|
|
5th Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony
Our 5th Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony was held April 13th, 2010 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. PLEASE NOTE: Current and former HDAP clients are either not pictured, or pictured in a way that protects their confidentiality.
Each graduate was awarded a graduation certificate, along with a small token of HDAP's appreciation. Each graduate was asked to speak, and all spoke eloquently of their struggles with
addiction, and their own personal road back in their recovery process. These speeches were moving and funny; bringing both tears and laughter to the crowd of over 95 people in attendance. Their inspired speeches
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
About the Frank P. Masterson, Jr. Award
In addition the 5th Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony honored Frederick J. Ferrari, D.D.S. with the Frank P. Masterson Jr. Award.
This award is aimed at highlighting people helping the addiction community, who show great leadership, and more importantly a strong sense of caring and commitment to the clients HDAP serves. 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 January 2009 as Vice President of the Board. In January, 2009 he was named Founder Emeritus. 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. The first office opened in Lambertville
in 1977 and as 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. Frank passed away on February 8th, 2009. His passing occured shortly after
being honored as HDAP's first and only Founder Emeritus on our board of directors. Frank's vision and commitment to helping those in need of substance abuse services has taken the form of a program providing 32
years of substance abuse treatment and prevention services. Frank's legacy of community involvement and his commitment to help others lives on in the daily work HDAP provides to the Hunterdon County community.
We are saddened that he is gone, but grateful for what he accomplished.
Back to the Top of the Page
Frederick J. Ferrari, D.D.S.
Frederick J. Ferrari, D.D.S. was the 2010 recepient of the Frank P. Masterson Jr. Award. This award was given to Dr. Ferrari for his continued support of people who have substance
abuse/depedence issues. Fred’s unique life experiences have also led him to reach out and provide community services to people who suffer from
other disabling problems. Fred has been the landlord of Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program (HDAP) since it moved to 8 Main Street in 1984.
Since 1984 Fred supported HDAP in our annual fundraising events. In 1998 HDAP had to temporarily relocate due to a fire that closed 8 Main
Street for over a year until it could be rebuilt. This led to many logistic and financial challenges for HDAP. During that time Fred was more
than the perfect landlord, understanding our mission statement (to treat regardless of ability to pay), and giving us the room to recover and
reorganize. Fred has always proven to be there in our time of need and he unselfishly continues to support our organization.
Fred became paralyzed from the waist down over 10 years ago after a tragic fall that shattered a vertebra. Since his injury, Fred has been a
role model to youth, to families and to the community through his positive attitude in the face of many adversities, and his determination to
make a difference on the behalf of the handicapped. This tragedy did not slow Fred down regarding his dedication to community service.
Fred has championed the cause of people with physical disabilities and has worked tirelessly in his efforts to promote stem cell research
legislation. Once an avid hiker, certified hang glider and outdoor enthusiast, Fred was thrust into a life far different and more challenging
than anything he had ever experienced. Instead of letting this tragedy and disability overcome him emotionally, he continued on both
professionally oriented with the running of his business Eight Main Street Associates, and personally dedicating time to working and advocating
for the advancements in treatment for persons with spinal cord injuries.
Fred is a past honoree of the Boy Scouts and the Hunterdon County YMCA. HDAP was proud to honor Fred this year and present him with the 2010
Frank P. Masterson, Jr. Award. We were also proud to have last year's Frank P. Masterson Jr. Award recipient Sandra Andrade there to present the
award to Dr. Ferrari. Sandra continues her great work as part of the dedicated Hunterdon County Drug Court team. Some members of the drug court
team can be seen below.
Back to the Top of the Page
Graduate Speeches
This years ceremony saw a growth in the numbers that we had last year. Over 95 graduates, family
members, friends, graduate alumni, probation officials, sponsors, Hunterdon County administrators, Hunterdon County Freeholders, State Assemblyman Erik Peterson, and HDAP staff and board members were in attendance this year
(up from 90 in 2009, 80 in 2008, 60 in 2007, and 20 in 2006).
This year followed last year's event, in that all graduates were asked to speak, and did so with moving speeches about
the impact addiction had on their lives and the significant changes they have made. Their powerful speeches showcased the impact addiction can have, captured the struggles they went through, and sometimes continue to overcome,
and also showcased the power of their recovery from addiction! These powerful positive changes included family reunification, stable employment (one
graduate has started his own company!), and other great accomplishments. Some members had difficulty speaking without becoming emotional, as is expected with such dramatic changes, and such great accomplishments.
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. Personal growth and the restoration of significant
relationships, reintegration back into thw workforce are just three keys to addiction recovery being successful and to its longevity ... and they were again key themes in this years graduation ceremony.
Back to the Top of the Page
Dignitary, Staff and Past Client Speeches
State Assemblyman Erik Peterson spoke eloquently to the graduates about their accomplishments, and to Dr. Ferrari regarding his award. We had two graduates from 2009 (Pat T. and Jim D.) speak at the
the graduation. Each gave moving speeches regarding their struggles with addiction and continued work in the recovery process. They gave a helpful "post treatment" summary of themselves and what they
have done to maintain their ongoing recovery. HDAP is very grateful to have them speak at the graduation. Clinical Director Jass Pelland and Executive Director
Glenn Duncan both spoke at the ceremony, despite having his toe broken "accidentally" by his Executive Assistant Jill Piperata (just kidding, I'm sure it was
purely an accident). Jass, and clinicians Mark Hodkinson and Raffaella McAllister introduced each graduate by telling about some of their struggles and success
when each graduate was handed their certificate.
A great spread was again provided by Chef Roberto at Buddy's Grab 'N Go on Main Street in Flemington. Our Office Manager Cindi McCormack provided home made buffalo wings that were gone by the end of the ceremony. 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 the HDAP staff members, and others, 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 staff 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
Alumni and 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
5th Annual Client Graduation & Recognition Ceremony. They are (in alphabetical order):
- Frank Greenagel
- Mary Hanley
- Mark Hodkinson
- Raffaella McAllister
- Cindi McCormack
- Patty McDonnell
- Donna Meck
- Jass Pelland - Committee Co-Chair
- Jill Piperata - Committee Co-Chair
- Jim R.
Back to the Top of the Page
This site is best viewed using Internet Explorer v8.0 or higher, Firefox, or Opera v10.63 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
|
