Liberation Programs Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Liberation Programs will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary and holding its Spirit of Hope Benefit virtually on June 8. Spirit of Hope is the annual fundraiser for Liberation Programs, a leading behavioral health care provider in Fairfield County specializing in treatment for Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health.

Tickets are on sale for the virtual event to take place on June 8, 2021 at 7pm. The event will consist of moving stories from individuals who have received services from Liberation Programs, a look at their remarkable 50 year history, recognition of 3 extraordinary honorees, and remarks from some very special guests.

Spirit of Hope will raise critical funds to support the multi-faceted work of Liberation Programs including inpatient and outpatient treatment, Medication Assisted Recovery, and Outreach and Prevention efforts. The need for substance use disorder and mental health treatment has increased as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic, and Liberation Programs is poised to address these needs.

Recipients of this year’s Gini & Lou Bantle Spirit of Hope Awards are lifelong supporters of Recovery and advocates for the Recovery Community. The first award will be presented to Mr. Donald Johnson, a former Counselor at Lib House, Liberation’s Men’s Inpatient Residential Program. Prior to his retirement in 2019, Mr. Johnson spent over 25 years compassionately working with Lib House Recoverees.

Westport Resident, Bill Mitchell, and the Mitchell Family will receive this award for their commitment to recovery-related programs including collegiate recovery. In addition to running a recovery friendly business, the Mitchell Family uses their presence to host awareness events and fundraisers for Liberation Programs and other treatment programs.

The final recipient of the Spirit of Hope Awards is United States Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Senator Murphy speaks openly about his commitment to addressing the devastating opioid epidemic and championing mental health parity. His support for coordination between substance misuse and mental health treatment as well as advocating for the importance of Recovery Coaching are making a difference in our state and nationwide.

Liberation Programs thanks the Spirit of Hope Committee led by Chair Laura Weintraub Beck and committee members John Bassler, Sallyan Pelletier, Kari Pollak, Joyce Sixsmith, Jayme Stevenson, and Sara Tucker.

Tickets for the virtual event are $250 and can be purchased online at www.liberationprograms.org/soh21 or by emailing Fiona.Wilkes@liberationprograms.org. Various sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Raffle tickets for exciting prizes from Mitchells Stores, JetBlue, and JKB Organizing are available for $100/ticket or $500/6 tickets.

About Liberation Programs:

Liberation Programs is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health organization serving the substance use and mental health disorder needs of more than 2,400 individuals annually throughout lower Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Founded in 1971, Liberation supports adults, youth, and families at inpatient treatment programs in Stamford and Norwalk; outpatient clinics in Greenwich, Stamford, and Bridgeport; youth and senior education and outreach programs in Greenwich and Westport; and permanent supportive housing for families in Norwalk. To learn more, visit Liberation Program’s website or call 855-LIB-PROG.