I have never thanked you for taking the time to help my husband and me during our “crisis”.

My husband is now attending NA meetings 3 times a week, hasn’t used drugs for almost 4 months, and is learning to deal with conflict in a healthier way.

Some of the most important things I learned from Penn Foundation are:  I can’t “fix” my husband, I didn’t cause his problems, and I have to be truthful.  I can no longer be the person God intended me to be if I continue to prevent my huband from feeling his feelings.

Thank you for investing in our lives.  You saw us at our ugliest, yet you were fair, truthful, insightful and helped us through a difficult time.

Can you imagine having just one number to call 24/7 when help is needed to deal with the disease of drug addiction? A number for both the addict and the affected loved ones to call? Our prayers were answered when we were led to the Penn Foundation. After years of trying anything, the recovery of our addict and ourselves came down to two simple words; “Call Ronni”. Thank you PF for the unlimited resources and caring that you have and continue to provide to our family. Our son now understands that all we can give him is love and support; the rest is available from the PF. Thank you Ronni, Bea, Jeff, Alan and others…….You are truly making a difference.

I am still living the nightmare of my daughter being a heroin addict. When I think she has kicked it, it is back again.

Once again, Penn Foundation has come through. We are approaching the four year mark soon. She has been to jail, rehab, halfway houses, recovery houses and started using again. Right now we are working closely with counselors and they are going “full blast” helping her.

After meeting with her counselor on Friday, I felt like 100 pounds was lifted off of me. They help set guide lines and help to prevent these “triggers” from taking over her. They haven’t given up on her, after all of this time.

Thank goodness for Penn Foundation.

A Mother and Father came in today for their first Family Assesment meeting With Todd Barlow, Director of the Recovery Center.  They generously agreed to answer a few questions about the process of having a Family Assesment done, and their feelings before and after.

Q:  What were you feeling before your appointment?

A:  Anxious.  Both anxious about what was to come and anxious to get the help we are looking for.

Q:  How stressful has your son’s drug use been for you?

A:  It has been moderately stressful.  He is young and we are looking to “nip it in the bud”, but we have experienced stress from his behaviors.  We also experience stress when thinking about where his drug use could lead.

Q:  How did you feel the Assesment Meeting went?

A:  Good!  We came away with a feeling that we had learned something, that this was going to be worth it.  We felt that Todd’s approach was a good fit to our situation and he was knowledgeable and helpful.

Q:  Any other thoughts?

A:  This is our first time dealing with addiction in our family.  We are very glad we are being pro-active.  We came out of today’s session with hope, we now feel that we know more about what we are dealing with.  Overall, we are now feeling optimistic.

Dear Director,

I can’t than you, Pat and your staff enough for all the help you’ve given my husband and me over the last few weeks and days.  We NEVER could have gotten  into rehab without all the assistance you have given us.  It really is heartwarming to know that there really are people out there who care and want to help.  It’s now up to God and the experts at Penn Foundation……

4/20/2006