Summer/Fall 2014

summer/fall 2014
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Alice
Success Story
Alice says she was blindsided by addiction. “I’d been to college,” she says. “I was
a nurse. I had a family. I thought I was OK.” But while she was grieving the end
of a relationship, someone told her, “Try this”, and she did. It was cocaine. From
there her life went into a downward spiral that lasted 14 years.
Alice tried to drink and use cocaine socially, but realizes now she was hooked
from the start. “I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t stop using or be a good
mother or show up for work on time.”
She did things she never thought she’d do, like leaving her children alone. “I can’t
even tell you the guilt and shame around that,” Alice says. “All I ever wanted was
to be a good mother.”
A couple of times Alice stopped using on her own. It didn’t last. As she says,
“You can’t kick this with willpower.” Her children were taken away, she lost
her job, and hopelessness set in. “I stopped caring and was on a path to
self-destruction.”
Then one day Alice ran into a woman she knew, an addict, who looked
wonderful. The woman said, “I’m at a place called POWER.”
Now in its sixth year, Sunflower
POWER, a celebration of National
Recovery Month, will have a
new theme.
This year’s Honorary Chair, artist Michael
Lotenero, suggested that POWER recruit
area artists to use pillows as blank
canvasses for their work. To date, over
30 artists are doing just that, and we
expect that our Pillows for POWER
auction and sale will boast close to 50
pillows by the evening of the event —
Wednesday, September 10!
Continued on Page 3
So Alice decided to go to rehab and afterward asked to be referred to POWER
House. She says the House is “unique among anything Pittsburgh has to offer”
and that during her stay she was “reborn”.
It wasn’t without struggle. “[I thought] I’d pull it together because I was that
intelligent. But addiction has nothing to do with intelligence.”
POWER staff helped her work through her guilt about her children, showing her it
was the disease of addiction that kept her from being the mom she wanted to be.
The key to her recovery, Alice says, is having loving and caring women around her.
“Addiction robs you of self-esteem. There is a lot of love in that building.”
Today Alice has 10 years clean. She has been reunited with her children, works
in a drug treatment program, and is raising her 15-year-old granddaughter.
And each year on her clean date, she calls POWER House to say thank you.
“I’m a miracle,” Alice says, “and I want others to know they’re miracles too.”
Michael Lotenero & Perry Sigesmund
Board of Directors
Erin M. Felix, President
Sherree R. Goldstein, Vice President
Susan S. Everingham, Secretary
Eileen Simmons, Treasurer
Jan Bamford
Tina Flowers
Judith Griggs, PhD
Christine Hoover
Nancy Kurdyla
Judith R. Owen
Mary Prezioso
Margaret Sitko
John Wilds, PhD
Roger Yost
Advisory Council
Arthur M. Scully, III, Chair
Jan Bleier
Paul E. Block
Darieth Chisolm
Christopher Dunn
Dr. Andrea Fox
Judge Livingstone M. Johnson
Gayle Manning
Grant McLaughlin
Terry Miller
Tom Murphy
Boyd Murray
Raj Narendran
Jan Pagliari
Norma Raiff
Kristi Rogers
Cindy Shapira Mindy Shreve
Lora Sigesmund
Joy Starzl
Jim Turner
Dr. Abraham Twerski
Virginia Volponi
Mike Walsh, PhD
Sheila Washington
Brenda Joyce Waters
Karen Farmer White
Lois R. O’Connor, Emeritus
Administration
dear friends,
When I sat down to write this message, I took to my favorite quotation
books and Pinterest boards in search of inspiration. One phrase repeatedly
appeared: “Bloom where you’re planted.”
I loved the image the quote conjured up in my mind: of a plant so hardy and
robust that it not only grew, but flourished, in any environment — much like the
strong, beautiful, and resilient sunflowers that have come to symbolize POWER.
The phrase seems particularly relevant to POWER now, as we are celebrating our purchase of
POWER House, our residential treatment site in Swissvale. Since POWER opened in 1991, we
have been “planted” in the former St. Anselm convent, owned by Word of God parish. After two
decades of renting the space and forming strong relationships in the local community, we were
honored when Word of God offered to sell us the building for the cost of two years’ rent.
On July 2, 2014, POWER became the proud owners of POWER House, and with ownership
comes an opportunity to “bloom” — without the financial burden of rent, POWER is positioned to
focus more energy and resources on delivering quality services, making improvements to the
House, and ensuring that each woman who walks through the POWER House doors has the
opportunity to thrive while she works hard to reclaim her life from the disease of addiction.
