|
|
2nd Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony
Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program (HDAP) conducted its 2nd Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony, April 24th, 2007 at the Hunterdon County Administration Complex on Rt. 12.
This program was made to honor the graduates of HDAP's Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs. This is certainly not
an easy accomplishment as clients must remain sober after successfully completing treatment. These clients also made positive life changes in many other areas of their lives such as
education, work, social relations, family relations, and a dramatic reduction of recidivism in the legal system. NOTE: Current and former HDAP clients are not pictured due to reasons of confidentiality.
Each graduate was awarded a graduation certificate, along with a small token of HDAP's appreciation. Each graduate was given the chance to speak, and many spoke eloquently of their struggles with
addiction, and their own personal road back in their recovery process. These speeches were moving, funny, and brought home what our job at HDAP is all about, helping productive members of the
greater Hunterdon County community get back on their feet and take back their lives.
Back to the Top of the Page
Frank P. Masterson, Jr. Award
Another function of this 2nd Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony was to highlight personal achievement by a community member who helped our clients out in their
struggle to overcome their addiction and resume their lives. This award is aimed at highlighting people on the front lines working with our clients, who show
great leadership potential, and more importantly a strong sense of caring and commitment to the clients they serve. This award is entitled the
Frank P. Masterson, Jr. Recognition of Achievement Award. From 1970 - 1977 twelve young people’s lives were lost in Lambertville due to drug related deaths. Frank helped to found
Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program in 1977 after a small group of concerned community leaders felt there was a need for a substance abuse program in the Lambertville area. Frank has served on
the HDAP's Board of Directors from 1977 until today as Vice President of the Board. A large program based out of Atlantic City called Narco (name now changed
to Institute for Human Development) sponsored Frank and the other community leader's idea and gave the program a small grant to help in treating Hunterdon County Residents. Our first office opened in Lambertville
in 1977 and as our services expanded, so did area support and interest. In 1981 we were incorporated as an independent treatment and prevention agency serving Hunterdon County and surrounding
areas under a local Board of Directors. In 1984, having outgrown our original office space, we moved to our current location. Today Frank is fully retired, 93 years of age and still active on many
boards and community functions such as the HDAP Board of Directors and the Human Services Advisory Council.
Back to the Top of the Page
Michael J. Griffin Recognition Ceremony
Michael J. Griffin has been on the Board of HDAP since 1989. He is a retired bank president and current financial consultant. Mr. Griffin has an extensive history of banking accomplishments.
From 1990 to 2000 Mr. Griffin served as one of five national spokesmen for the American Bankers Association of Washington, D.C. The ABA is the largest trade association for America’s banking
industry. At age 31, Mr. Griffin had achieved the record of being the youngest Commercial Bank President and CEO in the State of New Jersey. Mr. Griffin is currently a Board & Executive Committee
member of Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program. He is also on the Hunterdon Health Care System Strategic Planning Committee and a Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation Board Member. However, the recognition
given to Mr. Griffin is for his substantial body of work at HDAP. He began his Board tenure in 1989 and has been past Board President on more than one occassion. He helped to raise tens of thousands
of dollars for HDAP during this time. In 1998, HDAP suffered a financial setback when a fire broke out at another office in 8 Main Street. The financial problems did not go away quickly, but it was the
hard work of the Board of Directors, led by Mr. Griffin, to bring HDAP back from this setback. Mr. Griffin did a lot of hands on work restructuring the financial runnings of HDAP and his role was crucial
bringing HDAP back to its former reputation and functionality. It is because of this work that thousands of people have been positively impacted by the work HDAP does in its role as prevention, intervention,
and treatment provider in Hunterdon County. Mr. Griffin was given both the Frank P. Masterson Jr. Award, and was recognized by the Honorable Senator Lance, who had a NJ State Senate proclamation honoring
Mr. Griffin's accomplishments.
Back to the Top of the Page
Graduates and Growth
This years 2nd Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony saw a tripling of the numbers that we had last year at our ceremony. This occurred for many reasons. Like any project that
starts out new, things start small and modest. As each year occurs, improvements in our ceremony will occur. We also had a tremendous outpouring of family support during this year's ceremony. Last year
family members were also there to support the graduates, but this year it appeared extended family was also present for some of the graduates. There were also more graduates this year, which accounts for
our more structured approach to running this ceremony. Over 60 graduates, family members, friends, graduate alumni, probation officials, sponsors, HDAP staff and board members were in attendance this year. HDAP staff and board would like
to extend our sincere thanks to the graduates and their support network. Recovery from substance abuse/dependence is not an easy task for anybody. However, it is the support of significant people in one's life that
helps the recovery process become more successful. HDAP's graduation ceremony is undergoing a transformation and growth process which we see all the time when working with our clients. Personal growth is key
to addiction recovery being successful and to its longevity ... one day a time of course. :)
Back to the Top of the Page
Food and Cleanup
A great spread was again provided by Buddy's Grab 'N Go on Main Street in Flemington, and a graduation cake was presented to the graduates. Our Office Manager Cindi McCormack provided home made buffalo wings that were gone
by the end of the ceremony. Clinical Director Jass Pelland had a theme of giving back, which is a central concept in addictions recovery. HDAP gave back that night by giving most leftovers to Anderson House, a halfway home for women in Hunterdon County. Afterwards, HDAP conducted what most programs do and utilized their intern
the best way we know how, helping to both organize the event and help clean up. Interns have been a key to HDAP and a key to this graduation ceremony. Last year's intern, now part-time staff member, Frank Greenagel is the person who recommended
HDAP do a graduation, and a driving force behind both graduation ceremonies occurring. This year, another intern (Darryl Coleman), was the person who organized and did a bulk of the work to make this years ceremony
so successful. We are grateful for all our staff and grateful to all those who put in the work needed to make this year's ceremony a great event. Below are members
of the graduation committee and other HDAP staff members who made significant contributions that helped make this ceremony such a successful event. I would like to thank all of the HDAP staff for their
help and their role in making this event such a resounding success. It is due to the dedication and professionalism of the HDAP that make us
one of the best (if not the best in my humble opinion) treatment providers not only in Hunterdon County but throughout the State of New Jersey. - Glenn Duncan, Executive Director
Back to the Top of the Page
Staff Event Recognition
We would like to recognize the people that made this event possible, from conceptual ideas to the actual participation in HDAP's
2nd Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony. They are (in alphabetical order):
- Darryl Coleman - Event Coordinator
- Tara Dyer
- Greg Fox
- Frank Greenagel - Committee Chair
- Mary Hanley
- Mark Hodkinson
- Cindi McCormack
- Patty McDonnell
- Jass Pelland
- Michael Perrone
- Jill Piperata
Back to the Top of the Page
This Page was
specifically designed for 1024x768 Screen Resolution using Internet Explorer v6.0 or higher, Netscape v7.1 or higher, or Opera v7.2 or higher.
Click Here for more information on viewing requirements or other webisite technical assistance.
Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program, Inc.
8 Main Street, Suite 7
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 1-908-788-1900
Fax: 1-908-788-3836
info@hdap.org
Glenn Duncan, Executive Director
|
