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Hope joined the fight hosting Mahoning County's first Annual International Overdose Awareness Day Event in August, 2015 following the overdose death of her daughter's friend in April of 2015. It was ruled a heroin overdose. During this same time Hope's step-daughter, Jody, was struggling with her 2-decade long battle with Substance Use Disorder. After meeting the parents of Donnie and having his father speak at OhioCAN Mahoning's first event, Hope felt the need to Embrace, Educate and Empower those living in Mahoning County who, too, were struggling with the shame and stigma felt nationwide. In was in December of 2018 after a long and courageous battle with substance use disorder, Hope lost her step-daughter Jody due to a fentanyl overdose. The fight continues for Hope as she advocates for people who use drugs, especially harm reduction initiatives. She actively distributes Narcan, the drug which reverses an overdose due to opiates/narcotics. She has seen firsthand the devastation and destruction endured by loved ones, families and the communities. This fuels her desire to continue to fight and help bring attention to this horrific health crisis.
Hope has represented OhioCAN at various public forums and community events locally and nationally, including the Fed Up Rallies and March on the White House. She was also there the day "The Day the Silence Ended" attending the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally in Washington DC. Hope is involved with The Coalition For A Drug Free Mahoning County, MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) Coalition, Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition and The Opiate HUB. In addition, she is very involved with the recovery community providing numerous recovery support services while continuing to expand the resources. Hope understands that recovery is a lifelong process and as such will require different types of support along the way. She hopes with the support of local volunteers and the community, to continue providing that additional support. OhioCAN Mahoning County has hosted several events such as Steps of Change and Overdose Awareness Day. Hope has attended various public forums and community events. She has seen firsthand the devastation and destruction suffered by loved ones and the community which only fuels her desire to continue to fight on and help bring an end to this horrific health crisis.Hope, a Licensed Massage Therapist in private practice for 24 years and lives in Youngstown. She is Mom to 3 grown children, is the proud Gramma of 3 and lives in Youngstown Ohio.
"I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, making me a life-long resident. I’ve been married 40 years to my husband, Stephen, a self-employed architect at Architectural Design, Inc. I work as a bookkeeper for his business. Together, we have two children. Our oldest, Stephanie, is 36 years old, single and a graduate of Ohio State University. She is employed as a designer/purchaser in Austin, TX. Our youngest child, Michael would have turned 33 years old this year. He graduated from Columbus State Community College and co-owned a construction company with his father and another partner. Sadly, Michael passed away due to a fentanyl overdose on September 12th, 2018. This was a traumatic and life changing event for our family. Shortly after his death, I joined a grief support group, G.R.A.S.P., and through this group I became involved with OhioCAN Mahoning County. It has been a heart-warming experience to see all of the men and women that do recover and regain their lives and families."

Steps of Change

Families and those impacted by addiction will participate in our annual “Steps of Change” to Educate, Empower and Embrace those living with substance use. They will bring attention to the shame and stigma associated with substance use, while advocating for more evidence based-practices and treatment. Local counties will host Steps of Change events, which include a variety of activities including walks, runs, ceremonies, health fairs, and balloon releases. Each county's program is different. Most groups will stage “Walk a Mile in my Shoes,” in which family members display a pair of shoes of those who continue to struggle or who have passed from the disease of addiction. The public is invited and children are encouraged to come!!

Overdose Awareness Day

Overdose Awareness Day has been a key remembrance event for those who have died from fatal drug overdoses since 2001. On August 31 thousands of people worldwide will stand beside the friends and families of fatal overdose victims to reflect on their losses. The event intends to reinforce the idea that no one need feel shame or disgrace at the death of someone from drug overdose.
OhioCAN Mahoning County has some exciting news to share for 2021. As of February 1st, 2021, we received a generous donation of space that we are utilizing as a donation center for our women and men in recovery. We have reached out to the community through social media to let them know we are accepting donations of new and gently used women, men and children’s clothing, coats, shoes, etc. We are also taking on donations of basic household items such as dishes, silverware, pots, pans, small kitchen appliances, bedding, bath towels, sweepers and small pieces of furniture. Also, with our new space, we have been able to accept and expand donations of new, personal, hygiene items for our YouCAN2 Blessing Bags.