Today, September 16, 2019, Reconciliation House, Inc. celebrates the third anniversary of opening its doors. Over the past three years RHI has been home to 46 past and present residents. Several have elected to stay in the greater Webster area, and have continued to work in the jobs they started while living at RHI. Some have struggled with their recovery, and, yes, a few have re-offended. However, for the vast majority, living at RHI was the turning point in their lives, and they continue now sober, centered and alive. We hope to continue our work with the men coming out of STOP at the Worcester County House of Correction offering them a safe and compassionate place to live and grow in their recovery. May God continue to help us do so!
What's New at Reconciliation House
Rev. Janice gave an interview to "get your local on" about the great work that she and others are doing!
Check it out at the link below!
lake940.com/get-your-local-on-rev-janice-ford/
Check it out at the link below!
lake940.com/get-your-local-on-rev-janice-ford/
Here is the interview that Rev. Janice Ford gave to the Yankee Express:
Peer Recovery Center adds programs for family support and gambling addictionFeb. 04, 2019“We know there are people who want and need help, but there is a shyness about walking into a facility – it takes a lot of courage,” says The Rev. Janice Ford.
The “facility” is the Opening the Word Peer Recovery Center at 10 Mechanic Street in Webster, which opened in August to address substance use disorder issues faced by its residents and those of the surrounding communities. Since then it has added a support group for loved ones of those in recovery and a Gambler’s Anonymous meeting.
The Rev. Ford, pastor of the Church of the Reconciliation (Episcopal) and a member of the Webster Opioid Task Force, is the Center’s director.
The Center is an outreach ministry of the church, but functions in collaboration with the Opioid Task Force and its chairperson, Police Chief Michael Shaw.
“Addiction is a community-wide problem that requires a community-wide resolution,” says Rev. Ford. “The Center is only effective if it is used by those whom it seeks to serve, and we need the community’s support in spreading the word regarding what it has to offer.”
She notes that being in recovery can be isolating, especially in the early stages. “It can be lonesome, so having a place you can be with other people who don’t judge or stigmatize you is important.”
Once a person makes the decision to go into recovery, they may have to find housing or a job, she says, and it’s easy to “fall off the track.” Peer recovery coaches at the Center can provide the support needed to stay on course.
They are volunteers who have received training in peer recovery coaching, which is meant to help remove barriers to recovery by providing referrals and other forms of assistance.
Four peer recovery coaches rotate during the hours the Center is open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition, the Center holds an All-Recovery meeting on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., a Recovery Bible Study on Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a women’s support group on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The newly added support group for the family and loved ones of people in recovery meets on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gambler’s Anonymous meetings take place on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Peer recovery coaching sessions are available in Spanish as well as English.
The Opening the Word Peer Recovery Center receives no outside funding and currently functions with an all-volunteer staff.
The Center isn’t just for Webster – residents and families from surrounding towns are invited and welcome.
Peer Recovery Center adds programs for family support and gambling addictionFeb. 04, 2019“We know there are people who want and need help, but there is a shyness about walking into a facility – it takes a lot of courage,” says The Rev. Janice Ford.
The “facility” is the Opening the Word Peer Recovery Center at 10 Mechanic Street in Webster, which opened in August to address substance use disorder issues faced by its residents and those of the surrounding communities. Since then it has added a support group for loved ones of those in recovery and a Gambler’s Anonymous meeting.
The Rev. Ford, pastor of the Church of the Reconciliation (Episcopal) and a member of the Webster Opioid Task Force, is the Center’s director.
The Center is an outreach ministry of the church, but functions in collaboration with the Opioid Task Force and its chairperson, Police Chief Michael Shaw.
“Addiction is a community-wide problem that requires a community-wide resolution,” says Rev. Ford. “The Center is only effective if it is used by those whom it seeks to serve, and we need the community’s support in spreading the word regarding what it has to offer.”
She notes that being in recovery can be isolating, especially in the early stages. “It can be lonesome, so having a place you can be with other people who don’t judge or stigmatize you is important.”
Once a person makes the decision to go into recovery, they may have to find housing or a job, she says, and it’s easy to “fall off the track.” Peer recovery coaches at the Center can provide the support needed to stay on course.
They are volunteers who have received training in peer recovery coaching, which is meant to help remove barriers to recovery by providing referrals and other forms of assistance.
