After Baby Care
Our RAGE ABC (After Baby Care) program is something we hold near and dear to our hearts. We know that becoming a new mom can be worrisome, without the challenges of being fresh into recovery. Throw overcoming drug or alcohol addiction into the mix with becoming a new mom, and that can be just downright terrifying. Women who are starting in their recovery have obstacles like finding employment and housing as well as balancing support meetings and appointments. Pregnant women may wonder how they will find and pay for basic items for their baby. This is where Rage comes in…we provide post-natal care packages for women in the early stages of recovery to help them start off on the right path so that they are the best version of themselves for their child. Items are purchased from a pre-determined checklist that includes things like bottles, bathing supplies, clothing, diapers, and wipes.
Kelley Myers of Maryland Recovery Homes benefited from this program last February. She is in recovery and has a unique story to tell about what she gained from RAA ABC. You can just feel the excitement and appreciation in her story below.
“A year and a half ago, I met a girl who was pregnant and in active addiction. I desperately tried to help her stay clean, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my attempts. Ultimately, she gave birth and asked me if I could take the baby until she was able to get on her feet.
Without hesitation I said yes. I opened up my home to this innocent and beautiful baby girl. The Department of Human Services immediately opened an investigation, and decided that it would be in the best interest of the baby to stay in my care. I was granted temporary guardianship.
But now, a year and a half later, I have finally been awarded full legal guardianship of my baby girl! 
I benefited from your program in many ways. Financially, I couldn’t afford anything extra for the baby, so getting help with diapers and wipes has allowed me to save. Every bit counts. Even knowing that I have the outlet to go to for extra support is good.
I am beyond grateful and blessed in my life today. I have worked hard to provide a successful life for myself and family. Before this, I was just existing and now I have purpose.
The best advice I can give someone is never give up. Right things happen when you’re doing the right things. If you do good, you’ll get good. But transformation takes sacrifice and hard work, and for me, the rewards of being sober have blessed me beyond belief and words can not describe my true happiness.”
A Testimonial Of Love
March 7th marked five years since I lost my sister Dana. She battled addiction and mental illness for more than half her life. I wish things were different for her. I wish she were here today, happy and healthy. It’s difficult to truly explain how it feels to lose someone to this awful epidemic; it’s heartbreaking to see them self-destruct as the mental illness and addiction chip away pieces of who they once were. The whole family suffers. It’s definitely a pain I do not wish on anyone. Though there is still a stigma about addiction and mental illness, I will not let it extinguish the bright love I have for her or the light for her in my heart. Since joining the Rage team a couple of years ago as an Administrator and Newsletter Editor, I’ve been asked many times how can I be truly happy for someone in recovery when my sister did not reach permanent recovery. The truth is, that while I obviously wish Dana was able to find peace and recovery, I do feel a sincere sense of excitement and gratefulness when I know we have helped someone. I have met and talked to several people in various stages of recovery, and each person is special and deserves their new-found joy. I carry her with me as I hope for others to find, maintain, and enhance their own journey toward happiness and good health.
March has been busy to say the least! Along with working on our biggest event of the year (RAA Memory Walk/Recovery Run 2023), we have been recording episodes of our podcast “Rage Talk” and meeting with likeminded community-based organizations. Addiction treatment and support advocacy takes a village and multiple voices to keep recovery options open. We encourage you to listen and let us know if there is a topic or message we can help promote. No family is immune.
Pick up your Race Kit and meet the Rage Team! We hope to see you there! (Race Kits are for those who have registered as a Walker or Runner for our April 1st Memory Walk / Recovery Run.)
We hope to see you on April 1st at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, MD to support recovery, heal families, remember lives lost to addiction, and to spread hope. This fundraiser is a way for communities to come together. Addiction cannot win if we all fight against it. Bring your family and friends, hold up pictures of those you’re celebrating or remembering, meet the Rage team, and connect with others going through the same tough battles. You are not alone. Register here: Sign Up
Thank you to our sponsors. We sincerely appreciate your support. We cannot fight this alone. We rely on your generosity to make events like this happen, and to help spread awareness and hope that recovery IS possible. Every life matters and every dollar counts.
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.
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.
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