We are so thankful to the Board and Advisory Council for their wise leadership, staff members for
their patience and diligence throughout the process, Word of God pastor and parishioners for their
faith in us as a positive and permanent neighbor, and to Maggie Sitko and Patrick Sweeney of Sitko
& Bruno LLC, who offered invaluable pro bono legal guidance.
And thank you to our donors, volunteers, and other supporters who have helped us grow and
bloom for more than 22 years!
Rosa Davis, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Rosa Davis, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Diane Johnson, RN, BSN
Associate & Clinical Director
Madelon Edelstone, MEd
Associate & Development Director
Debra Raubenstrauch, MPM
Director of Finance & Operations
Olivia Zitelli, MSW, SPHR
Director of Human Resources, HR-C
POWER welcomes questions, comments,
and suggestions from our readers
about programs, services, and topics
discussed in our newsletter. Please
send all inquiries to:
Editor
Emily Stimmel
Development & Communications Associate
412.243.7535, ext. 223
Contributing Writers
Rosa Davis, Executive Director
Karen Clark, Volunteer Coordinator
Madelon Edelstone, Associate &
Development Director
Kate Gross, volunteer
Diane Johnson, Associate & Clinical Director
Design by: SJH Design
Kudos & Special Thanks
• Kudos to Tamara Fleat, POWER addictions
counselor, on the publication of her first
children’s book, I Am a Great Kid No Matter
What! In 2006, after 20 years of helping
women build a foundation for their recovery,
Tamara decided that she needed to do
something to help addiction’s most vulnerable
victims – children. She says, “Addiction is an
epidemic. While I’m devoted to the women
I work with, I felt compelled to do more.
Writing a book that helps children cope with
a parent’s addiction is one small thing that
I could do to be part of the solution.”
• Currently available at Amazon.com and beautifully illustrated by artist Daniel Szwedko, the
book tells the story of Candy Lee the caterpillar
and, according to Tamara, is meant to be
read to children by a sober adult in their lives.
• Tamara hopes that I Am a Great Kid No Matter
What! will help children “know they are not
alone, and that there is hope for their parent
and for them.”
• Congratulations to Roxanne Cole, who
received her LSW this summer.
• Kudos to Brandi Gurcak who completed a
Master of Science degree in mental health
counseling in April, followed by her National
Certified Counselor (NCC) certification in July.
• Congratulations to Anita DeChancie and
Cynthia Wright, who were trained to become
trainers for our Wellness Coaching program.
Pillows for Power - Continued from page 1
Tried and true features of the event will return, including the
models — impeccably styled by Izzazu and Cheeks —
who have come to be a highlight of the evening. Altius, Bella
Christie & Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique, Bistro 19, and Square
Café will offer light fare and DJ Kelli Burns will match the spirit
of the event with an eclectic set list. Attendees will also be able
to purchase pieces from the POWER Collection — items
created especially for POWER by area artists. POWER
Collection gifts are also sold online at localgoodness.com
and at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts gift shop.
Sunflower POWER begins at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
September 10 at PerLora on the South Side. The minimum
suggested donation is $20 per person in advance, or $25 at
the door. To RSVP, call 412.243.7535, ext. 223 or email
[email protected].
Event chairs Sherree Goldstein and Mary Prezioso are hoping
to see a record-breaking crowd at Sunflower POWER!
Drawing inspiration from the beauty and resilience of women,
participating artists to date include: Stephanie Armbruster,
Michele Bamburak, Gloria Rogulin Blake, Jillian Bloise, Carol
Constantine, Rose Clancy, Amber Coppings, Gisele Fetterman,
Mia Tarducci Henry, Michael Lotenero, Sally Mignogna, Helen
Naimark, Cassandra Ott, Sherri Roberts, Kristi Rogers, Bonnie
Rubin, Keith Schmiedlin, Kathy Sickels, and Kathryn Stanko.
Jack Bellas &
Nancy Polinsky Johnson
Sunflower POWER model
Clinical Perspective
POWER adds Wellness Nurse to staff through Behavioral Health Home Plus Expansion
POWER’s approach to treatment has always
included concern for all aspects of clients’
well-being, and over the years has increasingly
made health and wellness a priority for clients
and staff. Now those efforts have taken
another step forward as POWER is one of a
handful of agencies participating in the Behavioral Health Home
Plus Expansion (BHHPE) project, a new model of providing
wellness support by adding a nurse with public
health expertise to POWER’s staff. Anita DeChancie, POWER’s
BHHPE Wellness Nurse, serves as the lead health navigator
and wellness consultant to staff who work directly with clients.
