CFLR In Action

Apr

2023

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

Mar

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.

Mar

2023

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.

Feb

2023

Meditation in the Workplace

Companies are seeing the benefits of implementing in-office programs to help employees deal with workplace stress and create work/ life balance. In addition to cultivating positive work environments, many employers have experienced workplace improvements simply by introducing meditation programs. Some offices offer meditation spaces while others offer guided sessions that help introduce mindful practices into employees’ lives during the workday. The most common practice in the workplace is Mindfulness Meditation, which is a practice that brings the mind’s focus to the body and breathing in order to help improve concentration and promote open awareness of thoughts and feelings. But the effects extend beyond the moment of practice and into all decisions made throughout the day from what to eat, how to perform tasks at work and how to spend free time.

Researchers at the Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic found that mindfulness-based techniques, including meditation, can lower stress levels in a demanding work environment and lead to happier, more engaged employees.

In a one-year, randomized study, wellness researchers introduced an online meditation/stress management program at a busy corporate call center. After eight weeks of intervention, participating employees reported feeling more energy and less stress and anxiety, which can lead to depression. Many said they were sleeping better and had lost weight. Positive psychological changes were still evident a year later.

“What we found is that when employers make a real commitment to building resiliency in their workforce, the benefits are sustainable,” said Jennifer Hunter, the Director of Wellness, Employer Services, at Cleveland Clinic.

Hunter, a cognitive behavior therapist and one of the study’s five authors, finds it significant that the positive changes appear to be lasting, meaning the employees learned new, permanent coping skills. A full year after the stress reduction program, participants reported:

A 31 percent decrease in stress levels

A 28 percent increase in vitality, a measure of how energized a person feels throughout the workday

You can read more about the study here:

The study is being published in the current issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. It can be found online at http://bit.ly/1RydLO6.

EAP programs can help industries of all types find creative ways to introduce stress management programming into a workspace. CFLR’s EAP programming offers different solutions to help combat workplace pressures and help employees find a work life balance. One of the unique solutions CFLR created was monthly drop-in ZOOM classes that will focus on different ways employers can help reduce stress within the workforce. This month we are introducing stress management through meditation. Join CFLR’s EAP Coordinators, March 14 at 12:00pm via ZOOM for an introduction to meditation.

Sources or for more information:

https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2016/03/09/cleveland-clinic-study-finds-meditation-work-reduces-stress-boosts-morale/amp/

Feb

2023

CFLR & City of Rome to Host Inaugural “Winter Bash” in Rome During February School Break

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.

CFLR In Action

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

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

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

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

Meditation in the Workplace

CFLR & City of Rome to Host Inaugural “Winter Bash” in Rome During February School Break

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