UMADAOP Stars Honoree Gala

Lima UMADAOP Presents: UMADAOP Stars honoree gala 2023

TREATMENT CENTER

LIMA'S Mission

TREATMENT CENTER

Integrity, like a strong tree, stands tall.

The Joshua Treatment Center's commitment, commitment, integrity, stewardship, and resiliency are the core values of who we are. We provide . We provide culturally appropriate treatment and recovery services to African and Hispanic American communities in Ohio.

CONTACT: 350 South Irwin Road, Holland OH 43528 | 567-703-9064

TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 09 UMADAOP Stars Honoree Gala

Lima UMADAOP Mission

Denise’s Biography

UMADAOP Stars Honoree Gala Agenda

Aaron’s Biography

Brian’s Biography

Yolanda’s Biography

Tabatha’s Biography

Danielle’s Biography

Ronrick’s Biography

Misti’s Biography

Thomas’s Biography

Melissa’s Biography

Congratulations from Myrtle

Sharonda’s Biography

India’s Biography

All of us are like stars, and we have the right to shine

A t Lima UMADAOP, our mission is to create a safer and healthier community by reducing the incidence and prevalence of violence, poly substance use/abuse, and the negative effects they impose on at-risk individuals and families. We are committed to implementing evidence-based strategies that prioritize harm reduction and well-being. Through our dedicated efforts, we strive to provide a nonjudgmental and supportive environment where individuals and families facing vulnerabilities can find resources, education, and assistance tailored to their unique needs. Our harm reduction approach is rooted in compassion, understanding, and the belief that every step towards positive change matters. We recognize that complete elimination of certain behaviors might not always be immediately achievable, but we firmly believe that by taking incremental steps towards harm reduction, we can significantly improve lives and promote a sense of empowerment. Our programs and services are designed to foster self-awareness, provide access to resources, and create a platform for open dialogue, enabling individuals and families to make informed decisions about their well-being. Through partnerships with the community, medical professionals, social services, and other stakeholders, we aim to be a driving force in reducing harm related to violence and poly substance use/abuse. By offering a range of harm reduction strategies, counseling, education, and advocacy, we endeavor to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all. Join us in our mission to empower individuals and families, promote informed choices, and foster a community that thrives on harm reduction and well-being. Together, we can make a lasting impact and pave the way for a healthier future. Mission

Lima UMADAOP Presents: UMADAOP Stars Honoree Gala Aria Banquet Hall 5969 Telegraph Rd., Toledo, OF 43612 Sept 30, 2023

From 6pm - Midnight Speaker David Whiters

Agenda - September 30, 2023 5:30 PM................................................................. Doors Open 6:00 PM.......................................... Prayer and Dinner Served 7:30 PM..................................................... UMADAOP History 8:00 PM..................................................... Open to the Public 8:30 PM...................................................................... Speaker 9:00 PM......................................................................... Dance

Speaker: David Whiters David has 39 years of long-term recovery from addiction. He sustains his recovery by being active in a 12-step recovery program and by being active in his faith. David has been active in the addiction recovery movement as an advocate for individuals and family members impacted by addiction since 2001. He utilizes his lived experiences to motivate substance users to a point where they begin to see value in recovery. David is an experienced trainer on Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), Peer-based Addiction Recovery Support Services (P-BRSS), and infectious disease prevention and education, both domestically and internationally. He currently works as a Private Practice Recovery Coach, serving primarily, but not exclusively, African American adult males impacted by substance use disorders.

BRIAN My name is Brian Pitts and I entered Joshua treatment center on December 4, 2019, sick and suffering while in treatment. I learned different things about what I suffer from and new life skills and how to deal with my shit disease here the staff there was very helpful help me understand more about myself and what it was going to take for me to stay clean up on leaving Joshua treatment center. I went to the Beacon House which is associated also with Joshua Treatment Center. I stayed there for two years as I continued to learn about Recovery and while there they helped me to reestablish myself in society I got a job, my first car, and since then have been at my job for the past three years since I bought a house I’ve gotten married, and now it’s continuing on and Recovery will have four years clear this com- ing December 4. By the grace of God, I will be forever grateful for Joshua Treatment Center which helped save my life.

DANIELLE “ I started my healing in recovery many years ago however it didn’t truly happen until 2009 when i came to the Phoenix House for the second time. I am a 48 year old strong courageous fierce women in recovery as of July 29, 2009. I am a mother sister grandmother friend employee and a believer in Jesus. The Phoenix House was where i learned all of these things. How to be and how to continue to be the woman i wanted to be. I continued my journey by helping others in recovery in 2012 when i became and employee of Lima Umadaop and i am still helping others in recovery as an Alumni director. I am one of the ones who ignored the glass ceiling and i am evolving daily. Life has been a wave of ups and downs but through it all i remained humble and grateful. I am a woman with a voice and my past no longer defines me.”