With over 25 years of nursing experience, Anita will be a resource
and guide for POWER mentors who are trained as wellness
coaches and who help their clients develop and achieve goals
related to specific health problems. As Anita stated, “Even small
successes can bolster a client’s confidence in her ability to
positively affect her health.” We are grateful to Community Care
Behavioral Health for inviting us to participate in the BHHPE
project and making it possible for us to bring Anita and her
valuable experience to POWER. Welcome, Anita!
Diane Johnson, RN, BSN
Associate & Clinical Director
Anita DeChancie & Diane Johnson
September is National Recovery Month
volunteer news
Thank you
POWER
volunteers!
Ernestine Myrick
walks with House
residents once a
week.
Arthie Kumar, Jen Baird, Sophie Yang, Emily Smith,
and Rebecca Campbell of the professional pharmacy
organization Lambda Kappa Sigma at Duquesne University
talked to clients about prescription drugs.
Mary Lee
Wetmore walks
with House clients
two mornings a
week.
Lisa Petrusza
begins a client
exercise session.
Valerie Bacharach leads poetry-writing sessions and collects
the women’s work in book form.
POWER Clinical Director
Diane Johnson, 2nd from
left, with Zonta members
Sally Power, Joanne Karg,
and Debbiet Meinert with
their donated birthday bags.
Tasia Blair
organized
members of
Alpha Phi,
Epsilon Iota
chapter,
to create
birthday bags.
Southbrook Middle School gift wrappers
POWER Promises volunteers Christine
Demore & Jaime Marizzaldi
POWER Promises volunteers
Vaughn Schmid
Tekky Andrew-Jaja
of the Urban
League Young
Professionals
and BNY Mellon
helps POWER
staff member
Carol Ramsey
with computer skills.
To become a POWER volunteer,
please contact Karen Clark at
[email protected] or
412.243.7535, ext. 214
“Generosity is the best
investment.”
~ Diane
Von Furstenberg
Jessica Brown of
the Urban League
Young Professionals led House residents in a literary
discussion.
Discovery Christian Church volunteers Tammy Kopper,
Debbi Manes, Beth Mitesser, Debbie Cincola, Karen Mitesser,
and Jess Yurjevich hold Game Nights for House residents.
Michelle Campbell
and Florence
Schneider
worked in the
House children’s
area. Michelle
also works on
clerical projects
at the Factory
and Florence
holds child
development
sessions for
clients.
Pittsburgh Mennonite Church members Cara Rufenacht
(left) and Rachel Dean (right) met with POWER staff
Gretchen Luchs and Carol Haley-Smith about POWER’s
help with the Church’s community garden.
Organizers of GSK’s business education seminar: Malley
Vandora, Vicky Clancy, Anita Lioi, Dawn Getty, Sandie
Stuart, Carol Jeffrey, and Marianne Puhl
National Council of
Jewish Women’s
Allison Milko and
Andrea Glickman
helped organize
the fashion show at
GlaxoSmithKline’s
business education
seminar.
POWER mentor
Francine Wainwright
helps Tearen
Rodwell present
fashion tips at the
April GSK business
education seminar.
s Diana Kamin &
Velouise Bell helps
administrative
staff with clerical
projects.
Renee Herring,
Marcetta Wofford,
Beverly Stewart,
Melanie Sudduth,
Carol Milligan,
Marlease Bennett,
Linda Ross Brown,
and Ria Buford
of Rodman
St Missionary
Baptist Church
had dinner with
House clients.
POWER Promises volunteers Pam
Brown, Marlana Bailey-Eboh,
Shana Wilson, and Ella Scales
Deaths from heroin overdoses have tripled in the United States since 1990. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2014)
Donor Honor Roll
Recognition is based on cumulative gifts, including United Way pledges, made from
July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. Thank you for your generous support throughout
the year! A full list of donors can be found at power-recovery.com.
Garden of Promises
$1,000+
Amcom Office Systems
Anonymous
Jan Bamford & Ron Tiberio
Margaret Battle
BNY Mellon Community Partnership
BNY Mellon Foundation of
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Citizens Bank
Clapp Charitable & Educational Trust
Cochenour Law Offices PC
Kathleen D’Appolonia
James D. Darby, Jr.
