As always, we thank you, our donors and supporters, for your continued generosity. Though we were unable to hold “In-Person” Fundraising events in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid restrictions, we still received your donations that ultimately enabled us to present another Scholarship Gift to the Road Runner Collegiate Recovery Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey for 2021-2022.
Here are a few updates on the Program: At present, there are 3 active young men participating , one is a recent graduate ( now employed as a full-time Biologist with Werfen, an International Diagnostics Company.). Because these students are full time academics, full or part-time employed, and very much invested in their studies and AA Meetings (all of which have been either Virtual or In-Person,) the Educational Meetings that are also provided for additional support are offered individually depending on their schedules.
In addition, the “Allies and Mentors Program” (students, faculty, and staff supporters of Recovery) has made an important switch. Rather than just “marketing” the Road Runner Recovery Program, they have renamed and redirected its purpose to “Recovery Allies Fusion,” a Recovery Support Program that will work to destigmatize Recovery, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health. After much research and in-depth discussion, it has been found that stigma towards these issues has kept students from coming forward and talking about their own lifestyles, problems, and concerns. Destigmatizing will help encourage students to ask for and seek, the help they need.
Finally, for those of you who were with us at our event in 2019, we would like to share an update on Melvin Jovel, our first recipient of the T.J.Franzese Scholarship. Melvin is a Senior this year. He has maintained a 3.7 GPA and has continued to grow, mature, and maintain success within the world of Recovery. He is so very grateful to us all for the ongoing support through this Scholarship and has written a beautiful, heartfelt letter expressing that gratitude. Please read it here or below and we hope it will be as moving for you as it was for us!