MISTI I am Misti B., and I am a grateful recovering addict in the process of recovery. I came to Joshua Treatment Center on 06/28/2022 be- cause my life was out of control and I saw no hope for me. My clean date is 06/29/2022. I went into Detox and Residential treatment for 30 days. Upon my completion I chose to participate in sober living out of desperation and the desire to remain clean and sober. I was scared to death. This was the furthest I have been from my family in a very long time. I am grateful for the staff and my peers within Sandy’s House. It has been an experience I never expected. When I came to sober living I had never rode a bus. I had such anxiety when we had to go as a house to meetings via the bus. On my sec- ond day of riding the bus, I had a severe panic attack. I crouched down into a standing fetal position, using coping skills given to me, only for the sprinkler system to go off and soak me from head to toe. I took that as a sign from my higher power, that I was doing the right thing, I have learned while being in treatment/sober living that I do not ever have to use again, all the bridges I burned in my active addiction can and are being rebuilt in a more healthy positive way. I also learned I am worthy of a sober, productive life. I began working 2 days per week, in the beginning this was a lot! Then I be- gan to have a desire for more, more days and higher wages, I moved to another job (without being fired, I left on good terms) today I am an assistant Manager of an entire coffee shop. Which brings me to the best feeling in the world, going from one of the counted outs, to being a counted on!

MELISSA I am a grateful recovering addict named Melissa. Even though I survived every abuse known to man and the depths of my children, because of Joshua Treatment Center I became a true, independent woman. Joshua Treatment Center has taught me to stand up for myself and I still have a voice today. After completing residential, PHP, IOP and Op (currently in AC) I have become Resident Advi- sor of Sandy's House(sober living). One thing being the Resident Advisor has taught me is to be patient and tolerant of others. The most important thing I have learned is “recovery” is the key to life and the most important thing I have learned is that the “key” to recovery is to “not use” but the next thing is “Love and Respect”. Today I am in the process of obtaining my GED because I want a career today, I have goals today. I have a passion to help children/ young ladies and assisting them through their pain and hardships in life, be a teacher to them by modeling good behaviors and listen- ing to them, as I have been taught by other ladies coming through life. I am somebody today! I am no longer a Nobody that the world can not see or hear. I say thank you to all staff at Joshua Treatment Center who never gave up on me and refused to let me give up on myself.

SHERONDA My name is Sheronda Krug in 2020 I went to Joshua treatment cen- ter where they helped me to get clean I mean I've been trying for 40 years to no avail but now I'm 3 years clean I have an apartment I'm doing so well and if you want recovery go to umadaop.org to umadaop and try to get yourself clean if you want recovery they will help you thank you!

INDIA My name is India Nicole Carter, I am a 41 year old Alcoholic Addict with 4 children, Shatarra (18) Nyara (12) DeVaun (07) MiLynn (05). I came to Joshua Treatment Center in 2021 and completed 30 days of Residential treatment. I took it as a joke and celebrated my comple- tion by going straight to the liquor. Everything was fun and games for a very short time until Lucas County Children’s services came and removed my children from my care. This is when my life got a lot worse. I fell into a deep depression and began drinking more and began to give up on myself. I just stopped caring about anything. Then my babies started getting mistreated in the foster care home they were placed in, I found myself deeper in the bottle. That is when I realized that I was tired mentally, physically and emotionally. I sur- rendered, I called Joshua Treatment Center and re-entered 30 days of Residential Treatment. I made a different decision this time, upon my completion, I went straight to Lima UMADAOP. I had to get out of my comfort zone. After being there a couple of weeks, I was ready to give up and come back to Toledo, I thought I was not ready. Then I realized, not only did I need treatment and structure, I needed my babies. I stayed and after a short time I did not want to even see Toledo again. I started wanting to get better, think better, feel better and see things from a sober side, a feeling I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I must admit, for a while I was “Just in the program,” then I started “Working the program”. 10/04/2021 I entered the recovery house in Lima. I got my babies back in November of 2023. I got a job at Speedway gas station, as of 09/19/2023, I am a licensed driver. To- day, I am no-longer called Nikki, that is a name I called myself in my active addiction. I love to be called India today because India is who I was trying all those years to find. Today please call me India Carter.

