BC3 event aims to help those in recovery, treatment during holidays
Butler County Community College’s “Hope for the Holidays” gathering in downtown Butler will support those in recovery from substance abuse and encourage patients in residential treatment this month, a BC3 administrator said.
BC3’s final “Hope Night” of 2024 will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St.
The gathering is free and open to the public.
Guests may include those “who are feeling very disconnected” while in residential treatment at local substance-use and mental health facilities near Butler, said Ken Clowes, BC3’s community initiatives center assistant.
“Even though they are at a place where they have a chance to change their life, it is difficult to be away from loved ones,” Clowes said. “They may feel lonely. I can’t think of anything better … than to help them feel like they are still a part of and cared for by the community.
“That is the reason for the name of this event.”
BC3 began “Hope Nights” in December 2018. Eight months earlier, the college launched its “Hope is Dope: Reset Your Brain” opioid addiction program intended to improve the quality of life in the college’s communities.
“Hope Nights” offer comedy shows, music, arts and crafts, exercise and other activities designed to realize a theme in “Hope is Dope,” which is to produce endorphins that “create a feeling of well-being,” according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Twenty-nine Butler County residents completed the college’s three-week “Hope is Dope” community series held in March and in October, Clowes said.
More than 80 inmates finished a four-week program held six times in 2024 at the Butler County Prison, Clowes said. Twenty-seven people completed a four-week program held twice this year for veterans and employees at the VA Butler Healthcare System.
Each received a certificate of completion from BC3.
“When you set out to accomplish a goal and you are excited about it, your brain is producing more dopamine to help you reach that goal,” Clowes said. “When you complete the goal, you get a little boost of endorphins. So when they get handed their certificate, they are getting a little boost of endorphins. For other people it just helps to solidify their path to recovery, another step in pushing themselves forward.
“The inmates in particular look forward to those certificates. They are able to show their accomplishment to a judge, to their family members. It helps drive their motivation to continue.”
“Hope for the Holidays” will feature live music by “Washboard Tony” Frochio, of Butler; competitions for the best, ugliest and most creative sweater; arts and crafts; and free hats and gloves for those in need.
Three previous “Hope Night” events in 2024 drew a total of 220 guests, Clowes said.
BC3’s programs are funded through a portion of Butler County’s allocation of funds from the 2021 national opioids settlement.
Bill Foley is coordinator of news and media content at Butler County Community College.