The David S. & Karen A. Shapira
Foundation
Rosa Davis
Patty Devlin
Duquesne University
East End Food Co-op
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Erin Felix & John Connelly
FISA Foundation
Hans & Leslie Fleischner
Tina Flowers
Gateway Rehab
Giant Eagle
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
Sherree Goldstein
Tom & Ellen Golonski
The Heinz Endowments
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Christine Hoover
Huntington Bank
Jody R. Schurman Fund of the Cornell
University Foundation
Judge Livingstone M. & Lee Brun
Johnson
Robert Levin & Dr. Kerry Bron
Levin Furniture
Local Goodness LLC
Gayle Manning
Massey Charitable Trust
Lynn McCarthy & Family
Tom & Mona Murphy
Lois O’Connor
Judi & Ron Owen
Jan & Dick Pagliari
Pitcairn-Crabbe Foundation
The Pittsburgh Foundation
PNC Bank
PNC Charitable Trust
Point Legal LLC
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Lauren Schneider & Dean Thompson
Schneider Downs Wealth Management
Advisors, LP
Arthur M. Scully, III & Debbie Scully
Shadyside Presbyterian Church
Mindy Shreve
Eileen Simmons
Margaret Sitko
Sitko Bruno, LLC
Soroptimist International of Pittsburgh Inc.
Wesley Sowers, MD & Sara C. Hamel
Square Café
Thomas Marshall Foundation
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC & UPMC Health Plan
Virginia Volponi
John Wilds, PhD
Zonta Pittsburgh North Foundation
Benefactors
$500-$999
Anonymous
Valerie & Paul Bacharach
Paul Block
Burke Family Foundation
Calvary Episcopal Church
Celerity LLC
Chris & Barb Dunn
Fair Oaks Foundation Inc.
Drs. Andrea Fox & Kenneth Thompson
GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
Maryann Gottlieb
Gymkhana Gymnastics
Jean Haller & Henry Haller, III
Julie Hecker
Henry & Elsie Hillman
Kennon Insurance Consultants Inc.
Betty Lamb
Grant McLaughlin
Elinor McLennan
Terry Miller
Suzanne Parks
Stephen Paschall
PerLora
Revive Marketing Group
Kristi Rogers & Jody Schurman
Nikolyn Roumm & Mary Jeanne Serafin
Charles & Betsy Schumacher
Joel & Debbie Sigal
Kaarin Van Ausdal
Verizon TelecomPioneers
Sheila Washington
Roger Yost
In Honor of…
Caesar Azzam
Howie Choset
Winifred Bagley
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Jan Bamford
Jack Bamford
Sally Ann & Bill Bensur
Jackie Kalocay-Hogg
Paul Bianculli
Rosemary Hulsman
Jessica Burns
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Karen Clark
Judith Ruszkowski & Ken Regal
Gen Davidson
Karen & Alan Waggoner
Sherree Goldstein
Howard Austin & Friends
Les & Joan Becker
Stacy Doepken
Cheryl Gerson
Gordon Food Service
Deborah Hughes & Devo Ihonde
IE Interactive
Monteverde’s Inc.
Cathy Samuels
Betty Hnat
Patricia Y. Thompson
Rosemary Hulsman
Deb & Sy Beozzo
Dorothy Ingersoll
Dorothy Aiken
Sheila Johnson
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Terry Miller
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Kristin Nipaver
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Lois O’Connor
Anonymous
Ken & Coreen Bahney
Jim & Alison Bischoff
John & Deb Blohm
James D. Darby, Jr.
