Accomplishments

Accomplishments

• Bridge2Hope
• July 17, 2015

          The goals for Bridge to Hope have been accompanied by significant accomplishments over the many years of its existence.  A number of them are listed below:

*Two members serve on a Pennsylvania state-wide parent panel (Parent Panel Advisory Council, aka PPAC) who submitted a working document to the PA legislature that recommended a workable plan for efficiently and adequately providing resources for families impacted by addiction.  The experience and education which came from Bridge to Hope members added significant value to this “first in the country” panel.

*Two members have been appointed and serve on the Allegheny County Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs (BDAP) advisory board.  Their contributions to this board have been enhanced by knowledge, experience and support received from membership in Bridge to Hope.

*Two members serve on the Allegheny County Multi-Agency Overdose Conference Committee, contributing to the creation of a strategic plan to reduce the number of deaths associated with drug overdose.

*A member serves on the Overdose Free PA Committee.

*A member serves as a parent coach for the Parent Support Network of the Partnership for Drug Free Kids.

*Members have conducted “outreach” as far away as Harrisburg and State College; attendees of BTH outreach sessions have included student assistance professionals (SAP) from universities, health care professionals from several organizations and the general public.  These sessions have enabled attendees to grasp family issues, which are often overlooked in the treatment of the addict.

*Members of Bridge to Hope have created a professional DVD that describes the group’s purpose and serves as an instructional video for groups wishing to form in other areas of the state and country.

*Bridge to Hope meetings are led by a professional facilitator who is experienced in the field of counseling and who has the ability to keep the meetings “on task” and relevant. 

*Bridge to Hope qualified for and was awarded a state grant (not renewed due to budget cutbacks) which was instrumental in enabling the purchase of business cards and publications for its library, the creation of promotional materials and the hiring of a professional facilitator.

*BTH has successfully kept the issue of family recovery “in the forefront” by hosting an annual Vigil of Hope program for the entire community.   These programs, designed to remember family members whose lives were lost to addiction, have been well attended and appreciated by all who participated.

*Members have established relationships with local, state and federal legislators through in-person meetings, presentations and testimony.

*BTH participated in an HBO special on addiction that won an Emmy award.

*BTH built a professionally developed website for people seeking information, help, resources, and other associated needs (Bridge2Hope.org).

          In every sense of the word, Bridge to Hope has shown itself to be innovative in its execution.  Unique when compared to other family support groups, there is a continuous focus on activism that goes way beyond the weekly meetings.  Bridge to Hope is concerned not only for its own group of members, but for the community, the state, and society at large and has continually demonstrated this commitment in the accomplishments noted above.

          The Bridge to Hope is an outreach program of Passavant Hospital Foundation.