Hello! On June 6th, I will be doing what I swore I would never be doing, competing in a spelling bee. And we all know my handwriting is short of nothing but chicken scratch so lets hope my spelling is not doomed for the same ineligibility.

Why am I doing this? Because of the organization behind the event, CCHP and what better way to mark my one year employment than putting my brain power (and ego) on the line in front of peers and co-workers! But on a more personal note,  many of you may know that I began my journey as a social worker to work specifically in the substance abuse field after seeing and witnessing the impact that substance abuse can have on loved ones and families and I envisioned my work to be a part of a cause that is working to change the way in which America criminalizes, vilifies, degrades, penalizes and abandons those that struggle with addiction. Luckily I found CCHP and I have had the privilege in the last year of working specifically with mother's, expectant women and women at CCHP's "Pregnant Addicted and Addicted Mothers" program providing harm reduction services to those facing not only facing opiate addiction but co-occurring mental health disorders and copious systemic obstacles such as poverty, incarceration, unemployment or underemployment, housing instability, and a multitude of prejudices, stigmas and marginalization. 

CCHP is more than a community health center, it's a safe space for our patients to get the type of quality care that they deserve. Overall, we provide over 3,000 individuals and their families with essential healthcare services that include primary care, substance use and mental health treatment.

Please join me and CCHP in continuing to help individuals, families and communities impacted by substance abuse! So please donate! Donate, anything you can! 100% of the donations will go to the patients and cause at CCHP!  

And if you are in the NYC area, I recommend coming to the Spelling Bee ($50 donation), and watch me make my spelling debut (or if you dare, compete against me). There's an amazing live band, comedy, food and an open bar from 7 - 8pm (not too shabby for $50).

Thank you all so much!

Lily