Rosa Davis & Madelon Edelstone
Barbara Float
Robert C. Howard
Lois Mikus
Marsha A. Nicholas
Matthew & Carol Nicholas
Marjorie B. Sherts
Henry & Hilda Sundermann
Charleen Roland
Anonymous
William & Jeannette Smith
Keith Schmiedlin
Jan Bamford
Arthur Scully, III & Debbie Scully
Anonymous
Elinor McLennan
Sr. Joyce Serratore
Beverly Banovatz
Maggi Sitko
Peg Hart
Tina Verba
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Karen Waggoner
Gen & Hugh Davidson
George Yokitis
Mindy J. Shreve
In Memory of…
Nathan Bacharach
Paul & Valerie Bacharach
John Bingler
Marsha Bingler
Jan Bress
Mark Bailey
William & Nancy Berkowitz
Charles & Patsy Bluestone
Richard Bress
Jeanne Caliguiri
Bob & Ellen Garvin and Family
Linda Kaufman
David Lambert
Pierree & Cindi Larouche
Shirley Novak
Jerry Rabinowitz
Charelle Samuels
June Swanson
Amy Caruso
Caruso & Weiksnar Family Fund
Luella Luzarchik
Jan Bamford
Megan Matalka
Pat Kaley
Dorothy McMahon
Tom & Mona Murphy
Brenda Murray
Rosa Davis, Madelon Edelstone &
Debbie Raubenstrauch
Joe Palarino
Joan Palarino
Tony Sallo
Rosa Davis & Madelon Edelstone
Sam Verdiglione
Jackie Verdiglione
Don & Josie Wiley
Shirley Novak
Annette Zanos
Judy Smalley
Legacy Society: A Growing Group
Recently, Nicole DeMartino of MetLife
hosted a planned giving dinner for a small
group of longtime POWER supporters. Nicole
described a variety of ways in which donors
can support POWER through planned
giving without impacting their current giving.
We are delighted that the number of our
POWER Legacy Society donors is growing.
Current Legacy Society donors include Jan
Bamford, Rosa Davis, Nicole DeMartino,
Madelon Edelstone, Sherree Goldstein,
Rosemary Hulsman, Lois O’Connor, and
Arthur M. Scully, III.
When asked why she decided to include
POWER in her will, Rosemary Hulsman said,
“I’ve loved POWER and the women who
receive help there from the very beginning.
I’ve seen their lifesaving work up close and
I’m proud to make sure, through my will,
that my support will continue.”
Please report any errors or omissions to 412.243.7535, ext. 223 — thank you!
If you have made a planned gift
to POWER, if you would like to
learn more about planned giving,
or if you would like to attend an
informational meeting, please
contact Madelon Edelstone at
412.243.7535, ext. 215 or email
[email protected].
2014
What a Night!
POWER Promises – A Night of Hope was just that: a night filled with hope, energy, and inspiration!
Joining Honorary Chairs Robert Levin and wife Dr. Kerry
Bron, nearly 400 guests filled the ballroom at Rodef Shalom
Congregation on Thursday, May 22.
After dinner by Tallulah’s Catering, guests experienced a
program that included honoring Sherree Goldstein, POWER
Board member and Square Café owner, with the Seeds of
Hope Award. As always, the highlight of the evening was the
presentation of three POWER graduates whose stories of
despair and ultimate triumph were read by news anchors
Brenda Waters, our perennial emcee; Sally Wiggin; and
Cara Sapida. The graduates accepted the audience’s standing
ovations and cheers complete with musical accompaniment
by DJ Adele Georgetti. With former mayor Tom Murphy as
auctioneer, the live auction proceeded and succeeded!
POWER Executive Director Rosa Davis referred to Sherree as
“a force of nature” who has turned her business, the Square
Dr. Kerry Bron & Robert Levin
Brenda Waters & Sally Wiggin
Café, into a robust community that highlights the arts and is a
venue for music, meetings, and events. In recovery herself for
24 years, Sherree is a tireless advocate for breaking down the
stigma of addiction who speaks openly about her own experiences.
With her infectious sense of humor always present, Sherree is
generous in all ways and is an employer who believes in hiring
people who need a second chance.
Board President Jan Bamford stated, “POWER is grateful to
the many sponsors and donors who made this event possible
because they understand that the disease of addiction is
treatable and women working to build a foundation for their
recovery deserve our admiration and support.”
Lead sponsors included: Giant Eagle; Robert Levin and
Dr. Kerry Bron; Levin Furniture; and UPMC & UPMC Health
Plan. Thanks in large part to these and other sponsors, we’re
projecting a fundraising total approaching $150,000!
David Conrad & volunteer
Sherree Goldstein
POWER Promises 2014 In-Kind Donors
17th Street Café
84 Lumber Company/Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa
Adina Mills Designhouse
Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy
Allison McGeary Florist, Inc.
