How might we influence connection for those suffering from addiction within the population served by Interfaith Sanctuary, knowing that a lack of connection is a main component of relapse?
The Addicted to Fighting Addiction Team (ATFA) was formed through a shared social and emotional connection to the harsh reality of addiction. This team was driven by heartbreak and purpose and formed their mission statement through this. It states, “Addiction is a symptom of a loss of connection. Our mission is to find that connection.” The team did just that. After ideating and partnering with local shelter, Interfaith Sanctuary, the team planned to implement a connection event including food, games, and no mention of addiction.
This implementation impacted 20 individuals who reside at Interfaith Sanctuary in Project Recovery (Interfaiths' Addiction Program). The team worked with the residents to establish connection, provide support, and enjoy a meal with the individuals involved. The team and residents played games, ate pasta and cookies, and connected with the community that Interfaith has to offer. This event accomplished the team's HMW by putting connection first and treating every person like they mattered. Not labeling them as addicts but rather as new connections.
The team’s most impactful empathy experience was an interview with the Executive Director of Interfaith Sanctuary, Jodi Stigers, who became the team's community partner. This interview not only helped the members land on the direction of the project but also the humanized side of the issue. Other large takeaways were that connection is at the heart of all healing, addiction is a lifelong disease that can affect anyone, and that with addiction comes relapse.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017 and according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2020 with 91,799 drug overdose deaths reported in 2020. Learning facts like this motivated the team to work hard to have an impact in our community.
The ATFA group conducted 6 empathy interviews and went on two site visits. On our first visit with the local homeless population, we connected with a few different groups of people. We shared a meal and games on our final outing to Interfaith Sanctuary, who connected us with 20 residents.
In addition to receiving gratitude from the residents at Interfaith Sanctuary, Matt, the Director of Project Recovery, shared his gratitude for our visit. He noticed the empathy and connection we led with in meeting the residents. This is his final email to us:
“It was such a pleasure having you here. Our programmers felt really special having their own special dinner and playing the awesome games you guys brought. Please thank Jenn for being so flexible and accommodating as we figured out on the fly the best way to set up and serve dinner. The students were so incredibly sweet to our guests, and they really made them feel like they were special people who deserved a little extra lovin'.
"I'm really excited to follow up on this and see how our organizations can collaborate on other fun events! Please feel free to contact me directly at the number below in my e-signature with any questions or just to brainstorm something new we can cooperate on!”
We met one resident on our visit, an artist, that was close to gaining housing after spending 20 years fighting addiction. She spoke openly about overcoming a meth, heroine, and alcohol addiction and how important Project Recovery’s community is to her sobriety. She explained how she would still attend daily sessions to maintain connection.
Fast Facts Sheet
Year(s): Fall 2021 - Spring 2022
Focus: Addiction/Substance use and Abuse/ connection
Recipients: Residents at interfaith Sanctuary
Community partner: Interfaith Sanctuary
Number of recipients: 20
Number of One Stone members involved in planning: 13
Number of weeks of planning: 30
How many hours it took to prepare for implementation: 4
How many hours it took to implement: 3
