Cassandra Sheets

09
May
2023

Center for Family Life & Recovery Providing Hope Bags May 9th

Center for Family Life & Recovery Providing Hope Bags May 9th

On Tuesday May 9th from 11am- 1pm in collaboration with Erin’s light and UPD the Center for Family Life and Recovery will be providing “hope” bags to the homeless population in Utica with a focus on the Oneida square area.

#Erinslight is an acronym for Every Recovering Individual Needs Some Love, Inspiration, Grace, Hope, Today. The group was created in honor of Erin who died of an accidental overdose. “Erin believed every person needs to feel loved and appreciated.” Says Kehli, Erin’s Mom. “Erin said if you feel pretty on the outside, you feel more confident on the inside.”

The bags contain items, items such as lipstick nail polish sunscreen nail files also some additional items for the gentleman are toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, sunscreen and a resource guide on who they can reach out to when they are ready. CFLR’s goal is to promote self-care in our Homeless and our substance use disorder populations.

Center for Family Life and Recovery supports individuals and/or families struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News
04
May
2023

CFLR to Focus on Prevention During Mental Health Awareness Month

CFLR to Focus on Prevention During Mental Health Awareness Month

Utica, New York (May 2023) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Center for Family Life and Recovery will be raising awareness of substance abuse and mental health issues thru a series of educational events the week of May 7th thru May 13th during National Prevention Week.

During National Prevention Week (NPW), Center for Family Life and Recovery will focus on how schools, the community and families can all take an active role in helping to prevent substance abuse while also promoting positive mental health.

“We have many events planned throughout the community during Prevention Week,” said Cassandra Sheets, CEO of CFLR. “We have an ice cream social in Madison BOCES, ‘Science of Addiction’ presentations scheduled in Holland Patent Central School District, a vaping presentation for Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District students, and a ‘Talk Saves Lives’ suicide prevention training for Cornell Cooperative Staff.”

In addition to these events, prevention specialists have a wealth of informational social media posts for both prevention week and mental health month that school districts can utilize as well.

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. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News
05
Apr
2023

CFLR and Oneida County Law Enforcement Working Together to Take Back Unused Medications

CFLR and Oneida County Law Enforcement Working Together to Take Back Unused Medications

Utica, New York (April 2023) – The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) is proud to announce its Spring Take Back Day’s. This initiative, in collaboration with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Opioid Task Force and local police departments, provides a convenient way for residents to “Take Back” unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, including sharps and pet medications. Free HOPE bags full of resources will also be given away at each event.

This drive-through event makes it easier for people to dispose of these medications safely and securely without having to leave their cars. These events are part of CFLR’s Oneida County Prevention Services program which aims to reduce the number of opioids available in our communities while also reducing the risk of misuse and abuse. Present for both dates of this event will be CFLR’s Narcan trainers as well as Deterra bags which are drug deactivation bags distributed in previous Take Back Days.

CFLR is working hard to reach its goal of collecting 30,000 pounds (the weight of a school bus) by the end of October 2023. To date, they have collected over 23,000 pounds through their previous take back events. CFLR Executive Director Cassandra Sheets said: “We are so pleased that this program has been so successful! People are recognizing the danger that these medications pose if not disposed of properly and we are grateful for their participation.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 70% of all opioid overdoses can be traced back to prescription drugs. So far, CFLR’s drive-through take back events have helped keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities and away from those who may misuse them.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host Two Drug Take Back Days this Spring:

Date: April 20th, 2023
Location: 50 Forward Verona Beach (6734 Rt 13)
Time: 9am – 1pm

Date: April 22nd, 2023
Location: Outside of Utica Train Station on Railroad Street
Time: 10am – 2pm

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. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News
31
Mar
2023

Center For Family Life and Recovery Calls Hosts Fundraiser Event in May 2023

Center For Family Life and Recovery Calls Hosts Fundraiser Event in May 2023

Utica, New York (April 2023) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host ‘Take the Day!’ an event inspired by non-golfers that want to participate in a networking event that supports CFLR. This new event will be held May 11, 2023, from 10am -3pm, at the 5 Points, Irish Cultural Center at 623 Columbia St. Utica, NY, 13502. Coinciding with mental health awareness month, this event will be full of self-care themed services, work-life balance breakouts, a luncheon, shopping, and is sure to be full of fun, laughter, lots of food and raffles.  There are many ways to get involved.

 “As working individuals, we rarely take the time to pamper ourselves. Mental Health Awareness month is the perfect time to set aside time to breathe, relax, and be around like-minded individuals in our community. We are excited to Take the Day together,” said Jennifer Brillante, President of C&D Advertising, and chairperson to CFLR’s Take the Day committee.

There will be a luncheon, pampering experiences, and breakout sessions focused on work-life balance, physical and mental health, and other healthy-living options. Learn how to get involved; now taking service provider and vendor applications on our website, link here. Sponsorships available and individual ticket sales will be open in April.

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. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News
09
Mar
2023

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony during Open House at The Camden Life Center

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony during Open House at The Camden Life Center

Camden, New York (March 2023) – Camden Life Center is excited to share our new space you! Phase one of the Camden Life Center is now open and we invite the public to Camden Life Center; 20 Main Street, Camden, NY on March 15th from 2:00pm – 5:00pm. The ribbon-cutting ceremony commences at 3:00pm. Come see the services being provided to the community in Camden at our new office on Main Street. We encourage everyone to stop in for a quick tour during the open house and stay to celebrate with us at the ribbon cutting.

“We are so excited to finally be able to unveil to the Camden area, the new Camden Life Center. The initial dream and beginning steps of the Life Center began in December 2019 when friends decided to purchase 40 Main Street and offer the office space to Come to the Table Counseling to expand needed community services. No one could have anticipated that a conversation among friends about creating one building that houses “everything for real life” (#reallife) would grow and expand so quickly.”  said Jessica Perusse, LCSW-R, CSSW, of Come to the Table Counseling and Camden Life Center.

The Camden Life Center offers a wide variety of services by different organizations. Working together, partner agencies such as Come to the Table Counseling, Center for Family Life and Recovery, AmeriCorps-Camden, CareNet Pregnancy Center, Helio Health, and others bring their own unique specialization of services and programs to our community. The goal of this collaboration it to bring the most requested and needed services and support right onto Main Street, Camden.

Posted by Cassandra Sheets in CFLR In Action, News