DENISE I am a grateful recovering addict named Denise Jones. I was raised in Toledo, Ohio in a 2 parent household. I am #5 of 9 children. Growing up I was rebel- lious, I was always in trouble. A lot of the times I did not cause trouble. If one of us kids did something my father would not ask no questions, just whoop us all. My thinking was, I am going to get a whooping anyways, so I did what I wanted. When I became an adult I began smoking marijuana, I did not like the feeling,then I was introduced to crack-cocaine. I enjoyed the feeling, be- cause for those few minutes, in my mind, all my problems went away. I know now how silly that thinking was. The crack began to alter my mind. I could not take care of my patients any more, then I decided to stop and quickly real- ized I could not stop. This continued for a long time. When I realized I could not stop, I decided to come to Joshua Treatment Center for treatment and help stopping..I chose treatment in desperation.; While in treatment I learned a lot. Upon my completion of 30 days Residential treatment I chose to continue with out-patient treatment and sober living. I was so angry with myself even after 30 days in treatment. In sober living I continued to do what I wanted instead of following rules, directions and suggestions. When it came time for weekend passes, I could not go, I was on restriction. I received restrictions from passes, phone. Every time I went somewhere, I had to go with staff, so needless to say, many times I said “I am leaving” “I am a grown woman”. However, there was something about when the head man over the houses came and said to me” You

do one more thing, I do not care how much you cry, who you have called me,(to include the housing staff) I am going to kick your butt out of here.” It was right then right there, I realized and cried and made a decision to surrender. I began to get busy. I started making sober support calls (as requested )Obtained a sponsor and started to build my sober support system, chose a home group, got involved with doing service work. I got comfortable with being clean and sober. I love meetings and the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship. I got to as many sober functions as possible. I attend conventions, all over, I am GSR for my home group and I attend as many meetings as possible. I have recently moved into my own apartment and in a very short time I will be a license driver again. I have goals today, I know this works, so I stay in the process today and welcome change because I love the changes I have made in my life today.

AARON My name is Aaron Mays. I came to UMADAOP in November 2014 after struggling with drug addiction for over 40years. In that 40years I was incarcerated over 25 years. I was terrified of becom- ing institutionalized. I was in a 30 day program and was about to come home. I was terrified because I knew I was going to use again but didn’t want to. I went to a counselor and told her about my fear. She told me about the UMADAOP one year program. I didn’t want to go because it was a controlled environment which to me I was institutionalized. I’m glad I went because it was the best decision I ever made in my life. After graduation I was 53 years old. Now I am 62 living my best life. I have almost 9 years clean thanks to the UMADAOP program which saved my life. I continue to be a success story. I thank the program And will always have love and respect for UMADAOP. PS It would be an honor to come please send me time and place.

YOLANDA My name is Yolanda Brown. I began abusing drugs at the age of 33, when most people were busy getting their lives together, mine be- gan to spiral out of control. My one and only sister passed away, I became depressed,angry and lonely. I began a vicious cycle of drugs, alcohol and men. All this to cover the pain and misery I was going through. Over the last 20 years, I have been in and out of various dope houses, jobs, rehabs and relationships looking for a solution, only adding to my problem. At 46 years old, I gave birth to a beau- tiful baby girl, who is now in the custody of her cousin due to the decisions I chose to make while in active addiction. With the help of my family I found Joshua Treatment Center. I went not once, not twice but three times. By the third time, I knew I was DONE. I was ready to surrender after my last 30 days at Joshua Treatment Center. I went to Lima UMADAOP, to participate in sober living. I joined Lucas County Family Drug Court and never looked back. Today, I graduated from Drug Court. I have a wonderful Sponsor and an amazing support system. I recently was granted a new court date for my daughter and I celebrate 10 months clean and sober. Only through God’s grace and mercy that any of this is possible, for this I have found Yolanda Brown who went missing, I am Yolanda Brown a grateful recovering addict.

TABATHA

My name is Tabatha H. I am a grateful recovering addict with 10 months clean and sober. I came to Joshua Treatment Center running from a woman I had become, who I did not like. All I know is I wanted to stop doing drugs and be a mother to my son and a wife to my hus- band. I had done so many drugs and in the course of doing these drugs, I was forced to do a lot of things I am not proud of, things I would have never done had I not been on the drugs. I also en- dured some much trauma, something I never thought I would/ could ever recover from. Coming to Joshua Treatment Center/ Sandy sober living house was my last chance to make things right with my family and my husband. There were so many things I did not understand about recovery and people kept telling me, “Keep coming back.” I misbehaved when I first came, I did not follow any rules, Ms. Kathy and Ms. Taundra told me “Stop using your disability as a “excuse” and a reason not to recover.” As time went along, I came to understand I was using my disability as an excuse. I have learned a lot being in recovery, the most important thing I learned was “ I, Tabatha H. is worthy of recovery and I can do this with help” I started out doing this because I wanted to get home to my son “Timmy” and my husband. I learned if Tabatha is not ok, Tabatha can not be the mother and wife I need to be.” “I thank everyone who has helped me in my journey so far, I have a long way to go, but. I am doing it.”

