might be helpful for someone who is struggling. While most of the women who come here are court ordered, that is not a criteria for admission. If you know someone who may be struggling and who has at least 30 days clean but not a safe place to be to start building their life in sobriety, PARC may be the place for them. Please have them call 330.474.3188 and I can answer any questions and/or set up an assessment time. If PARC is not the best fit for them, I will make sure they leave with referrals. The program is a lot to explain but here are some answers to FAQ's:

1. PARC is a renovated apartment building. Residents do not occupy an entire apartment but they do have their own bedroom. They will share a kitchen and bathroom with one other person.

2. There is a level system. Most will come in on an orientation or "restricted level" meaning that they have to go off site with staff only for 45 days. After that, the levels increase the amount of time and ability residents have to do things on their own.

3. Residents are able to work while they are here.

4. Residents can have vehicles here as long as they are properly updated with all registration, license, and insurance.

5. Residents are not able to have their children live here with them but children and other approved people can come see them before they get passes off site. .

6. We have staff here 24 hours a day, the building is monitored by cameras on the exterior and interior (not in the apartment areas but in the hallways), and people have to be "buzzed in" to enter the building.

So, if this sounds like something you or someone you know may need, please have them call 330.474.3188.

Have an amazing day!

12/28/2019

Good morning! As we approach the new year, I wanted to take a moment to talk to those who are still in active addiction. I have been doing this work a long time. My entire counseling career has been dedicated to working with substance using people. One thing that i believe (and i have no research to cite to back this up but I’m sure there is some) is that when you are thinking of using, it’s not the drug you want. You have a need that isn’t being fulfilled. You need something that you think the drug gives you but it always leaves you more empty and needing more than you did before you used. You have a need in your life and you just don’t know any other options. My hope for you going into this next year is that you focus on your needs. Find the things that fill you with what you feel you are lacking. That is when you will realize how little the drug has done for you. We have seen what happens when people stop using the drug and meet their needs in a healthier way. It’s beautiful and there is a peace and serenity that i promise you, you will never find in your drug. Please, just try something different. Consider that life can be better and that you can get what you need. You have given everything to your drugs, try to give even half of that to recovery and just see what that feels like. We, at PARC, wish for you to find the peace that we have seen in those who have chosen to try something different. Happy New Year to all. When you’re ready, we are here for you.