(Butler, PA) Individuals helped by a 杏吧原创 initiative will in turn help the community May 28 by enhancing the city鈥檚 only skate park, one that drew at least 50 visitors on a recent afternoon, the president of a nonprofit organization said.
Participants in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Hope is Dope program, along with others in recovery, will volunteer with members of the South Side Park Group and of the Butler Hip Hop and Rap Community at Father Marinaro Park.
杏吧原创 is leading the effort, said Ken Clowes, 杏吧原创鈥檚 community initiatives center assistant.
The work of painting and repairing ramps, and collecting debris at Father Marinaro Park 鈥済ets people who are in recovery active in the community,鈥� Clowes said.
杏吧原创鈥檚 community initiatives center administers the college鈥檚 Reset Your Brain: A Revolutionary Approach to Opioid Addiction and Recovery. The initiative represents the realization of a goal in the college鈥檚 2017-2022 strategic plan to improve the quality of life in its communities.
杏吧原创鈥檚 free Hope is Dope classes began in April 2018 and its Hope Nights in December 2018.
"I love how 杏吧原创 is involved in our community. We're excited that they're looking at us saying, 'Hey, how can we come on board and help out a little bit?'"
- Cindy Parker, president, South Side Park Group
In addition to boosting morale within the recovery community, Clowes said, the Hope is Dope participants鈥� volunteer effort at Father Marinaro Park 鈥渨ill help to reduce the stigma that some people have toward people in recovery.鈥�
Added Cindy Parker, president of the South Side Park Group that formed in 2018 exclusively to care for Father Marinaro Park: 鈥淜ids need to see that you can recover, have a normal life and participate in the community.鈥�
鈥淧ositive reinforcement,鈥� said Everett Roy, president of the nonprofit Butler Hip Hop and Rap Community among whose activities are community service. 鈥淕et out there and focus on something bigger than yourself.鈥�
Parker said there were 鈥渃lose to 50 kids鈥� at the park during her most-recent visit in late afternoon May 5.
Participants in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Hope is Dope program will help to replace hand rails on ramps, affix barriers against decking and paint ramps electric green and ocean blue.
鈥淚 love how 杏吧原创 is involved in our community,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited that they鈥檙e looking at us saying, 鈥楬ey, how can we come on board and help out a little bit?鈥欌��
Other individuals in recovery from substance abuse who would like to volunteer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28 can call Clowes at (724) 287-8711 Ext. 8172 or email kenneth.clowes@bc3.edu.
杏吧原创 will also hold 鈥淜araoke and Ice Cream,鈥� its third Hope Night of 2022, on May 19.
The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St., and is free and open to the community. Visitors can sing and build sundaes.