2022 Year in Review
The holiday rush is over. 2023 is fast approaching. Rage Against Addiction had a busy year and we’d love for you to see what we’ve been up to. Most importantly, we could not have done any of this without community support. Whether you participated in our events, collected donations, created a Facebook fundraiser, shared our social media posts, made and delivered food to our sober living houses, or became an event sponsor, we appreciate each and every one of you. Together we are saving lives, healing families, encouraging recovery, and spreading awareness and hope.
January: Our second season of ‘Rage Talk’ aired on Harford County Living. In partnership with Conversations with Rich Bennett, we were able to speak more about important topics such as harm reduction, grief, what it’s like to be a house manager in a sober living house, and how to keep teens safe and engaged, as well as share details about our events such as our annual Memory Walk / Recovery Run and the Emily Evans Concert For Hope. Our podcasts often have other guests who share their own experiences with substance abuse, mental illness, recovery, or loss.
February: We shared more information about our RAA ABC (After Baby Care) program, which provides post-partum newborn care packages for new mothers in recovery. We know that welcoming a baby into the world is a life-changing event and those who are fresh into recovery often have extra challenges to overcome. Our program empowers new mothers by providing them with necessary items from our predetermined checklist (found here) to get them started on the road to motherhood.
March: We hosted a Rage Club meeting at Made Me Mine in Bel Air, Maryland for our families who have been directly impacted by the devastation of addiction. Made Me Mine is a craft studio and the Rage Club kids created a beautiful piece of artwork that read “always look on the bright side.” Justin Macri from Ashley Treatment Center participated with the kids as they painted, talked, and ate lunch together. It was a way for children and their families to feel connected while dealing with their own addiction-related challenges.
April: Our biggest fundraising event of the year was held at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, Maryland on April 9, 2022. Our annual Memory Walk / Recovery Run welcomed approximately 500 families that gathered together to remember those we lost, to celebrate those in recovery, and to help those in active addiction. We had speakers who shared stories of love, loss, and hope. Old Line Grill catered the event and Coffee Coffee donated delicious drinks to warm up everyone on the very chilly and windy morning. Our virtual piece allowed families to join us from all over the country. It was a wonderful way for families to feel connected and make a difference. We know that addiction can impact anyone; it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from.
May: Our second recovery house, Sister House, opened in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic.
June: Peace Yoga in Fallston, Maryland welcomed Rage Club for an “Intro To Yoga” class. Kids learned basic yoga techniques including proper breathing, and received their own water bottle and yoga mat. Wendy Beck, Founder and Executive Director of Rage Against Addiction, spoke at the Harford County (Maryland) Family Drug Court.
July: A long-time community supporter generously held a Pampered Chef fundraiser and donated the proceeds to Rage.
August: The Cottage opened at the beginning of August. It’s our third women’s sober living house in the Bel Air, Maryland area. Rage Club families were treated to a fun afternoon at the IronBirds game in Aberdeen, Maryland.
September: Sponsored by The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy and the Harford County Health Department, our Recovery Night Out took place at Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air, Maryland on September 17, 2022. It was our community giveback that celebrated those in our area who were in recovery. An estimated 200 people attended to play games, win prizes, listen to speakers who detailed their own recovery journey, and dance to music provided by The Perfect Beat. Rage participated in the annual Softball for Sobriety event on September 10, 2022, hosted by ACR (Addiction Connections Resource). This event promotes recovery and drug prevention, and provides recovery support services to those who need them.
October: Rage took part in the three-day music-centric Ramble Festival in Darlington, Maryland by providing several recovery peers (previous Rage recovery house residents) at the unique Sober Camp, which was an area for music lovers to enjoy the weekend without the stress of wanting to drink alcohol. For individuals who wanted to sustain sobriety, the Rage Sober Camp was an important aspect as it provided Narcan and recovery resources as well as like-minded support, connection, and a safe place to hang out.
November: Our first women’s recovery house, Daughter’s House, opened in 2018. Launched under our program of the same name, this house set the bar for the future of our next two women’s recovery houses. We were able to assist an estimated fifty women on their journey to recovery in our three houses this year, and we are still going strong!
