Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil
In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2023), the MARC Foundation along with Dutchess County Behavioral Health and other community supporters, held a candlelight vigil at the Overdose Memorial on the Dutchess Rail Trail behind Gold’s Gym . We gathered to remember those lost to addiction and overdose. Participants were encouraged to wear purple and to bring a lock to place on the chain link fence in memory of your loved one. There were light refreshments, educational materials from community resources, a short walk on the rail trail next to the memorial, and a closing prayer with an opportunity to have your loved one's name read in their memory. Plan now to join us next year as we recognize Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2024. |
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The MARC Foundation |
The MARC Foundation funds two important programs that help individuals who have been recovering from substance misuse in a community residence and who now are ready to return to living outside the residences. The Patrick Sullivan Transition Program aids those in recovery from one of the community residences operated by Mental Health America who are now ready to live on their own. The Sean Doyle Transition Program provides similar assistance for those who are leaving Saint Joseph’s Addiction Treatment Center, better known as Joseph’s House.
Overdose Awareness MemorialDutchess County’s Overdose Awareness Memorial, which recognizes those who lost their lives to a substance use disorder, was created by the MARC Foundation and Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA), with contributions by Gold’s Gym, Dutchess County, and individuals who had experienced family members who died from a drug overdose.
The Memorial is located behind Gold’s Gym in Lagrange, beside the Dutchess Rail Trail, and features a landscaped garden, places to sit for seated reflection, and a chain-linked fence memorial, where individuals can place a lock to honor a loved one lost to addiction. Another important component is a kiosk provided by Dutchess County that uses QR codes for individuals to link to local and regional addiction, prevention, and mental health resources. The Memorial’s floor is fronted by plaza of memorial bricks placed by those concerned about substance use disorder. “Addiction is a disease, but with resources and awareness, lives can be saved,” said Michael Fanelli, president of the board of the MARC Foundation. “We thank the community and our board, as well as MHA, Gold’s Gym LaGrange and the many contractors who generously gave of their time, for coming together to turn this idea into a reality. |
The many people who turned out for the opening on June 9, 2022, speaks volumes about the toll addiction takes on our community and sends a strong message of hope and unity.”
![Drug Overdose Memorial in Lagrange [At the entrance to the Rail Trail behind Gold’s Gym]](/uploads/1/3/0/4/130429475/thumbnail-clip-image001_orig.jpg)
To donate a memorial brick
Visit our BRICKSRUS page and complete the form. Each brick, which costs $100, features a brief message of support (six or seven words maximum) and, if desired, the name of the donors or of the person being remembered. Locks can be placed on the chain-link fence free of charge. |
Jane M. Shulkin
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DCC SCHOLARSHIP PROMOTES
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The MARC Foundation established this scholarship to memorialize Jane M. Shulkin and her dedication to individuals in recovery. Jane Shulkin was a remarkable woman. She was born in Poland during the start of World War 2. At age 11 she and her sister were able to immigrate to upstate New York, not speaking any English. Jane graduated from Utica Free Academy and Mohawk Community College, then headed to New York City to work for a large store as a buyer. After she married, moved to Poughkeepsie, and had two children she continued her successful career in fashion. Mid-life, Jane went back to school and earned a BS in Social Work from Marist College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She joined the Board of Directors of the Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Centers (MARC), where for over two decades she was instrumental in bringing new members to the Board as well as in policy development; later she fulfilled similar duties on the Board of the MARC Foundation. After obtaining her graduate degree, she worked as a counselor and social worker for nine years at a rehabilitation center, helping many of the firemen and police officers from NYC affected by 9/11 and many other people recover from the ravages of addiction.
The MARC Foundation since 1993 has advanced the cause of the Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Centers, Inc., now part of Mental Health America Dutchess Country (MHA) and today works with MHA and other local organizations involved in the vital effort to improve recovery and prevention of substance use disorder. The Jane M. Shulkin/MARC Foundation Scholarship is established with a gift from the MARC Foundation to the Dutchess Community College Foundation, from which an annual award of $750 will be presented to the receiving student. The student will be chosen by the DCC Scholarship Committee-CASAC Program.