Four peer recovery coaches rotate during the hours the Center is open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In addition, the Center holds an All-Recovery meeting on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., a Recovery Bible Study on Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a women’s support group on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The newly added support group for the family and loved ones of people in recovery meets on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gambler’s Anonymous meetings take place on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Peer recovery coaching sessions are available in Spanish as well as English.
The Opening the Word Peer Recovery Center receives no outside funding and currently functions with an all-volunteer staff.
The Center isn’t just for Webster – residents and families from surrounding towns are invited and welcome.
This link is for a Telegram & Gazette article about the gifts of Vivitrol, highlighted by Reconciliation House resident Christopher Savasta.
https://www.telegram.com/news/20190119/opioid-recovery-inside-and-after-jail-teams-vivitrol-with-counseling-training
https://www.telegram.com/news/20190119/opioid-recovery-inside-and-after-jail-teams-vivitrol-with-counseling-training
First Annual Meeting and Dinner
Our first Annual Meeting and Dinner is being held at Point Breeze Restaurant on Webster Lake on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. Invitations have gone out, and RSVP's are due March 15th. If you did not receive an invitation and would like to attend, please contact
Rev. Janice Ford at 508-330-8073. Our guest speakers for the event include the Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA, Mr. Michael Eariello, Executive Director of Everyday Miracles in Worcester, MA, and several of our current House residents.
Our Benefactors
On May 5, 2016, our first major fundraiser was held at Point Breeze Restaurant in Webster. One hundred five people attended the $100 per person dinner. Our speakers included State Representative Joseph McKenna; the Hon. Lewis Evangelidis, Sheriff of Worcester County; Maryanne Frangules, Executive Director of MOAR the Hon. Tim Bibaud, First Justice Dudley District Court; Mr. Peter Koscisuko, Director of Substance Abuse Services at WCHC, Mr. Mark Rogers, as well as Niles W. and Jason C. who are both in recovery and are graduates of the STOP program at the Worcester County House of Correction. The Rev. Janice Ford, RHI President was emcee for the evening. Over $7,000 was raised at the dinner, with many making additional donations via pledge cards in the weeks following.
Enjoy a few photos from the event...
Enjoy a few photos from the event...
Many thanks to all who have donated to Reconciliation House, Inc. As of September 17, 2016, our benefactors include:
The Episcopal Diocese of Western MA
Mr. and Mrs. Randy Becker
Rotman's Furniture
Dr. and Mrs. John Howland
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blackmer
LKQ Auto Parts
Hyde/Dexter-Russell Charitable Foundation
Janet Malser Humanities Trust
Mr. and the Rev. Mrs. Rodney Ford
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
The Rev. Laura Goodwin
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Ms. Deborah Dowd-Foley
Ms. Crystal de Angelo
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rogers
Mrs. Betty Edwards
Mr. Rick Jerr
Mr. Bruce Long
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Cormier
Ms. Kathleen O'Connor and Mr. Thomas Ritacco
Ms. Cinda McKinny
Mr. Gerald Berube
Mr. Kevin David, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lussier
Webster First Federal Credit Union
Mr. Robert Keith
Mr. Hamilton Doherty, Esq.
