A Special Message…
On Thursday, September 28, we announced that effective January 1, 2018, Rebecca (Becky) J. Flood, will assume the position of president and CEO at Ashley Addiction Treatment. Becky addressed the entire Ashley staff via Skype that day and shared the following message:
Dear Alumni, Families and Supporters of Ashley,
Since the age of 15, when I had the good fortune to meet him, I have been completely drenched in the traditions of Father Joseph Martin. He impressed me with his quick wit, he touched me personally with his kind mentorship and he made an indelible impression with the easy way he touched so many hearts. As a member of the Ashley family, you also have been influenced by Father Martin – even if you’ve never met him.
With the tender memory of Father Martin in my heart, it is with the utmost grace and humility that I write to tell you I have accepted the position of president and CEO of Ashley, effective January 1, 2018.
Am I excited to take on this new role? Absolutely. Am I blessed to be able to carry on the ideals brought to light by this iconic figure in the crusade to have more individuals and families find their path to recovery than ever before? Even more so.
Importantly, Father Mark Hushen, someone I have joined on a recovery walk with for many years, is not leaving Ashley. Father Mark will be evolving from Ashley’s president and CEO at the end of 2017, to provide spiritual support to the entire Ashley community as its Chief Mission and Legacy Officer. Together, Father Mark and I look forward to preserving the rich legacy of Father Martin and Mae Abraham. We’ve known one another for more than a quarter century, and we’ve sat alongside one another on numerous boards and committees. As I hope you will agree, this transition offers great authenticity, seamlessness – and promise.
I step into my new role at Ashley having spent 13 years as president and CEO of New Directions for Women – an internationally recognized residential recovery center in Southern California that specializes in the treatment of women. I also served on the New Directions for Women board of directors, and I hope to maintain that board position. Before New Directions for Women, I was at Seabrook House in New Jersey, where I worked for 26 years.
Ashley’s familiar and comforting wreath reminds us that we’re interconnected. There’s no beginning and no end – no top and no bottom. The wreath represents unity, and symbolizes how we battle, rise, win and live – together. I am, by no means, the captain of any ship, including Ashley. I know my hands will be only two of many hands on the Ashley wheel, and I wouldn’t have this any other way.
It is with great joy, humility, grace and anticipation that I accept this wonderful opportunity to help create and implement what’s to come for Ashley Addiction Treatment.
Peace,
Becky
Clinically Speaking
Over the last few months, Ashley clinicians have been enhancing and revising our three main programs. This article is the last in a series of three describing these enhancements which provide the cornerstone of our treatment program.
The Ashley Young Adult Extended Care Treatment Program (part 2 of 2)
In our September eNews, we explored Ashley’s treatment program designed for young adults ages 18 – 25. What we’ve learned is that for many of our younger patients, the standard 28-day program is not enough. To help increase the chances for long-term recovery, Ashley recommends our 60-day Young Adult Extended Care Program for males in this age group. Individualized treatment plans focus on identifying underlying factors that contribute to substance use disorders. Through innovative clinical modalities, training in life-skills, and 12-step immersion activities, we motivate and guide young men to become strong, active family and community members.
Assistant Program Director, James Ryan said, “Our 28-day program focuses on the clinical elements of addiction and less on life-skill development. The Extended Care Program is the reverse.”
Some of these life-skill training modules include:
- Relationships in Recovery
- Financial Planning
- Social Media Management
- Nutritional Education and Meal Planning / Prep
- Employment Preparation
- Civility, Communication and Conflict Resolution
“These are just a few of the interactive training sessions that will help prepare our young adults to successfully navigate the world following treatment,” Ryan said. “This is critical to avoid a return to familiar patterns of behavior that can easily lead to relapse.”
In addition to the life-skills training, the Extended Care Program emphasizes healthy recovery activities, as it has been proven that integration and participation in 12-step and other recovery programs are linked to an increase in long-term sobriety. Recommended recovery activities include:
- On and off-campus 12-step meetings
- Big Book and 12-step studies
- AA / NA events
- Temporary sponsorship and step work
The Extended Care Program also emphasizes the development of “life balance” and ways to have fun and experience life substance-free. Sober Saturday activities in the Program include kayaking, bowling, movies, museum visits, and much more.
