PENN TWP — A little glimmer of hope.

Tammy Schuey, president of the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s board of directors, said that is what the center offers people whose hope of beating addiction has dimmed and nearly flickered out.

“I firmly believe we save lives at the Gaiser Center,” Schuey told the 120 people who attended the center’s annual Community Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Butler Country Club.

Johanna Terwilliger, whose sober date is May 21, 2019, said she was born into circumstances fraught with violence and addiction, but finally sought help when she hit her personal rock bottom.

“I ended up at the Gaiser Center, which was a godsend,” Terwilliger said. “They gave me something I never had: love. And they didn’t judge me.”

Terwilliger listed the dozens of things she lost as a result of her addiction, and even more things gained after recovering.

“Most importantly, I gained myself,” she said.

Amy Taylor said her brother overdosed, was revived, and discharged from a hospital without further support before falling into a swimming pool and drowning.

She said the hospital never checked her brother’s urine screening to determine what substance they were dealing with or called his family, drug and alcohol support services, a behavioral health organization or anyone to ensure he would be OK after being discharged on foot at 1:30 a.m.

“The education of emergency room doctors is critical,” Taylor said.

Taylor said people suffering from the disease of addiction also are caught up in the penal system, with endless arrests and court appearances.

“We need to stop using the criminal justice system as a place of recovery for them, because we are just setting them back,” she said.

Taylor advocates a central phone number where someone in addiction crisis can get help with withdrawal, housing, food or treatment.

“And we need to make sure their (recovery) plan is sustainable throughout their lives,” she said.

Joe Mahoney, executive director at the Gaiser Center, welcomed all in attendance, including the brother, son and granddaughter of the late Ellen O’Brien Gaiser.

He praised his staff members, who he said are the reason for the center’s success and recent receipt of the state Center of Excellence Award.

“We hope every day we are making Ellen proud,” Mahoney said.

He said the 51-year-old facility has served 280 people so far this year.

“While that number seems large, it’s not nearly large enough,” Mahoney said.

He said in addition to the Center of Excellence Award, the Gaiser Center over the past year has expanded its medication assistance program to its outpatient center and partnered with Butler County Prison to provide classes and services to inmates.

“Consider the role you all play in this process,” Mahoney said.

Following the program, a lunch of soup, salad and sandwiches was served.

District Attorney Richard Goldinger said the county is lucky to have such a successful and dedicated addiction treatment center.

“The Gaiser Center is a tremendous asset to Butler County, with our issues with drugs in the community,” Goldinger said. “I’d hate to see what the county would look like without them.”

County Deputy Sheriff Harry Callithen said he has seen the positive effect the center has had on the community.

“It’s great to see people get better and make good decisions for themselves, and the Gaiser Center is the conduit,” Callithen said. “They do great work.”

Jennifer Passarelli, deputy warden at Butler County Prison, said two Gaiser Center classes are ongoing at any given time at the prison.

Gaiser professionals also serve as counselors for inmates, who attend all Gaiser services voluntarily.

“It’s an opportunity to provide better services for those seeking treatment for addiction,” Passarelli said.

Schuey, who is general manager at the Butler Eagle, ended the event by saying she offered to serve on the Gaiser board after reading article after article on people struggling with addiction.

She said great work to serve people at their most vulnerable continues at the center.

“It’s a disease we know people can recover from,” Schuey said. “They just need that glimmer of hope.”