The Think of Michael Foundation and A Healthy Lynnfield have announced that the seventh annual Night of Hope event in observance of National Recovery Month will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Lynnfield Middle School. There will be resource tables staffed by local treatment providers who will offer information about mental health issues and substance use disorders. All attendees will receive free T-shirts and a votive.
At 6 p.m., participants will walk to the Town Common, where speakers will share their recovery stories. The community is invited to come out and show support for those who struggle every day to reclaim their lives from substance use disorders and to celebrate hard-fought successes for those who remain substance free.
As an awareness-raising event and family event, parents are encouraged to start conversations early with their children about healthy choices and the impact substance use can have.
“I lost my son, Michael, to an opioid overdose in 2018,” said Carmela Dalton of the Think of Michael Foundation. “After the shock of his passing, our family decided to do something in his memory. We partnered with A Healthy Lynnfield and created Night of Hope. Through this event, we have raised awareness within the community and that in turn has had a positive impact on the stigma associated with addiction.”
A Healthy Lynnfield Program Coordinator Diana DeLeo said, “Millions of people in the U.S. struggle every day with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. A Night of Hope is a time to bring the community together, to uplift those on their journey in fighting this disease and to celebrate their successes with love and hope.”
She added, “It also serves to help reduce stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders. Both organizations are continuing to make a difference with increased education and access to treatment.”
The Think of Michael Foundation provides scholarships to Sober House living, which is not covered by insurance. For many, it is an invaluable part of their transition to sobriety.For event information, contact Dalton at cmdalton@thinkofmichael.org or DeLeo at deleod@lynnfield.k12.ma.us.
