AMICare Benefit - Livengrin Foundation

The Bridge Builder
Giving the Gift
of Recovery for Life
AMICare Benefit
in Chestnut Hill
Livengrin Board Member Allen Toadvine, Esq. and wife Luann
AMICare Founders Ginny and Bruce Murray
Benefit guests Michelle and Dr. Joseph Nejman
Livengrin Board Members Scott Fegley, Esq.
and Pam Janvey chat it up
Kieran McDowell with AMICare Benefit host Fred Holzerman and sister
Ginny Murray
Austelle Foundation Executive Director
Margaret Hunting
AMICare Counselor Chris Francis with Haverford Quality
Investment VP for Business Development Rob Stiles
The McDowell Family: Grant, Zelia, Kieran, and Randy
Learn more about opportunities to give back to Livengrin at www.livengrin.org/donate
The Bridge Builder
The AMICare Team: Jack Otto, Chris Francis, Lead Family Therapist
Dana Cohen and Coordinator Cindy Ryan-Otto
Livengrin Alumni Officer
Tina Barber and Development
Associate Maureen Coulter
Longtime Livengrin supporter Jody Sebben receives anniversary coin
from Livengrin CEO and President Rick Pine
Livengrin Board Member Bruce Murray speaks about the loss
of his son Alex, for whom the AMICare Program is named
Host and Founder of Bowman Properties Richard Snowden talks
with Livengrin Board Member Joe McNally
Rick Pine introduces speaker
Erin Davies
Livengrin Family Therapist Alicia Schreiner-Orr with VP for Business
Development Sue Bright, FRAT’s Bill Brennan and wife Bernadette, and
Livengrin VP for Development Scott Blacker
Learn more about opportunities to give back to Livengrin at www.livengrin.org/donate
Giving the Gift of Recovery for Life
AMICare alumnus Erin Davies gives a moving testimonial for guests
Colgan Foundation Director Flavia Colgan and
fiancé James Mangan
For more information, contact: (215) 638-5200 x 1011
Rick Pine speaks to the crowd about the AMICare Program
Livengrin Major Donor Society
member and volunteer Jody Sebben
AMICare speaker Erin Davies (center) with her brother Sean and
mother Mary Davies
Livengrin Admissions Director Brook Tillman and
Residential Program Director Jack Otto
Scott Blacker with Evan Hilzer, Clinical Manager of Residential Services
Amanda Hilzer, and Debby Salom
Livengrin Foundation • 4833 Hulmeville Road • Bensalem, PA 19020
The Bridge Builder
AMICare Benefit Raises Funds and
Awareness to Treat Addiction in Young Adults
On Saturday, October 24, 2015, Livengrin hosted its firstever AMICare (Alex Murray Intensive Care) Benefit to raise
funds for our innovative program and to promote awareness
of the crisis of addiction among young adults. Real-estate
mogul Richard Snowden of Bowman Properties and his
partner Fred Holzerman welcomed more than 75 attendees
to the event in their beautiful Chestnut Hill home.
Thanks to our hosts, sponsors, alumni, friends, and families,
we were able to exceed our goal, raising more than $50,000
for AMICare—ensuring that thousands of patients ages
18-25 and their families receive effective, specialized
treatment and setting them on the path to happy, purposeful
lives in recovery.
After tragically losing their 25-year old son to the disease of
addiction three years ago, Livengrin Board Member Bruce
Murray and his wife Ginny sought ways to bring meaning to
their loss. They teamed
ensuring that thousands up with Livengrin to
establish the AMICare
of patients ages 18-25
and their families receive Program to fight
the surging epidemic
effective, specialized
of addiction among
treatment
young adults. With
the financial support of the Agnes Varis Charitable Trust,
Livengrin and the Murrays launched AMICare in 2013.
“
In 2011, young adults comprised 33% of Livengrin’s patient
population. Today, that number is 50%—and rising. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently
reported that heroin use has skyrocketed 109% among
18-25 year-olds in the past decade. To meet this growing
need, AMICare provides an additional structured layer
of professional services for these young adults, who have
different treatment needs than their older peers. Different
approaches are attempted, tested, tracked with data and
then adjusted to improve outcomes for these patients. By
doing this, Livengrin identifies best practices to effectively
move young adults away from life-threatening addiction
and move them towards sobriety as they launch their adult
lives— building healthy personal and work relationships,
and becoming productive and stable members of their
communities.
As a result of the AMICare initiative, the percentage of
young adults completing treatment rose from 45% to 75%
in one year, and now stands at 83%. Family participation—
essential for young adults seeking recovery—increased from
77% to 91%.
