As we approach the new year, we are taking a look back at everything that has happened at Daystar Center for Recovery in 2021 and thanking those who helped make all these amazing accomplishments possible. With the support of so many individuals and local businesses, we have been able to help our clients build a healthy, substance-free, independent lifestyle.
December is National Giving Month and we hope that you will consider a donation to Daystar to help us promote a healthier sense of self-esteem, self-respect, and self-discipline for individuals recovering from substance use disorders so that next year, Pennsylvania won’t be 5th in the nation for overdose deaths. Places like Daystar exist to help our clients put into practice those recovery-oriented living skills that lead to meaningful lifestyle changes. Will you help us with this important work? Visit our site to learn how you can help and to donate today.
December is National Giving Month and we hope that you will consider a donation to Daystar to help us promote a healthier sense of self-esteem, self-respect, and self-discipline for individuals recovering from substance use disorders so that next year, Pennsylvania won’t be 5th in the nation for overdose deaths. Places like Daystar exist to help our clients put into practice those recovery-oriented living skills that lead to meaningful lifestyle changes. Will you help us with this important work? Visit our site to learn how you can help and to donate today.
One of the biggest accomplishments of the past year was organizing our first-ever charity golf tournament on October 9 at Armitage Golf Club in Mechanicsburg. Through the generosity of 17 sponsors (see list below) and the participation of 68 golfers, we raised $25,814 to continue our mission to help people recovering from substance use disorders find the daily life skills, guidance, and support needed to recover their lives. We look forward to hosting the second annual golf outing in the fall of 2022. Keep your eyes open for a save the date message to be released soon!
- Pro-A
- VibraLife
- Daflure Heating & Air Conditioning
- Chambers Hill United Methodist Church
- M28 Ministry
- Orrstown Bank
- Strites’ Orchard Farm Market and Bakery
- Winnsupply
- AmeriChoice FCU
- Bathfitter
- Cipriani & Werner
- D’Angelo Realty Group
- IDC Promotional Products
- PNC Bank
- Randstad
- Ridge Firearms
- Tannenbaums
We are also excited about the purchase of a building in Harrisburg that will be the home of a new gender-specific treatment center for women, scheduled to open late summer / early fall 2022. The new facility will be named after the daughter of our CEO, Fern Wilcox, and her husband, Thomas. Rachael was in recovery from substance use for 11 years prior to her passing in 2019 from melanoma. Although she is dearly missed, it is comforting to know her passion for recovery will live on through her legacy of Rachael’s House.
As we look back at 2021, we would like to acknowledge a few of the other accomplishments our team made happen this year:
- No COVID-19 cases! Daystar acted quickly to the CDC guidelines, even going a step further to protect the safety of our clients. We regularly sanitized the facilities, imposed a limit on outside activities, made free testing available to all our clients, and implemented an intense contact tracing program to drastically reduce the potential risk of exposure, keeping our staff and residents safe through an uncertain year.
- Facility upgrades – We installed new flooring at the Larry Coleman House (i.e., the Walnut Street Recovery House), did concrete work at the Canby Street Recovery House, painted and remodeled the main facility, enhanced our landscaping, and added new furniture as needed.
- Continued education for staff – Ron Sloane earned his Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation, Chris Benedetto earned his Certified Associate Addictions Counselor (CAAC) designation, and Steve Slater and Derek Singleton both earned their Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) designation. These certifications not only benefit the staff who earn them but provide an elevated level of care to our clients as well.
It is no surprise that we had so many good news stories in 2021, but unfortunately not everyone is so lucky. The substance use disorder crisis is still strong in Pennsylvania, and many lost their struggle. If your loved one succumbed to their substance use disorder in 2021 and you would like to memorialize them through a gift to Daystar, please visit our site. We will be listing the names of all these victims on our website in 2022 so that they can be remembered and perhaps help inspire others struggling with substance use disorders find the help they need to get clean and sober.
Thank you for your continued support of our vital, life-changing work. We wish you the absolute best for 2022 and beyond!