But perhaps the most unique aspect of the Extended Care Program is that effective November 1st, these patients will move off campus into a new residence. The as-yet-to-be-named “house” will be a constantly supervised, community based living space. The residents will learn to manage with greater independence and will take a greater role in the maintenance and upkeep of the house.
They will utilize the grounds to plant a vegetable garden and participate in many other activities that aren’t possible on our regular campus.
Many of these program elements are enhancements to the program which was introduced in July, 2016. One important feature is that we stay in touch with these patients after they graduate, so that we can measure the outcomes. Said Ryan, “Our program is proving to be very effective. 92% of those that successfully completed the 60-day stay have remained sober and are doing extremely well. I’m really proud of them!”
For more information about Ashley’s Young Adult Extended Care or any of our treatment programs, visit our website at www.AshleyTreatment.org or contact our Admissions Dept. – 800-799-HOPE (4673).
Developments
Following on the heels of a busy September, Ashley’s Development Department is keeping up the pace in October with several major events.
The 17th Annual Lou Bantle Golf Classic will take place on Thursday, October 5th at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, MD. This yearly favorite raises funds for Ashley’s Military Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance for members of the military in need of treatment and their families. To make a donation in support of this important Scholarship Fund, please click here.
October will close with a ringing of the Liberty Bell, as our Greater Philadelphia Leadership Council presents our Second Annual Center City Dinner & Presentation. This important fundraising event will be hosted at the Union League on October 26th, 2017 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. Former US Representative, Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) will offer the Keynote Address.
We will also proudly honor Ashley Board Member, Robert S. Johnson, Esq. with our Greater Philadelphia Community Service Award. Our newly created Liberty Award will be presented to AJ Solomon, founder of Victory Bay Recovery Center in Laurel Springs, NJ.
The program theme is: Alcoholism and drug addiction are a national problem, and every American can – and should – be involved in the solution. A solution which is treatment and recovery!
Sponsorships and tickets are available for this powerful event – click here! Come on out and join this important conversation!
Alumni Spotlight
Sunday, September 17th will go down in the annals of Ashley history, as more than 1,400 alumni, families and friends of Ashley swarmed the campus at our Annual Alumni Homecoming! A powerhouse speaker / entertainment program highlighted the event, which was deliciously catered by Mission BBQ!
Singer / Songwriter Matt Butler kicked off the festivities with a heartfelt set, weaving his personal experience with a timeless musical style. Butler played songs from his critically acclaimed album, Reckless Son as well as other songs, to the delight of the growing crowd.
Featured speaker, actor Danny Trejo, blew the audience away with his amazing story of a troubled early adulthood, struggles with addiction and then nearly 49 years of recovery, and a meteoric rise in the Hollywood film industry. With genuine emotion, ironic humor, and complete openness, Trejo told story after story about his eye-opening experiences, concluding with the message, “Everything good that has ever happened to me came from helping someone else.”
Alternative rock band Blue October’s Justin Furstenfeld wrapped up the entertainment part of the day with a unique musical approach to sharing his personal story of recovery. A performance that was both poignant and inspiring.
Other highlights of the Homecoming included a great turnout for Yoga by the Bay with Tina Perez, face-painting, rock-wall climbing and a moon bounce feature for the kids, chair massages for their stressed-out parents, and more! A wide variety of gifts ranging from a Baltimore Orioles care package to a Mission BBQ gift set were raffled off to raise funds for the Ashley Scholarship Fund. This was capped off with the drawing for a brand new Jeep Wrangler Sport 4 X 4!
The winner of the drawing was Albert Adams of Milford, DE – who drove away very surprised, very happy and doing the Jeep Wave!
The bar has been set for Ashley Homecomings in the future. Mark your calendars now for next year – September 15, 2018! We’ll see you there!