At the event, guests met Livengrin staff members, who
strive every day to ensure the best care for our youngest and
most vulnerable patients. They heard from Board Members
and supporters, who believe deeply in the mission of the
organization and understand the gravity of the addiction
crisis, especially among young adults. They dabbed their eyes
as they witnessed the testimonials of AMICare Founders
Bruce and Ginny Murray and event co-chairs Randall and
Zelia McDowell, who all lost a son to this disease. They also
listened to the story of Erin Davies, the 23-year old Livengrin
alumni who struggled with heroin for years until she found
AMICare, and now celebrates 15 months of sobriety.
We thank all who came out to support the AMICare Program
and the mission of Livengrin Foundation, and we can’t wait
until next year!
Learn more about opportunities to give back to Livengrin at www.livengrin.org/donate
Giving the Gift of Recovery for Life
For more information, contact: (215) 638-5200 x 1011
U.S. Senator Bob Casey and
U.S. Congressman Bob Brady
Visit Livengrin
Sen. Bob Casey with PA State Rep. Gene
Digirolamo (left) and Board Members Pam Janvey,
Scott Fegley, Esq., and Michael Chapman
Senior U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
conducted a roundtable discussion with
Livengrin Board Members, staff, and
supporters on August 13th at Livengrin’s
residential campus. During the meeting, Casey
listened intently as staff members described the
drug epidemic in Pennsylvania and how they
experience it every day in our program, as well
as their struggles with insurance companies
and trying to keep patients in treatment long
enough to provide effective care. Senator Casey
resolved to look into solutions for the insurance
issues that are plaguing not just Livengrin, but
most behavioral health treatment centers in his
state, and to support our organization so that
we can provide the highest-quality care for our
patients.
New Grants
from
Foundations
Community
Partnership and
The Charter
Foundation
Support Capital
Needs and
Family Services
Congressman Bob Brady with Livengrin CEO
Rick Pine and FRAT’s Dennis Hallion
Casey and fellow Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)
are co-sponsors of a bill titled “Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Our
Seniors Act” that would cut down on painkiller diversion in the Medicare program.
On July 1st, U.S. Congressman Bob Brady (D-PA) toured Livengrin’s residential
facility and learned about our various programs and initiatives. A champion of social
issues throughout his 17-year career in the House of Representatives, Brady pledged
to do whatever he can to assist Livengrin with growing and improving our programs
to ensure that we reach as many families as possible who need our services.
Board Member Donates iPods
Livengrin Board Member Steve Leckerman donated
10 brand-new iPods to be used by residential
patients, which will be pre-loaded with The Big
Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step
literature, as well as prayers, guided meditations, and
self-help resources. Patients will use these during
their personal time to deepen their understanding
Cindy Ryan, AMICare Program and
Livengrin Board Member Steve Leckerman
of themselves and their recovery. Providing patients
with these resources while they are still at Livengrin will enrich their overall treatment
experience. In addition, they will be more likely to seek out these same resources to
aid their recovery in the outside world.
This summer, Livengrin received
grant awards from Foundations
Community Partnership (FCP),
based in Doylestown, Bucks County,
and the Charter Foundation, based
in Wayne, Delaware County. FCP
provided funding for our backup
generator project, which will ensure
patient safety in the event of severe
weather. The Charter Foundation
grant will support Family Services,
which includes counseling and
therapy, support groups, and
educational events and seminars,
all of which help the family to
understand and cope with their
loved one’s illness and empowers
them to take care of themselves,
while also giving them the tools to
support the individual working on
their recovery.
Livengrin Foundation • 4833 Hulmeville Road • Bensalem, PA 19020
The Bridge Builder
Allen Toadvine and Joe McNally
Join Livengrin’s Board of Directors
Prominent family law attorney
Allen Toadvine joined the Livengrin
Board of Directors this past summer,
bringing with him many years of
leadership in the Bucks County
community.
Allen grew up in the same Levittown
neighborhood as fellow Livengrin
Board Member Rob Leipziger,
Allen Toadvine
Founder and President of Rob’s
Automotive & Collision, and former Pennsylvania Governor
Mark Schweiker. He attended St. Michael’s Grade School
and Bishop Egan High School before moving on to Catholic
University in Washington, D.C., where he was a top student
and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. Knowing law
was in his future, Allen then earned his J.D. from Villanova
Law School.
While attending Villanova, lawmakers in Pennsylvania
revamped the state’s Divorce Code, which Allen studied
extensively. This was to Allen’s advantage once he entered
the profession, as he quickly landed a position in the legal
field after graduation focusing on the field of family law.
Within a few years, Allen rose to become a partner at the
growing firm of Marte and Toadvine in Langhorne, PA,
where he became a well-known family law attorney. He also
devotes a substantial part of his practice to municipal law
and zoning/land use. Allen has served as the solicitor for
several Bucks County municipalities and zoning hearing
boards. He brings to Livengrin over 36 years of knowledge
in many areas that can help Livengrin better serve the greater
community. In addition to his membership on the Livengrin
Board, Allen also serves on the board of Middletown
Community Foundation.
