Making Cleveland Recovery Ready

← Back to Blog November 21, 2016 by At the Foundation, Events, Health & Human Services
Young People in Recovery Panelists

Last week, we celebrated the work of Young People in Recovery, a national grassroots organization, and New Directions, based here in Northeast Ohio. Both provide life-changing support and treatment for young people dependent on substance use.

Along with the Cuyahoga County Board of Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, we are thrilled to support the launch of new volunteer-led Chapters of Young People in Recovery here in Ohio, which will provide critical access to recovery support services for Cuyahoga County residents.

This newest partnership brings together powerful tools—smartphone app technology from Ascent, with in-person coaching and treatment—to make sure young people and their families have access to the best resources available to promote their recovery and long-term health.

This work fits into our mission to enhance the lives of all Greater Clevelanders and help raise up those most vulnerable in our community. We are proud to have supported New Directions since the early 1980s. Since then we’ve granted nearly $1.7 million dollars to their important efforts.

Kathy Hallissey, our Director of Community-Responsive Grantmaking, introduced a panel of experts (pictured above) to discuss innovative approaches to recovery. The panel included:

  • Justin Luke Riley, the president and CEO of Young People in Recovery, who facilitated the discussion.
  • Michael Matoney, CEO of New Directions, a residential and outpatient treatment program for adolescents, young adults and families with drug and alcohol challenges.
  • Brain Baileys, CEO and founder of Ascent, which helps recovering clients build a foundation for success through technology and person-to-person coaching.
  • William M. Denihan, CEO for the Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County.
  • Crystal Oertle, Drug Addiction Recovery Advocate, and founder of Erase The Shame, dedicated to removing the stigma and shame surrounding addicts.

We believe that innovative, multifaceted solutions will ultimately make the difference in lifting more young people out of the painful world of addiction. We look forward to making Cleveland recovery ready through these new YPR chapters and the ongoing work of New Directions and Ascent!