By: Laurie Lunsford—
Muncie, IN—“Connecting the Links” is coming to Muncie on Saturday, March 10th 10AM to 2 PM at the Garden at Gethsemane, 1201 W. McGalliard Rd. in Muncie. “Connecting the Links” supports the ongoing mission to help our precious family members and friends get help for drug and alcohol addiction. Aubri Adney and Mariah Haffner, doctoral students in Occupational Therapy at the University of Indianapolis, are interns who are spearheading this project. It is sponsored by Brianna’s Hope, a network of support groups all over Indiana and into Ohio who help addicts get help.
“Many don’t realize all the resources we have here,” Aubri states. Organizations and individuals who are making huge efforts to help the cause are coming together in one place. This is a chance to go beyond the coldness of the internet and personally meet and converse with those who can help with your needs or someone you care about. Aubri and Mariah have put forth much effort to bring people in from many different avenues into one place.
Aubri and Mariah are encouraging families to come. Children are especially welcome. Lunch will be provided and there will be carnival games and art. There will be a positive atmosphere that will enable people to meet and talk. Information will be available at various booths. There will be speakers who will cover all aspects of drug and alcohol addiction. Homelessness and unemployment will also be addressed.
You are invited to come and go between 10:00 and 2:00 as you like. It is for anyone and everyone. You may be a much needed link in this growing number of people wanting to help. On the other hand, you may learn things you didn’t know. Come and connect. You will find people who care.
Brianna’s Hope has helped hundreds of people find help and get support through groups. It began in Jay County and has grown to 25 chapters in 17 counties and is continuing to grow as it moves into Ohio. They have provided the funds for detox and rehab for hundreds of addicts and continue to do so.
Aubri and Mariah, make it a goal daily to make a difference in the lives of others by helping others develop their potential. Every person in the support groups, leaders and participants are making a difference.
Speaker Schedule:
10:00 – Meridian Services: Providing education about the services they offer
10:30 – A Better Way- Tasha Ayres: Providing education on warning signs of domestic violence and the ties to addiction
11:00 – East Central Indiana Therapeutic Riding Inc., Elise Matthews: Sharing the benefits of therapeutic riding for children
11:30 – Been There Done That Have the Scars to Prove It-Matt Lunsford, Dan Soose, Terry Davis, Naomi: Providing education and perspectives from personal experience
12:30 – Bridges Community Services – Karee Buffin: Providing education about services for those in the community who find themselves to be homeless at one time or another
1:00 – A Community Interactive Artist – Laurie Lunsford: Providing education about the use of art for Healing
1:30 – Dr. Sally Wasmuth and Dr. Victoria Willburn: Discussion of innovative approaches to addressing the opioid crisis and addiction in general, using insights from occupational therapy and the concept of addiction as occupation