“I believe in Livengrin’s great work in the community,” he
said, “I want to help out in any way I can because I’ve seen
how this organization helps families in my practice.”
TD Bank Vice President and
Relationship Manager Joe McNally
grew up in Northeast Philadelphia
in a middle-class family as the oldest
of three children. Starting at the age
of 13, Joe worked continuously to
save up for college, as his parents
greatly valued hard work and
education. He went on to graduate
from Temple University with a B.S.
Joe McNally
in Mathematics. During his summer
and winter breaks Joe worked for IBEW Union installing
cable wiring. During the mid-2000’s, Joe met and married
his wife Susan, a professional hair stylist. They have three
children ages six, four, and two.
Joe is a Senior Commercial Relationship Manager with TD
Bank, providing commercial mortgages, working capital
lines of credit, equipment loans, and leases and revolvers
to community-size businesses in the Bucks County and
Greater Philadelphia markets.
“I see my most important role as being a trusted advisor
to my clients and to deliver one bank through my role and
through my many business partners at TD Bank. Those
partners include TD Treasury Management, TD Wealth, TD
Equipment Finance, and TD Auto Finance,” Joe explained.
Joe brings to Livengrin a wealth of experience in banking
and finance and serves as an advisor to the Board in these
diverse matters.
“I’m very excited to be part of an organization that serves
such an important need in the community. Addiction
doesn’t discriminate and impacts people of all backgrounds.
Livengrin and its various programs provide solutions
for individuals and families suffering from the disease of
addiction. I’m glad that I will be able to contribute in some
way to help this mission,” Joe said.
Learn more about opportunities to give back to Livengrin at www.livengrin.org/donate
Giving the Gift of Recovery for Life
For more information, contact: (215) 638-5200 x 1011
Alumni Spotlight: Liz Russo
This issue, we are featuring a letter from a grateful alumni who is celebrating her 5-year sobriety anniversary in January 2016.
Her story demonstrates the impact that Livengrin has on the lives of patients and families who come through our program.
Dear Livengrin Foundation,
As I near my five-year sober anniversary, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for every moment of my life thanks to my
treatment at Livengrin. I wanted to write and thank you for giving me hope in my darkest time and showing me the way to
build a sober life beyond compare.
January 16, 2011 I entered inpatient in Bensalem. I had spent a year in jail for a second-offense DUI and during my four
years of sentenced parole, I went back to drinking and added two public drunkenness charges to my record, resulting in a
state parole violation. It was either back to jail or go to treatment. I drove myself drunk to rehab with a six-pack in the
trunk, just in case things didn’t work out. I’m lucky it did.
I surrendered. They say you hit bottom when you stop digging, and I was finally ready to give up my shovel. I was
extremely lucky to have a wonderful counselor who I will never forget. She was integral to my recovery and I truly
believe God sent her to me.
I met others who struggled as I did with addiction, and we supported each other on the pathway to recovery. I have stayed
in touch with the majority of those friends I met at Livengrin; some still struggle and some have surpassed their own
expectations to succeed and find joy in life. As patients, we went through a powerful group experience of self-discovery and
personal growth that will always be close to my heart and a reminder of how important sober support and fellowship is in
sustaining recovery.
Today I am physically fit, emotionally healthy, and joyful in recovery. I became a Certified Recovery Specialist to help
others struggling with addiction. With my credentials, personal experience, empathy and compassion, I work in a residential
recovery program and continue to ask God how I may serve others in gratitude. Service is essential for my own sobriety.
I also continue my 15-year stand-up comedy career with hope that being a face and voice in recovery may spark others to
share their own powerful stories. Using my humor to connect with others is a God-given gift that I am now able to use for a
very positive purpose. I am very grateful for that.
Thank you Livengrin Foundation. You have me the gift of hope and along with it the valuable tools
to build a life in recovery and sustain that life with humility, joy and gratitude.
One Day at a Time,
Liz is a stand-up comedienne based in the Lehigh Valley. Her show, “Dry Humor: Standup for Recovery”
will be at Steelstacks in Bethlehem, PA on Wednesday, January 13th at 8pm.
Livengrin Foundation • 4833 Hulmeville Road • Bensalem, PA 19020
4833 Hulmeville Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
Save the Date: Sunday, May 22, 2016
Livengrin is planning our Annual Ride
for Recovery for Sunday, May 22, 2016.
The Ride for Recovery is an annual
motorcycle run and family picnic that
raises proceeds to benefit our patient care
programs and enhance public awareness
for recovery from addiction. Alumni,
family, friends, motorcycle clubs and
community members are all welcome.
This year, we are including a bicycle ride
and 5k race to help us spread the message
and add to the fun!
Produced by the Livengrin Office of Development
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
LANGHORNE, PA
PERMIT #204