RONRICK I am a recovering addict. My clean date i8s 11/16/19. O)n 11/15/19 is when I made the decision to allow someone to help me with my addiction and that person is my sister. I was sitting on my couch in Pittsburgh, PA tired of a lot of things and someone, something told me to call my sister to let her know I needed her help, she thought I needed her help for something else, I ex- plained, NO, I have relapsed and her suggestion to me was to “Stop what I was doing and pack a bag and go to my mothers house until the morning and she would have a bus ticket waiting at the bus station for me to come to Toledo, Ohio the very next day. My sister stated to me “ Now, you tried it your way, now try it my way.`` This is where my journey began. As I arrived in Toledo, Ohio I went to Joshua Treatment Center and was accepted but I couldn’t stay at the agency, however I could stay at “this house”. It was a sober living house. When I got there they medically checked me out and discovered my blood sugar was a 600! Joshua Treatment Center sent me directly to the hospital to get treated, I did. I was then able to move into the sober living house, enroll in out-patient treatment for IOP and OP treatment 3 to 4 times weekly. I successfully completed Josh- ua Treatment Center and continued to do everything I needed to do. I am an addict who went from being a Resident of the Beacon House, to rent- ing the entire house4. Today, I am going on 4 years of clean, (uninterrupted) I would like to thank those; Myrtle Boykin Lighton, My sister, Dr. Markeetaq Robinson, Miss. Taundra Ezell and Mr. Louis Allen Jr., for all their love and support they have given me along my journey.

THOMAS Hi my name is Thomas Garner iii how I got to Joshua treatment center was I kept getting high but I did not like it than I told my- self l was going to stop getting hi but I couldn’t stop that when I new I had a problem with drugs so I admit myself into treatment center did 30days than I continue my outpatient and going to meetings and still going to group and meetings as of now the end

S ervices Our

TREATMENT CENTER

The Joshua Treatment Center provides hope and support to individuals and families that are struggling with addiction. Helping by guiding them through a structured process of treatment for healing and empowerment. The program services that are offered address addiction and related issues, increase vocational skills, manage stressors, develop meaningful links to needed services, and ultimately support lasting recovery. Teaching individuals to take responsibility for their actions; to examine and confront the values, beliefs and attitudes that contribute to those actions; and to develop positive alternatives to destructive environmental factors.

350 South Irwin Road, Holland OH 43528 567-703-9064 CONTACT

W e are incredibly proud of your recovery achieve- ment and accomplishment. Although we know it’s a one day at a time program, we appreciate the contri- butions and efforts that you’ve shown through your ongoing commitment and effort to your recovery. Ac - knowledging your milestones, we pleasingly present you with the UMADAOP Stars Recovery Award.

Please accept this award as our kind and sincere ap- preciation for your continuous; loyalty and dedication to maintain recovery and most importantly being an active and positive giver to God, family, society, and self.

Thank you for being a valuable member of society. You are worth the Fight. Dreams come true in recovery. Never forget. Shoot for the moon if you fall, you’ll still land among the stars. God Bless

Myrtle B. Lighton, CEO

L ima UMADAOP is deeply committed to its primary purpose: increasing community understanding of substance abuse through comprehensive education and awareness programs, breaking down barriers that hinder early identification and treatment, delivering targeted prevention initiatives for youth, and enhanc - ing the awareness and sensitivity of human service providers. In alignment with our purpose, we firmly believe in a harm reduction approach that centers on empathy, collaboration, and pragmatic steps towards a healthier community. Our commitment to harm reduction serves as the foundation of all our endeavors, reflecting our dedication to the well-being of individuals, families, and the community at large. We recognize that substance abuse is a complex issue that requires multifaceted solutions. By prioritiz - ing harm reduction, we acknowledge that the journey towards recovery may involve incremental changes and setbacks. Through our programs and services, we aim to create an environment that fosters open dialogue, embraces diverse perspectives, and offers nonjudgmental support to individuals and families on their unique paths to well-being. Our harm reduction strategies are designed to reduce the negative consequences associated with substance abuse while promoting safer choices. We believe that by providing education, resources, and avenues for early intervention, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and future. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. We work hand in hand with the community, youth, families, and human service providers to cultivate an environment where compassion, understanding, and shared knowledge lead the way. By offering prevention programs, reducing stigma, and enhancing the skills of service providers, we collectively contribute to a healthier and more resilient community. Join us in embracing the principles of harm reduction as we strive to create positive change and build a community that values the well-being and dignity of every individual. Together, we can make lasting prog - ress towards reducing the impact of substance abuse and fostering a safer, healthier future for all. Purpose

limaumadaop.com

Allen Correctional Facility HONOREES: • Willie Carter • Grandviel Thomas

• Kenny Rose • David Rose • Kenneth Vicks • Eric Miller

CONTACT: 311 E Market St 3rd floor, Lima, OH 45801 | 1-888-728-2713

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