Amber Coppings Designs: Xmittens
Arnold Palmer Enterprises
big Burrito Restaurant Group
Bistro 19
Body Harmony Massage Therapy
Bill Butch
Buzzy Photography
BYS Yoga
Caesar’s Designs Fine Jewelry
Creations
Cappriccio
Capristo Salon & Wellness Spa
Carabella
Carnegie Museums
Caruso Hair & Esthetics
Catherina
Centre Avenue Massage & Spa, LLC
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Susan Chunko
Clifford’s Restaurant
Nancy Cochran
The Coffee Tree Roasters
Contemporary Concepts
Crystal River Gems
Gen & Hugh Davidson
Daviea Davis
Rosa Davis
Dinette
Donato’s Restaurant
East End Food Co-op
East End Floral Shoppe
Madelon Edelstone
Euro Concepts International
Feathers
Katherine Fedele
Terry Fedele
Frick Art & Historical Center
Gemini Children’s Theater
Gene Sanes and Associates
Geno Levi Salon
Giant Eagle
Kate Grannemann
Gymkhana Gymnastics
Franco Harris
Heart of the Earth
Henne Jewelers
Hepatica
Isabela on Grandview
Izzazu Salon - Spa – Serata
James Floral & Gift Shoppe
Jeffrey Smith Studio
Jiffy Lube
Jimmy Wan’s Restaurant
Adelaide La Fond
Dorothy Samuels Lampl
La Niche
Larrimor’s
Legume
Angela J. Longo
Louis Anthony Jewelers
Gayle Manning/Fan Reps
Mario’s Family Restaurant
Maxalto
Max’s Allegheny Tavern
ModCloth
Mt. Lebanon Office Furniture & Interiors
Tom Murphy
Omni William Penn
The Original Fish Market
Ron & Judi Owen
Pamar
Pamela’s P & G Diners
Panera Bread
P.F. Chang’s
Phipps Conservatory and
Botanical Gardens, Inc.
Pittsburgh CLO
Pittsburgh Opera
Pittsburgh Playhouse
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Posy
Prantl’s Bakery
Pursuits
Rachel’s Cure by Design
Sandra Reiman
Rivers Club
Riverside Design Group + Plates
With Purpose™
Mary Rygiel
Keith Schmiedlin
Scribe
Arthur M. Scully, III & Debbie Scully
Sea Glass Fine Art
Sendall Chocolates
Serendipity
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Sisters Floral Designs
Social @ Bakery Square
Sognatoré
Sonoma Grille
Nina Sowiski
Square Café
Tallulah’s Catering
Target
Ten Thousand Villages
Tennis Village
Tessaro’s
Verde Mexican Kitchen & Cantina
Victoria
Lynn Waskowiak
Brenda Waters
Wildcard
Wildwood Golf Club
World Class Fitness Center
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Olivia Zitelli
Nearly 14 million U.S. women binge drink almost three times a month, consuming an average of six drinks per binge.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014
Administrative Office
7501 Penn Avenue • Suite 8
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone 412.243.7535
Fax 412.243.8711
www.power-recovery.com
Our Mission
Helping women reclaim
their lives from the disease
of addiction to alcohol and
other drugs, and reducing
the incidence of addiction in
future generations
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of
State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
On Balance Within Recovery
By Kate Gross, POWER volunteer
Lately, the idea of balancing my recovery
with the rest of my — now full — life has
been presenting itself to me in very interesting
ways. When I first got sober in 2012, that
was all there was, and all there really could
be. If I wanted to change my life, I had to
devote my entire self to that change, put all
my efforts into getting sober and, essentially,
growing up. I filled my empty days with
coffee dates with friends from the program.
I didn’t go out anywhere at night except to
the movies or a meeting. I cried more than
I spoke, and when I did speak, it was all
about me: how I was feeling that day; how
much sober time I had; how many coins
I had picked up; how many women I had
called; how many steps I had worked; how
many times I had thought about drinking or
picking up.
Now it is 2014, and my life is much richer.
I still spend time going to meetings and
Join us...
facebook.com/POWERRecovery
getting coffee with my girlfriends from
the program, but unlike before, these are
supplemental activities that I fit into the rest
of my life as opposed to essential ingredients
I need to survive. I am sharing this with you
to impress upon you the importance of
building a strong foundation in the beginning,
for it was only because I filled my days with
those meetings and coffee dates and step
work and phone calls with other women in
the program that I was able to get to the
place where I am now — with a life filled
with normal things: a job, a boyfriend,
music, art, and friendship with people in
and outside the rooms. I am still striving to
achieve balance today, but I am not striving
with all of my being to merely survive. That
urgency has lifted, to reveal a softer and
more balanced existence, complete with
recovery as an important part, but not the
whole, of my life.
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