Thanks for visiting Crossroads for Women‘s blog, Women and Substance Abuse. We have moved the blog to a new address so that we can provide you even better articles and information on addiction, treatment and recovery for women and their families.
You can find the same great content at www.crossroadsforwomen.org/blog. Please join in the conversation at our new address!
Crossroads for Women received a call the other day from the president of a local quilters guild in Standish, Maine. She had 14 beautifully handmade pillowcases that she wanted to donate to our halfway house. Since Crossroads maintains two 24-hour residential substance abuse treatment facilities for women, we are always in need of bed linens.
The inspiration for the donation was pretty cool. It was part of a 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge from American Patchwork & Quilting. According to the website, the simple idea is to make and donate pillowcases to local charities in your community. As I write this, there have been 234,627 pillowcases donated so far.
In addition to Crossroads for Women, the local quilters guild also donated pillowcases to other women’s residential facilities in the area. Like us, I’m sure they are always in need of pillowcases and other linens and have a very low budget for such items.
The best part is that the quilters had so much fun making the pillowcases that they’re planning on making more for us.
It’s amazing what a big impact a simple idea can make on a community.
Beth struggled with alcoholism, bipolar disorder and other mental health troubles after leaving her corporate job. As Beth recalls, her life was filled with depression and a series of relapses that almost took her life.
Until she saw an advertisement in a local paper for Crossroads for Women™ that reminded her to remember who she wanted to be.
Are you inspired by our blog and the work that we do here in Maine? Are you willing to donate to Crossroads for Women this year so that we can help more women like Beth?
Beth has been a client at Kennebunk Counseling Center for more than a year now. For Beth, attending the intensive outpatient program (IOP), individual counseling sessions and receiving medication management services in one place has been “a beneficial and lifesaving experience.”
Crossroads for Women™ has managed to thrive in an otherwise gloomy economy. As a reader of our blog, you may have read about our successes throughout the year. Our board of directors and senior management team has worked together to trim excess costs, focusing on maintaining the high quality programs that help women like Beth remember who they wanted to be.
Crossroads for Women™ remains successful because we are always looking at the future of treatment. We hope that you will support our efforts, because we can’t do it without you.
We ask you to go to our secure donation site or simply send a check to Crossroads for Women™, attn: Lisa Merrill, 66 Pearl Street, Suite 326, Portland, ME 04101.
Thank you for your continued support by simply reading this blog!
Crossroads for Women is where you would send your mother, sister or daughter for outpatient or residential treatment for substance abuse and mental health so she can remember who she wanted to be. Your contribution will directly affect women, their families and the community around them and is tax deductible.
The holiday season can be especially lonely and challenging for those dealing with the loss of a loved one. To help, Crossroads for Women will be offering Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season in the Portland, Maine area from December 7, 2010 – January 11, 2011.
The 6-week outpatient therapy group offers support during this holiday season to adult women who have lost a loved one. It provides a safe, confidential atmosphere to share experiences of loss and grief at a time when the focus is on happiness, family and celebration.
We encourage women to reach out and take this opportunity to connect with others in this healing process.
Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season Outpatient Therapy Group
when:
December 7, 2010 – January 11, 2011 (6 weeks)
Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
where:
Greater Portland Counseling Center
66 Pearl Street, Suite 202
Portland, Maine 04101
counselor: Marianne Donahue, LCSW
Get Directions
FMI: 207.773.9931 or email
Crossroads for Women accepts private insurance, MaineCare and self-pay.
View a full list of therapy groups currently being offered (PDF)
Women and Substance Abuse 