FOUNDATION FOR RECOVERY, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is spearheading relief efforts for recovery communities in the Midwest that have been destroyed by the floods. The devastation left from the flooding of Iowa, Indiana, southern Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and other parts of the Midwest has affected thousands of people, including those in twelve-step recovery programs. Many of these individuals not only lost their homes, but also the places that held twelve-step meetings so vital to maintaining ongoing recovery. In addition, a number of regular recovery meetings have lost their entire literature stocks and supplies.

The Foundation for Recovery will supply recovery literature, but needs partners who can assist in delivering materials, provide meeting spaces, and make contributions and donations to help support these initiatives and ensure that the message of recovery will continue to be carried. Agencies that are able to distribute recovery literature or provide temporary meeting spaces in the affected areas should contact the Foundation at (702) 257-8199 or email at relief@forrecovery.org. To make a donation, please mail to Foundation for Recovery 4750 West Sahara Avenue, Suite 10 Las Vegas, Nevada 89102.

The disease of addiction will not wait for the flood waters to recede—neither can we.

In recognition and in respect to the twelve-step communities’ adherence to the principle of self-support and declining non-member contributions, the Foundation will separate contributions received. Any contributions from twelve-step program members who wish to specify they are giving as a member will be forwarded to service units in the affected areas. Any other contributions or undesignated contributions will be sent to appropriate agencies that are servicing or has contact with addicts. For the second category, a preference will be placed upon agencies willing to make temporary (or permanent) space available for meetings that have lost their meeting space due to the flood waters.

We encourage everyone to participate either through the Foundation for Recovery or other organizations to help these communities rebuild their lives.

The Foundation for Recovery is proud to be a sponsor for the 1st annual Joel Hernandez Voice of the Recovery Community Award reception. The event will be held on June 18, 2008 6-8pm at Spriggs & Hollingsworth in Washington, DC. The award was established to recognize one local, state or regional recovery community organization for its work in recognizing specific needs in their individual communities and carrying out a vision and mission for mobilizing resources in and out of their recovery communities.

The award is named after Joel Hernandez to honor his fight in the face of discrimination. In 1991 Joel resigned his position of 25 years as a calibration tech after a positive drug screen for cocaine. After getting clean and finding recovery, Joel applied for his old position, only to find he faced a lifetime ban. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Joel fought, not only for his job but to help others in the future. The case went all the way to the US Supreme Court and a settlement was made in 2004. His fight for all in the recovery community was a pivotal movement in our history. Mr. Hernandez died in February 2006 with the disease of addiction, not from it. The Foundation for Recovery is proud to be a supporter of Faces and Voices of Recovery in their effort to advocate for those in the recovery community.

To learn more about the award or Joel Hernandez’s story visit Faces and Voices of Recovery.

On Saturday, December 8th - 10:00a - 8:00p, the Foundation for Recovery will be hosting the First Annual Foundation for Recovery Benefit Golf Tournament and Dinner, to Benefit the Foundation for Recovery, at the TPC Canyons Golf Course in Las Vegas, NV.

Please visit the Foundation for Recovery for more information.

Denise D. Crosson RN, PhD, Director of Research Programs at the Foundation for Recovery, will be speaking at the 13th Annual Counseling Skills Conference in Las Vegas. The conference will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton, September 27-29, 2007.

The Counseling Skills Conference will focus on trauma, mindfulness, more effective treatment, depression, self-harm, and will also include a specialized training track on pain and addiction.

The Conference features other prominent speakers from all disiplines and is co-sponsored by the Las Vegas Recovery Center.

Visit the conference website, http://www.usjt.com/csl07/, for more information.

On July 13, 2007, Dawn Gibbons, the First Lady of Nevada, visited the Foundation for Recovery bookstore located at 4750 W. Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas, NV.

First Lady of the State of Nevada Dawn Gibbons presented the Foundation For Recovery with a congratulatory letter during the June 7th Grand Opening of the Foundation for Recovery offices and bookstore. Mrs. Gibbons said "This organization is to be commended for the crucial and effective role they play in the overall health and well being of the Silver State."

The First Lady went on to comment on the horrific impact of substance abuse, and commend the research, scholarships, and other services of the Foundation.

For more information, visit the Foundation For Recovery website.

On June 7th, 2007, United States Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV) presented the Foundation For Recovery with Congressional Recognition. The certificate was presented to congratulate the Foundation on the Grand Opening of the Foundation for Recovery offices and bookstore.

For more information, visit the Foundation For Recovery website.

On June 7th, 2007, United States Senator and House Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) presented the Foundation For Recovery with a Certificate of Commendation. The certificate was presented to recognize and commemorate the Grand Opening of the Foundation for Recovery offices and bookstore.

For more information, visit the Foundation For Recovery website.

United States Senator John Ensign (R-NV) awarded the Foundation For Recovery with a Certificate of Senatorial Recognition on June 7th, 2007. The certificate was in appreciation for the Foundation's commitment to "providing education about recovery from addiction and for the support and information that you bring to our community."

For more information, visit the Foundation For Recovery website.

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons presented the Foundation For Recovery with a Certificate of Recognition June 7th. The certificate was presented to recognize and commemorate the Grand Opening of the Foundation for Recovery offices and bookstore.

For more information, visit the Foundation For Recovery website.