O'Connor Insurance Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Abdow
The Rt. Rev. and Mrs. Gordon Scruton
Ms. Linda Mulles
The Rev. Thomas Landry
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kalber
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Paicos
Long Subaru, Webster
Worcester County Sheriff's Association
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Washburn
The Rev. Adam Reid
Central MA Auto Auction, Oxford
Mr. Roland Malboeuf
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Demers
Webster Five
Mrs. Elizabeth Raphaelson
Mr. Stephen Frohbieter
The Hon. Timothy Bibaud
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hickey
Milton CAT
Mrs. Janis Swain
The Estate of Yvonne R. Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. William Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Symes
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Craver
Mr. Chris Jolda
Mr. Thomas Powell
Keegan, Werlin, LLP
The Rev. Nancy Strong
Mr. and Mrs. Irving Schoppe
Mrs. Kim Livingston
Mrs. Tammy Stackpole
The Rev. Meredyth Ward
Representative Joseph McKenna
Trinity Episcopal Church, Milford
Mr. Dominic Barbara
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Worsham
Mr. William Jones
Police Chief Timothy Bent
Ms. Pamela Holt
Mr. David Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. John Thornton
Ms. Barbara Zurawski
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Travis
Mr. and Mrs. Audrey Cronin
The Rev. William Murray
The Rev. George Warren
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Willis
Lt. Michael Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rogers
Mrs. Louise McKEnna
Mr. Thomas Klebart
Ms. Maureen O'Connor
Mr. Don Siergie
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Minasian
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kosciusko
Mr. George Ferenick
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dufresene
Jefferson Breen, MD
Mr. Victor Waskewicz
Mr. Joseph Waskewicz
Mr. Jim Alkire
The Hon. Lewis Evangelidis
Mr. and Mrs. Paul LaFramboise
Mr. and Mrs. Marco Arango
Ms. Pamela O'Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cirillo
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rogers
Axial Financial Group
Ms. Fiorella Favaro
Mr. John Lotka
Mr. Joseph Machado
Lesley Quinchia
Mr. Val Sender
Mr. Robert Walsh
Mr. Vincent Bono
Mr. Alan Parisse
Mr. Robert Perodeau
Mr and Mrs. Robert Candido
Ms. Robyn Carlo
Sitkowski and Malboeuf Funeral Home
Scanlon Funeral Home
Mr. Roland Malboeuf
Mr. and Mrs. Dan O'Connor
The Episcopal Diocese of Western MA
Mr. and Mrs. Randy Becker
Rotman's Furniture
Dr. and Mrs. John Howland
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blackmer
LKQ Auto Parts
Hyde/Dexter-Russell Charitable Foundation
Janet Malser Humanities Trust
Mr. and the Rev. Mrs. Rodney Ford
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
The Rev. Laura Goodwin
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Ms. Deborah Dowd-Foley
Ms. Crystal de Angelo
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rogers
Mrs. Betty Edwards
Mr. Rick Jerr
Mr. Bruce Long
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Cormier
Ms. Kathleen O'Connor and Mr. Thomas Ritacco
Ms. Cinda McKinny
Mr. Gerald Berube
Mr. Kevin David, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lussier
Webster First Federal Credit Union
Mr. Robert Keith
Mr. Hamilton Doherty, Esq.
O'Connor Insurance Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Abdow
The Rt. Rev. and Mrs. Gordon Scruton
Ms. Linda Mulles
The Rev. Thomas Landry
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kalber
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Paicos
Long Subaru, Webster
Worcester County Sheriff's Association
The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Washburn
The Rev. Adam Reid
Central MA Auto Auction, Oxford
Mr. Roland Malboeuf
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Demers
Webster Five
Mrs. Elizabeth Raphaelson
Mr. Stephen Frohbieter
The Hon. Timothy Bibaud
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hickey
Milton CAT
Mrs. Janis Swain
The Estate of Yvonne R. Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. William Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Symes
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Craver
Mr. Chris Jolda
Mr. Thomas Powell
Keegan, Werlin, LLP
The Rev. Nancy Strong
Mr. and Mrs. Irving Schoppe
Mrs. Kim Livingston
Mrs. Tammy Stackpole
The Rev. Meredyth Ward
Representative Joseph McKenna
Trinity Episcopal Church, Milford
Mr. Dominic Barbara
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Worsham
Mr. William Jones
Police Chief Timothy Bent
Ms. Pamela Holt
Mr. David Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. John Thornton
Ms. Barbara Zurawski
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Travis
Mr. and Mrs. Audrey Cronin
The Rev. William Murray
The Rev. George Warren
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Willis
Lt. Michael Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rogers
Mrs. Louise McKEnna
Mr. Thomas Klebart
Ms. Maureen O'Connor
Mr. Don Siergie
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Minasian
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kosciusko
Mr. George Ferenick
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dufresene
Jefferson Breen, MD
Mr. Victor Waskewicz
Mr. Joseph Waskewicz
Mr. Jim Alkire
The Hon. Lewis Evangelidis
Mr. and Mrs. Paul LaFramboise
Mr. and Mrs. Marco Arango
Ms. Pamela O'Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cirillo
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Rogers
Axial Financial Group
Ms. Fiorella Favaro
Mr. John Lotka
Mr. Joseph Machado
Lesley Quinchia
Mr. Val Sender
Mr. Robert Walsh
Mr. Vincent Bono
Mr. Alan Parisse
Mr. Robert Perodeau
Mr and Mrs. Robert Candido
Ms. Robyn Carlo
Sitkowski and Malboeuf Funeral Home
Scanlon Funeral Home
Mr. Roland Malboeuf
Mr. and Mrs. Dan O'Connor
