CFLR In Action

Utica, New York (March 2025) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will hold its Annual Awareness Breakfast – “Breaking the Silence: Stories that Defy Stigma” on Tuesday, April 8^th at 8:15 am at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro, and is open to the public. This signature event, which coincides with Alcohol Awareness Month, also recognizes the contributions of the community in helping support our agency’s vision to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. There will also be informational booths from service providers from all over Mohawk Valley and Central NY, providing information on recovery and prevention services.

This year, the Amethyst Award and the Paul Dunn Advocacy Award will be presented to two members of our community who have helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders.

The Paul Dunn Advocacy Award is named after long-time CFLR Board member Paul Dunn as a tribute to his unending commitment to advocacy and recovery efforts in our community. Dr. Marianne Buttenschon, recipient of the Paul Dunn Advocacy Award and Assemblywoman for New York’s 119th District, brings over 30 years of experience in education and public service. Prior to her election in 2018, she served as Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College. A lifelong educator, Marianne earned degrees from Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Binghamton University, and Northeastern University. Marianne’s work focuses on community development, education, public safety, and fighting hunger, as seen in her role with the Utica Community Food Pantry and her efforts to improve local food distribution. Marianne played a pivotal role in passing Erin’s Law, which mandates public facilities to carry lifesaving opioid antagonists like Naloxone/Narcan. This law honors Erin, a young woman who tragically lost her life to an overdose, and is a testament to Marianne’s dedication to public health and safety. She is also a member of various caucuses and organizations working to ensure transparency, fairness, and opportunities for all her constituents in the diverse 119th District.

Ernest (Ernie) Lowenkopf will receive the Amethyst Award. Mr. Lowenkopf received multiple nominations this year. One of his nominators said, “Ernie is deserving of the Amethyst Award because of his outstanding contributions to the field of addiction and mental health. At Helio Health, Ernie consistently demonstrates exceptional commitment going above and beyond to individuals get the services/support they need.” Ernie has spent nearly five years in the human services and behavioral health field, focusing on supporting individuals in recovery. A person with lived experience in substance use, mental health disorders, and justice involvement, he blends personal insight with professional expertise. Starting as an RA at the Rescue Mission of Utica, he developed a passion for helping vulnerable populations and continues working there part-time. Ernie completed CRPA training in 2020 and became a Recovery Peer Advocate with CFLR in 2021. He worked with Insights of Helio Health in various roles, eventually becoming a Counselor 1 Clinic Assessor in February of this year. Ernie also works part-time for CNY Youth Connections and is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor-Trainee (CASAC-T), holding multiple certifications in recovery coaching. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, making people laugh, and spending time with family.

Tickets to this signature event are $40 and are still available for purchase. The last day to register as a sponsor is March 17^th, and tickets/sponsorships can be purchased by clicking here.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Rome, NY (February 2025) — The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR), in collaboration with the City of Rome and the Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition, will host the Winter Bash on February 20th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Kennedy Arena, located at 500 W. Embargo St. in Rome. This exciting event aims to provide local youth and their families with a day of fun and free activities during the mid-winter break. Families will enjoy a variety of activities, including crafts, giveaways, and live music. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local agencies to learn about the various services available in the community.

A major highlight of the Winter Bash will be free open ice skating from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, offering families a chance to enjoy the rink together. In addition, there will be complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn available, with additional concessions for sale.

Ryan Hickey, the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Rome, shared his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The City of Rome is looking forward to working with CFLR again this year. They are an amazing organization. Teamwork isn’t just about work; it’s the heartbeat of every great success story!” Cassandra Sheets, the CEO of CFLR, echoed similar sentiments, adding, “This event is something fun for area kids and their families to do during the February mid-winter break. Youth in Oneida County need more opportunities to get out in the community, have fun and build positive memories, and this event offers all of those things!”

The Winter Bash promises to be a memorable event for families in Rome, providing fun, entertainment, and resources to help build stronger community connections. For more information on this event, contact CFLR’s Prevention Community Educator, Ashley Neuschel, by calling: 315-733-1709 or emailing: aneuschel@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Utica, New York (January 2025) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is seeking nominations for the 2025 Amethyst Award. Nominees for the Amethyst Award are members of our community who have helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and chemical dependency, as well as treatment and prevention. The Amethyst Award was inspired by the Amethyst stone which has become a symbol of recovery. If you know someone you feel is worthy of the Amethyst award, please submit a nomination today.

Nominations can be submitted on CFLR, Inc.’s website,www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com using the link at the top or using this link:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AmethystAwardNominationsNominations will be accepted through February 24, 2025. The awards will be presented at Center for Family Life and Recovery’s 2025 April Awareness Breakfast to be held on April 8^th at Hart’s Hill Inn, in Whitesboro and is open to the public. The theme for this year’s breakfast is “Breaking the Silence: Stories that Defy Stigma.” Ticket information is available on CFLR’s website and by calling the Utica office: 315-733-1709.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Rome, NY (February 2025) — The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) is proud to announce the hosting of a special Black Balloon Day Reception on March 6th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Rome Life Center located at 201 West Dominick Street to commemorate those lost to addiction and raise awareness about the ongoing opioid epidemic. This heartfelt event will be free and open to the public, featuring a unique display of artwork created by local community members and a moving installation of black balloons, each representing a life lost to substance use.

In preparation for the event, CFLR will be hosting three different H.O.P.E events dedicated to encouraging the community to create artwork to be displayed at the reception. H.O.P.E events provide a space for individuals of all backgrounds to come together and express their feelings, memories and support through creative expression. These will be offered on February 10^th from 4:30 pm to 6:00pm and February 13^th from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the Rome Life Center in addition to on February 24^th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Our Saviour Church in Utica. The pieces created during these events will be showcased at the Black Balloon Day reception, allowing attendees to reflect on the impact of addiction and honor the lives of those lost.

Guests at the reception will have the opportunity to purchase black balloons, with all proceeds benefiting the Erin’s Light Fund – a charitable initiative dedicated to providing resources and support to individuals and families impacted by substance use and/or addiction. The black balloons, symbolic of the grief and loss experienced by so many, will also serve as a visual tribute to loved ones lost, allowing attendees to honor those who are no longer with us. For those that cannot make the in-person reception, there will be an opportunity to purchase virtual balloons all day and can be purchased by visiting: centerforfamilylifeandrecoverycflr-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1292201.

“We are excited to host these H.O.P.E events as part of our Black Balloon Day programming,” said Katie Rodriguez, CFLR’s Recovery Coordinator. “Black Balloon Day not only gives us a chance to remember those we have lost but also reminds us that we have the power to make a difference in the fight against addiction. Through these events and the Erin’s Light Fund, we are creating opportunities for healing, support, and collective action.”

Black Balloon Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing addiction epidemic, offering a chance for anyone in the community to contribute to a collective effort to de-stigmatize addiction, promote healing, and support those affected by substance use disorders. By participating in this event, whether through creating artwork, purchasing a virtual or in-person balloon, or simply attending, you can play a pivotal role in sparking conversations, spreading compassion,n and inspiring positive change in our community.

For more information about the Black Balloon Day reception, H.O.P.E events, and/or the Erin’s Light Fund, please contact Katie Rodriguez, CFLR Recovery Coordinator by calling: 315-733-1709 or e-mailing: krodriguez@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and employee assistance programs. Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction and recovery, mental health, and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness, and transform lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com