December: The 2022 Project Family Christmas Kids program helped sixteen local children who have been directly impacted by addiction by providing them with things they need, wear, want, and read. These children must be affected by addiction in the following ways: one or both parents are currently incarcerated; one or both parents have recently received or are currently receiving substance-abuse related treatment in a rehab facility or sober living house; one or both parents have passed away from substance abuse within the last eighteen months; the child is / children are living with a caregiver because of substance-related challenges. We know the holidays can be very difficult so we try to bring some cheer to those who need it the most. Kids need to heal too.
In addition, over 150 people were funded into various sober living situations throughout the year.
As you can see, Rage Against Addiction has been up to a lot in 2022. We look forward to what 2023 has to offer. We extend our sincere gratitude for all of the support we’ve received this year. Every dollar counts. Every event is important. Every life matters. We wish you a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!
As I look back over the year, I am always amazed by the support we get from the community. Each year we meet new individuals, families, and businesses that know the pain of addiction. These are the people working behind the scenes and as a result, people in our communities are recovering.
Community support removes barriers that have prevented people who are struggling from substance use disorder from recovering in the past. Shame and ignorance are no more. By providing awareness and support, stigma weakens and resources become available. Thanks to all our supporters and volunteers. We are stronger together.
Upcoming Events
2023 Memory Walk / Recovery Run
April 1, 2023: in-person event at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, MD
April 1 to April 30, 2023: virtual participation
Details and registration here: RunSignUp
If you cannot participate but still want to contribute, please consider sponsoring this event. Sponsorship information can be found here: level details
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. We all know someone affected by addiction. It could be you or your family member or your friend or co-worker. No one is immune. We need to spread awareness and hope, and we cannot do it alone. We hope that you will consider being a part of t his amazing event.
Community Resources
Addiction Connections Resource: A non-profit organization that assists with providing resources and support for addiction treatment and that educates the community about substance abuse disorder. Located in Fallston, MD. Please visit here or call 443-417-7810 for more information.
Ashley Addiction Treatment: An inpatient treatment center that personalizes clinical programs based on individual need. Located in Havre De Grace, MD. Please visit here or call 800-799-4673 for information about online and in-person meeting services.
Celebrate Recovery: A local support group for those with addictive behaviors. Located in Bel Air, MD and Joppa, MD.
-Mt. Zion Church (1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015): every Thursday at 5:45pm. Please visit here for more information about meetings.
-Mountain Christian Church (New Life Center 1802 Mountain Road, Joppa, MD 21085): every Friday at 6:00pm. Please visit here for more details.
GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing): A local support group for those who have lost someone to addiction.
-7:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
-Located in the Education Building at Mt. Zion Church: 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
-Contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information. The private national Facebook group is available. Please visit here to ask to join.
The Klein Family Harford Crisis Center: A clinic that provides immediate care for mental health and addiction. Located in Bel Air, MD. Please visit here or call 410-874-0711 for information about services.
Loving An Addict: A local support group for family and friends of those in active addiction.
-7:00 pm every Saturday.
-Located in the Education Building at Mt. Zion Church: 1643 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
-Contact lisa.craig4@verizon.net for more information.
We serve locally but think globally. For counseling, or for addiction, substance abuse disorder, or mental illness treatment, please contact your area’s health department, county government, hospital, or law enforcement agency.
Rage Against Addiction Programs
Daughter’s House: Designed to assist women who are transitioning from substance abuse treatment to recovery; includes three sober living houses (Daughter’s House, Sister House, and The Cottage) located in the suburbs of Harford County, MD. Click here to visit the Facebook page.
Rage Club: This program is a resource broker for families and children who have been touched by the devastation of addiction; we encourage open and ongoing conversations as we believe that is the first step in the healing process. Click here for more information
HALO (How to Live Without Our Addicted Loved One): An online grief support group specifically for those that lost loved ones to substance abuse. Click here to ask to join the private Facebook page. *Please read and answer the membership questions prior to joining.*
RAA ABC (After Baby Care): Provides post-partum care packages to new mothers in early recovery.
Rage Against Addiction Team Members
Wendy Beck: Founder and Executive Director
Rachel Bongiorno: Recovery Coach and Daughter’s House Program Director
Mia Ellis: Newsletter Writer and Administrator
Amanda Buddenbohn: Board of Directors
Tara Kuzma: Chairman of the Board of Directors
Sarah Hoover and Michael Nesline: Rage Club was inspired by their need to heal from their own personal loss