News from CAI-MN’s Charitable Partner Recovering Addict Wins Hennepin County Citizen Award
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hen Amanda B. woke up on April 8, 2013, she had no idea what an impact she would make that day. A client in the Mn Adult and Teen Challenge (MnTC) long-term program, she had agreed to accompany staff members to a press conference to share her story about painful opiate addiction. In her way of thinking, if she could reach one person--and maybe stop them from going through what she went through--it would be worth it. Little did she know that by the end of the day she would have participated in eight separate news interviews yielding metro wide coverage and a huge rise in awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and how it actually leads to heroin addiction.
killed her. At the end of the day, her head spinning, she lay down to sleep, exhausted, but hopeful that she had made a difference. Amanda didn’t see her actions on April 8 at heroic, but others did.
At every stage, Amanda could have declined doing yet another interview, putting herself “out there,” but she didn’t. She wanted people to know that opiates aren’t worth messing with, that heroin and the methadone she used to try to stop using illegal drugs nearly
Recently, Sheriff Rich Stanek included Amanda in his annual Citizen Award ceremony. (Pictured top right). We applaud Amanda as well, and thank the Hennepin County Sherriff and his office for recognizing her courageous actions.
Rich Stanek, Hennepin County Sherriff and host of the press conference that Amanda attended, knew that despite the fact that she was getting better at MNTC, her actions took extraordinary bravery. She put her personal story out into the world, things that she would prefer had not happened, in order to help others. And this wasn’t the only time. She has shared her story with hundreds of kids with our Know the Truth program trying to keep others off drugs.
Since 1983, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge has been restoring hope to teens and adults struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. They are one of the largest, most effective, and most affordable programs in the nation with campuses in Minneapolis, Rochester, Brainerd, and Duluth. They offer outpatient and inpatient licensed treatment programs, also known as Life Renewal, and faith-based long-term recovery programs This variety of options allows them to effectively serve individuals with a broad spectrum of addiction issues--from those seeking treatment for the first time, to those who have been struggling with addiction for many years.
CAI-MN’s Charitable Outreach Event & Silent Auction Recap
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n Thursday, April 3, the Minnesota Chapter of CAI held its first Outreach Event & Silent Auction for MN Adult & Teen Challenge, and it was a success! About 100 members, including most of the Chapter Board, attended to support this successful program that is making a difference for many individuals who are challenged with addictions in their lives. We heard from two individuals who shared their personal stories and how MN Adult & Teen Challenge has helped them. Now, for the first time, they know they have a purpose and direction in life. MN Teen & Adult Challenge is a faithbased program that is helping individuals from all walks of life, and their Hope is, Belief in the Future. The Minnesota CAI Chapter is contributing to MN Teen & Adult Challenge and the transformation of people, so 26
Minnesota Communit y Living
there is Hope as they are having phenomenal success with calloused, hardened and broken individuals. It is wonderful to see and hear. MN Adult & Teen Challenge teaches them life’s lessons and helps them in planning and
finding their special gifts. It’s a very successful program and the Minnesota Chapter of CAI is thrilled to partner with them. Please help us support this organization and look for more articles in this and future CAI-MN magazines.
Representatives from the CAI-MN Board of Directors presented MN Adult & Teen Challenge with a check for $4,712, the amount raised at the inaugural charitable event. Pictured from left to right: Monte Abeler, Tom Engblom, Michelle Stephans, Michael Klemm, Barry Haglund, Nancy Polomis, Jim Rezek, and Joe Fadell.