Cassandra Sheets

Rome, New York (January 2023) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, together with the City of Rome, will host “Winter Bash” at Kennedy Arena, 500 W. Embargo St. in Rome, NY, on February 23^rd from 11am-2:30pm.

The youth fun day will include many free activities for local youth and their families, including a snowman building contest from 11-12:30, crafts, and a DJ on site. There will also be free open ice skating from 1-2:30pm. Families can enjoy free hot chocolate and popcorn. concessions will be available for purchase.

“We are excited to sponsor “Winter Bash” with the Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) for our youth who are on midwinter break and their families. Kennedy Arena is a great venue providing space for indoor skating, crafts and a DJ as well as a snowman building contest on the outdoor space. Our Recreation Department is committed to hosting events year-round geared toward youth and families, and by partnering with CFLR we are able to offer a fun activity during winter break,” said Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo.

“This event is something fun for area kids and their families to do during the February mid-winter break,” said Cassandra Sheets, CEO of CFLR. “Youth in Oneida County need more opportunities to get out in the community, have fun, and build positive memories, and we think this event will do just that!”

“Winter Bash” is a result of a grant received by the Oneida Country Suicide Prevention Program and utilized by the Center for Family Life and Recovery to provide outreach to youth and their families. For more information on the grant, visit https://ocgov.net/news/oneida-county-suicide-prevention-program-receives-12500-grant.

Other sponsors of Winter Bash include Oneida County Health Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Connected Family Schools, and wellness professional, Julian Tillman, Vitality, and more.

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

Utica, New York (January 2023) – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is seeking nominations for 2023 Amethyst Awards. The Amethyst Award is given to a member of our community who has helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and chemical dependency, as well as treatment and prevention. The Amethyst Award was inspired by the Amethyst stone which has become a symbol of recovery. Anyone in the community can be awarded the Amethyst Award, excluding CFLR employees.

Nominations can be submitted on CFLR, Inc.’s website, www.WhenTheresHelpTheresHope.com or using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AmethystAwardNominees Nominations will be accepted through February 28, 2023.  The Amethyst Award will be presented at Center for Family Life and Recovery’s 2023 April Awareness Breakfast, “Celebrating CommUNITY Connections,” to be held on April 25th at Hart’s Hill Inn, in Whitesboro. Ticket information is available on CFLR’s website and by calling the Utica office: 315-733-1709.

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

Utica, New York (January 2023) – CFLR, in collaboration with #ErinsLight and the Utica Police Department, will be doing an outreach effort delivering warmth and hope this winter season to those struggling with homelessness and recovery. They will be out in the Utica community at the following locations on January 10^th, 2023, from 11am – 2pm.

• Utica Rescue Mission Drop-In Center
• 1616 Women’s House
• Emmaus House
• Evelyn’s House
• Rutger Men’s House

“In addition, to these locations, our Recovery team will be canvassing the street to engage with the homeless and provide all with bags including hats, mittens, socks and other winter necessities and resource materials,” says Recovery Coordinator, Katie Burns.

Erin’s Light also offers a bi-weekly support group for individuals who have lost a loved one to overdose or addiction. Days and times can be found on our website https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com/  on the calendar page.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work. Offering services such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports CFLR in achieving these goals.

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. The vision of CFLR is to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

Utica, New York (January 2023) – January was declared National Mentoring Month in 2002 to highlight the importance of mentoring and the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) is seeking volunteers to become mentors. The CFLR mentoring program, Compeer, is focused on creating lasting friendships for individuals who have a mental health disorder. The Compeer Program trains community volunteers who are matched to a youth or adult “friend” (a person referred to the program) to make a difference in their lives on their path to mental wellness!

The Compeer mentoring program is in need of caring volunteers as the waitlist grows. “We are seeing a need for positive friends and mentors in individuals lives now more than ever.” said Ashley Neuschel, Mentorship Support Specialist at CFLR.  “We currently have 22 adults and 10 youths with unique interests and needs, waiting for their perfect friend.” Volunteer requirements are simple; mentors must be over the age of 18, willing to undergo a background check, attend an orientation training, and able to commit four hours of time a month as a mentor to your friend for a year.

If you think you have what it takes to be a friend and mentor, call the CFLR offices at (315) 733-1709 or visit https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com/services/prevention-services/compeer/. Neuschel will answer volunteer candidates questions and help with the volunteer application process.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives.

Compeer participants, Alyssa and her mentor Kristie, before the 2022 junior prom.

Utica, New York – In conjunction with Giving Tuesday on November 29^th, the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) announces a new initiative: The CFLR Circle of HOPE. This initiative provides a means for individuals to become involved in supporting the programs of the Center for Family Life and Recovery by committing to a small monthly gift. With a pledge of $5.00 a month, or more, people become part of an exclusive group dedicated to providing sustaining support all year in easy to manage, automatic gifts. Select the monthly amount you can give, and it will be automatically charged to your account monthly on the day you select.

Your monthly support can help in so many ways:

– $5 a month can help provide funding for one HOPE event

-$10 a month can help provide funding for a family support group

-$20 a month can help provide prevention education programming to high school students

As CFLR launches the Circle of HOPE, we are excited to announce that when we reach 100 participants, we will be giving away $500 in gas and groceries to a randomly selected lucky supporter. In addition, all supporters that sign up will receive a thank you gift from CFLR & Edible Arrangements of New Hartford and Rome.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert in advocacy, prevention, counseling, and training. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of help and hope to our area and with those whom we work.

Along with supporting individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues, CFLR’s goal is to inspire hope, provide help, promote wellness and transform lives. The vision of CFLR is to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com