Westfield Parent Program To Include Account From Former Addict

WESTFIELD, NJ — Last fall, Stephen Hill spoke to more than 1,700 Westfield High School students about his addiction. Now, he and his father will speak to parents in a program called "Not My Kid: A Father-Son Parent Program."

The Municipal Alliance of Westfield along with the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation and the Matthew Thomas Toriello Memorial Fund will run the program March 10 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Hill of Speak Sobriety and his father, Kevin Hill, will run the program.

“It was a powerful experience speaking to over 1,700 Westfield High School students virtually, and I am thankful to the Westfield High School administration and Westfield Municipal Alliance for allowing me to do so," said Stephen recently. "I truly appreciate all of the students that reached out to me personally and thanked me for speaking. I am hoping I can come speak in-person next school year.”

Last fall, also did a Q&A session with the WHS Dream Team following his large group presentation. "Those who got to hear Stephen's story expressed gratitude for his honesty and transparency," said a release. "The Municipal Alliance, AAKF, and MTT Memorial Fund also received several parent emails from those who didn't get to attend asking if there would be another opportunity to hear Stephen's story."

Stephen will share his story again, however this time, the program will also include a 30-minute live Q&A session with Stephen and Stephen's father to address any questions parents have after hearing Stephen's story.

Kristen Sonnek-Schmelz of the MTT Memorial Fund stressed how important these programs are to the community and hopes as many will join as possible.

“Michele and I both lost our brothers to opioid overdoses, Albert Kayal and Matthew Toriello," she said. "The gut-wrenching scream I let out the morning I received that phone call will forever live inside my head. It's our hope to save other families from similar pain by building awareness through addiction education and prevention programs, and letting families know it's ok to talk about addiction. People naturally want to help others, but they can only do so, if they know HOW."

Register by clicking on the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WT_zQygNSyqXP9CBO4MhOw

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