The mission of the MARC Foundation is to aid individuals with a substance use disorder by generating financial support to provide prevention and residential treatment. The Foundation accomplishes this mission by giving grants to expand and improve sober housing, which creates a safe and secure environment for people in recovery, and by supporting organizations that prevent or treat substance use disorders. To apply for the scholarship, click here.
The MARC Foundation established this scholarship to memorialize Jane M. Shulkin and her dedication to individuals in recovery. Jane Shulkin was a remarkable woman. She was born in Poland during the start of World War 2. At age 11 she and her sister were able to immigrate to upstate New York, not speaking any English. Jane graduated from Utica Free Academy and Mohawk Community College, then headed to New York City to work for a large store as a buyer. After she married, moved to Poughkeepsie, and had two children she continued her successful career in fashion. Mid-life, Jane went back to school and earned a BS in Social Work from Marist College and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She joined the Board of Directors of the Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Centers (MARC), where for over two decades she was instrumental in bringing new members to the Board as well as in policy development; later she fulfilled similar duties on the Board of the MARC Foundation. After obtaining her graduate degree, she worked as a counselor and social worker for nine years at a rehabilitation center, helping many of the firemen and police officers from NYC affected by 9/11 and many other people recover from the ravages of addiction.
The MARC Foundation since 1993 has advanced the cause of the Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Centers, Inc., now part of Mental Health America Dutchess Country (MHA) and today works with MHA and other local organizations involved in the vital effort to improve recovery and prevention of substance use disorder. The Jane M. Shulkin/MARC Foundation Scholarship is established with a gift from the MARC Foundation to the Dutchess Community College Foundation, from which an annual award of $750 will be presented to the receiving student. The student will be chosen by the DCC Scholarship Committee-CASAC Program.
The mission of the MARC Foundation is to aid individuals with a substance use disorder by generating financial support to provide prevention and residential treatment. The Foundation accomplishes this mission by giving grants to expand and improve sober housing, which creates a safe and secure environment for people in recovery, and by supporting organizations that prevent or treat substance use disorders. To apply for the scholarship, click here.
Bolger House Gets Recovery Patio/GardenBolger House, the 5-star MHA addiction recovery center in Poughkeepsie, has opened a rebuilt and improved patio and garden for its residents and their families.
The $9,600 project was built by the MARC Foundation, which supports residential programs for treatment of substance abuse. Bolger House, with 24 long-term male residents, is one of the several ways that Mental Health America of Dutchess County (MHA) and its MARC division promotes recovery from alcoholism and other addictions. |
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The new facility at Bolger House provides a lawn as well as a barbecue area, all surrounded by plantings. It is designed to provide a tranquil setting for residents in recovery, and is also a place where family members can gather privately with a resident. It can be used for outdoor Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in good weather and for group therapy sessions that are part of the recovery process—or just for individual meditation.
The MARC Foundation aids individuals with a substance use disorder by generating financial support to provide prevention and residential treatment. You donation to the Foundation can help accomplishes this mission. The Foundation gives grants to expand and improve sober housing, which creates a safe and secure environment for people in recovery, and by supporting organizations that prevent or treat substance use disorders. Recent programs, supported by donations and fundraisers, include financial help for persons transitioning from a residential treatment center to ordinary civilian life and also the Jane M Shulkin/MARC Foundation scholarship, which provides financial assistance for individuals studying methods of addiction recovery at Dutchess Community College.
The MARC Foundation aids individuals with a substance use disorder by generating financial support to provide prevention and residential treatment. You donation to the Foundation can help accomplishes this mission. The Foundation gives grants to expand and improve sober housing, which creates a safe and secure environment for people in recovery, and by supporting organizations that prevent or treat substance use disorders. Recent programs, supported by donations and fundraisers, include financial help for persons transitioning from a residential treatment center to ordinary civilian life and also the Jane M Shulkin/MARC Foundation scholarship, which provides financial assistance for individuals studying methods of addiction recovery at Dutchess Community College.
