A Father and Son
Introducing Kaiden Powell!
Kaiden is just a couple of weeks old! He is the newest member of our amazing ABC (After Baby Care) program, which empowers new mothers in early recovery by providing postpartum care packages (from a pre-determined checklist that includes things like wipes, diapers, clothing, and bottles ) for mother and baby. Not only is Kaiden adorable, but there is something unique about how he became a part of the program. His father, Todd, asked us for support. Todd is the first father who has reached out to us regarding help; in the past, it’s been expecting mothers fresh into recovery who have contacted us. But Todd is new in recovery as well, and wanted to give his fiancée (who is about a year and a half into her own recovery) that extra boost for the sake of their new baby.
We understand that preparing for the birth of a child is exciting and terrifying. When you are trying to straighten your life out after struggling with addiction, a new baby can add worry and stress about how to make ends meet. There are obstacles such as finding steady employment and a place to live, and how to manage paying bills while working on your sobriety. It can be a heavy load to figure out, but Rage wants to ease that burden by providing the necessities that all newborns deserve.
After he was released from prison, he tried to get himself together, but he was unable to. “I got overwhelmed, and messed up and messed up for almost the entire time she’s been pregnant,” said Todd. When he contacted us about the program after seeing our information at a local recovery center, he shared a bit of his background and why he hoped for help. “Something clicked this time. I found a higher power that I’ve been searching for my whole life and I’m working on my recovery.”
After he submitted what he needed from our program list, we sent the items to his fiancee’s house. “This was a huge help and a huge blessing, and it relieved a lot of stress,” he said. “You guys are doing awesome things… when I get situated, I’d like to give back and help you.”
We believe that everyone needs a second chance, and we are happy to know that little Kaiden and his parents now have what they need to start off on the right foot in this new and beautiful journey together as a family.
“When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” ~ Linda Poindexter
Everyone has an inner voice, and the voice is a combination of a lot of people that have been in and out of our lives. But for those of us who had a father figure growing up know that a dad’s voice is forever with us. The power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched: dad jokes, advice on driving or a career, or simply just being there no matter what. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there that are showing up!
This Is My Why
Every so often, we are sent a story from one our Facebook fundraiser creators about WHY they chose to collect donations for Rage. Here is a story from Cassie Cook of Indiana:
“My beautiful sister Lauren was taken from me by heroin laced with fentanyl. She deserved the world. Her addiction started at 19 years old when she was having trouble with alcohol. She started drinking alcohol and taking Xanax, and then ultimately used heroin. The thing about heroin is that it is so cheap and easy to access. One thing I have noticed about addiction is how it affects the family unit. I watched my sister slowly drift away into nothing. Our family fell apart when we lost her. When she was using, she was not the person I knew and I told her that, and she appreciated that I noticed. Sober Lauren was my best friend, my soulmate. When she was using, she would say things and do things she did not mean. It just became normal. She used to tell me how she wishes she would die and wanted for it to be over. My heart would shatter to hear such an amazing human say those words. I remember she called me one day telling me how bad she hated everything, and how all she wanted to do was use and there was nothing I could do to stop it, and I remember feeling so helpless. By then, I had mentally expected her death. Accepting the death and fate of someone still living is something no one should have to go through. Everyday I wonder if there was something more I could do. She went to rehab about ten times. She did really good for about three years in Florida. She stayed clean but then she moved back home to her enablers and it was like she never stopped. Addiction is ugly and it can happen to any family and we need to stop the stigma. Not only is it a disease to the addict but to the family. Too many beautiful human beings are dying every single day. It has to stop. This is my why.”
September 9, 2023: September is National Recovery Month, and what better way to spread the hope of recovery from substance abuse than for us to host a Basket Bingo Night Fundraiser! This event will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Doors will open at 5:30pm and games will begin at 6:00pm at Abingdon Fire Hall (3306 Abingdon Road – Abingdon, MD 21009). It will be an exciting evening where the community can come together to celebrate individuals who are new to recovery or who have been on the journey for many years, and it will also give support to those still struggling with addiction. Please purchase tickets here: rageagainstaddiction.org/event/basket-bingo-fundraiser/
How Can You Help?
Check out our new fundraiser form here: rageagainstaddiction.org/host-a-fundraiser/ This is our one-stop shop for those who want to host a fundraiser: all you have to do is complete the form and wait for us to contact you for approval. Not only will your business be assisting us, you will be saving lives right here in the community you live and work in.
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.
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.
Voices Of Hope: An organization made up of people in recovery who advocate for behavioral health disorder prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery resources, who eliminate the stigma of addiction through outreach events and education, and who support all pathways of recovery including harm reduction and Narcan training. Located in Cecil County, MD. Please visit here or call 443-933-7055 for information about services.
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.
RAA ABC (After Baby Care): Provides post-partum care packages to new mothers in early recovery. Check out our program Gift List here.
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.*
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