Fostering hope

HOPE in Fostoria is set to host several events for addiction recovery and awareness. HOPE, which stands for Heroin Opioid Prevention Epidemic, is a relatively new community prevention coalition. It was formed in 2017 by 13 people who are community leaders and concerned citizens. "It started with a volunteer board and members. Then we hired staff," said HOPE Director Shelly Biggert. She added that the goal of the coalition when it began was to prevent overdose deaths but it expanded to address substance abuse and mental health issues. "The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board reached out to us and we were interested in expanding our programs," she continued. HOPE has also established a relationship with Fostoria Kiwanis Club and United Way of Fostoria. It works with these partners to raise awareness about addiction, identify critical gaps, draw educational and treatment resources to Fostoria and to coordinate related programs, initiatives, activities and events. The coalition also focuses on breaking down the stigma and help to create a healthier and happier community. Although HOPE is based in Fostoria it serves all of Seneca County. The programs it has available are CARSA, Drug Free Clubs of America and Lotus Recovery House. CARSA is the Community Action for Reducing Substance Abuse coaltion in Seneca County. It oversees HOPE's comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse in the county. HOPE works with Fostoria City Schools to promote Drug Free Clubs of America, which rewards drug free students and provides members with tools to protect them in the face of peer pressure. Lotus Recovery House is a women's recovery house in Tiffin that aims to provide long-term housing, employment, social and peer support for women in recovery. HOPE also oversees the Suicide Prevention Coalition which aims to educate the community about mental health, suicide prevention and resources. The first upcoming event is the observation of International Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The event will be from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at A Little Faith Ministries, 230 S. Washington St., Tiffin. "We will have Deterra bags (bags for the proper disposal of prescription drugs), community resource information and Narcan will be available. We will also release purple environmentally safe balloons in memory and awareness," said HOPE Recovery Coordinator and Lotus Recovery House Manager Stephanie Churella. HOPE is partnering with FACTOR support group and A Little Faith Ministries for this event. It will also be hosting its first annual Walk for Recovery in Tiffin and Fostoria. The Fostoria walk will be from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Sept. 10 in downtown Fostoria. The event will feature food trucks, raffle prizes, mental health and addiction resources, treatment options and guest and recovery speakers. Initially, only the first 100 people to register were to get a free t-shirt. However, Churella said the event registration became so popular that HOPE will now offer free t-shirts to everyone. Tiffin's Walk for Recovery will be 4 – 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Hedges Boyer Park's stage area, 491 Coe St. It will also feature food trucks, raffle prizes, mental health and addiction resources, treatment options and guest and recovery speakers. "We reached out to SCAT to transport people from Tiffin to Fostoria and back for free. They will also provide transportation for the Tiffin walk," Churella said. She also mentioned there will be materials available for people to make signs about their recovery or for someone they love in recovery. "Everyone wants to be involved. There really is a sense of unity," she said. To register for the walks, you can visit www.hopeinfostoria.com For questions and more information, you can visit their website, call 419-934-3540 or email at info@hopeinfostoria.com. HOPE in Fostoria is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.