Rome, NY (February 2026) — The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) is honored to announce the hosting of a special Black Balloon Day Brunch on March 5th from 10:00am to 12:00pm 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.
Guests at the brunch 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. CFLR welcomes you to bring a wallet size photo of your loved one to be placed on your balloon to continue his or her fond memory. For those that cannot make the in-person reception, there will be an opportunity to purchase virtual balloons all day and the following day. These can be purchased by visiting: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cflrsblackballoondaybrunch/.
“For Black Balloon Day, we pause not only to grieve the lives lost to overdose, but to honor the love, the stories, and the humanity behind every name,” said Katie Rodriguez, CFLR’s Co-Director of Recovery and Community Service. “I stand with our community in remembrance and in action. We will continue to fight stigma, expand access to recovery, and hold hope for every individual and family impacted. Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard. And every recovery is possible.”
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 and inspiring positive change in our community. For more information about the Black Balloon Day reception and/or the Erin’s Light Fund, please contact Katie Rodriguez, Co-Director of Recovery and Community Service by calling: 315-795-5229 or e-mailing: [email protected].
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.