New Directions for Women Events Receive New Support

(Newswire.net — September 25, 2019) Costa Mesa, CA — New Directions for Women (NDFW), hosted its annual Community Open House on September 11^th in eastside Costa Mesa, where their homes have been located since 1977.  People with substance use disorder – particularly parenting and pregnant women – are often stigmatized, which prevents them from getting the help they need to recover. Bringing in neighbors, local businesses, and other community members into the 4-acre campus helps to put a face on recovery and raises awareness about the needs in the Orange County community. 

This year’s theme integrated art as integral to the healing of addiction and featured artwork by patients undergoing substance use disorder treatment, as well as Silent Auction items from alumnae including a pottery set, painting, beaded jewelry, and a painted flowerpot with succulent arrangements. Proceeds from the silent auction benefitted the Pamela Wilder Scholarship Fund, which partially scholarships women and families undergoing addiction treatment. While the nonprofit organization does not provide full scholarships, the fund supplements reimbursement from private insurance and program fees.

A large butterfly mural was unveiled to start off the festivities. Field representative Lauren Barich from Congressman Harley Rouda’s office presented Sue Bright, Executive Director, and Tania Bhattacharya, Foundation Executive Director, with a special certificate of Congressional recognition.  “We are grateful to open the doors to our community as we celebrate recovery with our neighbors and friends. We can only fulfill our vision of transforming lives with the support of our elected officials, donors, alumnae, and care partners.” said Tania Bhattacharyya.

Five days later, New Directions for Women hosted a dedication to Faith Strong by the new butterfly fountain on campus. Pieces of the butterfly fountain were brought in from Faith’s home in Monarch Beach, where she had a butterfly sanctuary to strengthen the monarch population. The dedication service was led by Rev. Dr. Heather Clark, Spiritual Leader at the Center for Spiritual Living in Capistrano Valley, and attended by many long-term friends of Strong and New Directions for Women, including Ruth Stafford, Howard Bland, and MichelJoy DelRe. 

Strong served on the initial Board of Directors of New Directions for Women over four decades ago and continues to support the cause in perpetuity with a generous legacy gift. Her philanthropy stretched her entire community on giving.  “I know I am blessed to be able to give, but everyone can,” says Strong. “I give away 75 percent of my income now, but I still have a good income. Everyone should start giving 10 percent, like the Bible says. It’s like they say: When you give, it comes back double, although that should not be the reason for giving.” Sue Bright, NDFW Executive Director shared, “As we dedicate Faith’s butterfly garden, we are so grateful for the impact on not only our nonprofit organization, but humanity as a whole.”

Mayor of Costa Mesa Katrina Foley’s office presented New Directions for Women with a Certificate of Recognition as a strong community partner, noting New Directions for Women has helped over 5,000 women start their journey of recovery and sobriety at the program. The intent of the certificate is also to honor the memory of Faith Strong, who was clean and sober for 55 years and celebrated her sobriety anniversary on September 16^th. 

About New Directions for Women:

New Directions for Women has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for nine years and operates the only CARF-accredited sober living home in Orange County. In addition, they are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) and the first non-native Wellbriety certified site in the nation. 

Founded in 1977, New Directions for Women (NDFW) is a world-renowned, exclusively female, nonprofit drug and alcohol rehab program providing residential and outpatient addiction treatment services for women of all ages, including pregnant women, women with children, women who have relapsed, had prior treatments and suffer from a co-existing disorder. Nestled on a three-acre campus in Costa Mesa, California, the state licensed and certified, award winning facility touts a very high recovery rate. NDFW accepts most insurances and has partial scholarship opportunities available for those who need financial assistance. For more information, please call 800.939.6636 or visit www.newdirectionsforwomen.org.

PRESS CONTACT 

Tania Bhattacharyya (949) 313-1192 ext. 300  tania@newdirectionsforwomen.org