SPOTLIGHT Shining the Light on Recovery - Mountaineer Recovery ...
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Mountaineer Recovery Center//September 2021
SPOTLIGHT
Shining the Light on Recovery
Highlights:
Alumni uses
counselor's
experience for
inspiration!
Day Report Center
celebrates 5 years!
MRC plans for a day in
the park to celebrate
recovery!
Spotlight from the Top
September 2021
September is National Recovery Awareness Month! I’m so glad the
originators of this emphasized Recovery, and not Addiction. We need
to be constantly challenging and changing the national conversation to
move from discussion addiction as the problem, to recovery as the solution. As our
graduates demonstrate, people do recover! And Hope becomes reality. That’s what makes
Mountaineer such as special and purposeful place to work. Lives are transformed and
generations are impacted because of the important work each our staff to help people
recover.
September is a great month to emphasize and celebrate recovery. Leaves begin to shed
their leaves, days get noticeable shorter in daylight, and we move from the heat of summer
to the cooler nights of fall. September is a month of transition just as Recovery is a time of
transition. In recovery, people transition from disease to wellness, from death to life and
from brokenness to wholeness. Recovery is about change. And Mountaineer is in the
change business. Its why we say over and over, live clean, live different. When people live
differently, and change their lifestyles, sobriety takes care of itself.
The pages that follow are full of people, events, and programs that represent or contribute
to change. The birthday of the Berkeley Day Report Center you’ll read about was a
wonderful celebration. Our alumnus, Rob Morgan lives out the reality of hope. And our staff
and programs reflect Mountaineer’s commitment to helping people change.
Many events throughout the area will celebrate recovery in September. There will be the
Save A Life Free Narcan Education Day on September 1st. A new ministry From Addiction to
Purpose hosted by New Beginnings Ministry will begin September 7th at 7pm at the
Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center. And be sure to check out our first annual
Recovery in the Park on September 26th from 12-5, created and organized by our
Community Relations Coordinator Terry Bullock. It will be a fun afternoon to celebrate
recovery and be encouraged by music, fellowship, and testimonies.
My highest respect goes to everyone in recovery whose faced and slayed the dragon of
addiction. I believe there is no greater internal struggle or disease any of us could face. All
in recovery give the rest of us hope! As one MRC graduate recently posted on her Facebook
page, “Never underestimate the power of a recovering addict.” In September, we spotlight
and bring awareness to the power people in recovery really have! Shine on!
NI
ALUM
ight Rob Morgan
otl
Sp
18 Months of Sobriety
Disclaimer: Testimony and photos are printed with consent
of the graduate.
I am from the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, also known as the Ohio Valley. I
always did well in school when I went. I stopped going the second semester of my
senior year, but ended up getting my GED in prison. As a kid, for some reason, I just
always wanted to be bad. I met my father right before I turned 11 years old. He ended
up committing suicide a couple of years later, and I was the one who found him. I
didn't know it at first, but I believe that moment was a major part of what led me to
my drug addiction. I ended up getting arrested for petty charges, and they held me
for a couple of days. During that time, I had a moment of clarity, realizing I needed to
get help.
Today, I am just a few days away from a big milestone in my life. 18 months clean! A
majority of the credit goes to MRC & Oxford House for where I am today. The tools
that MRC taught me showed me how to be able to find my way. Oxford House gave
me a safe environment to help myself as well as help others in the process of
recovery.
What I like most about my life today is the relationship I have with my daughter and
the fact that she will never have to see me high again. The greatest change for me this
far, would have to be my state of mind. Before, the shame and guilt was unbearable.
Today, I like who I see in the mirror. My first impression of MRC was something I had
not felt in years. It almost felt like a home. A safe place where I could heal and grow!
My most important takeaway was: “Anything that I put before my recovery, I will lose!”
The whole experience was special. My favorite part was the food and Terry (Big T)
Bullock’s group sessions. I know that I was stubborn at first, but he didn’t pressure
me. He just gave me space and an environment where I didn’t feel judged, and where
I could heal and grow at my own pace.
Terry ‘Big T’ Bullock and Kevin Knowles were a huge help and made me feel safe and
unjudged in group. Just knowing that they battled with addiction and made it out was
encouraging.
Kevin Knowles told his story one evening and that was a huge help to my process.
Seeing someone be successful after they got into recovery filled me with hope!
My main goal is to get my driver’s license back. In the next few years, I hope to be on
my way to becoming a homeowner.
I would like to thank Raymond Franklin for doing the home call and working with PHG
to get me into detox and then rehab. Also, I would like to thank Jenna Kay Erb. She is
one of the most important people in my life and drove almost 5 hours to get me
when I decided I was ready to get help. I’d also like to thank Jamie Wethington for
giving me a chance in Oxford housing. MRC’s MAT program also helped a lot, and I
now have a huge recovery network. Finally, thanks to my Oxford (Jefferson)
housemates and home group “High Hopes” of CA.
My biggest hobby now is PlayStation, but I’m going to start working out any day now. I
just simply inspired for better things, because I know where the other side of
addiction takes me in life, so I might as well see where recovery will take me.
STA
Spotligh FF
Keely Clocker
Recovery Technician/Residential t
“I am the woman of my own
dreams. I require no validation. My
wish is my command. My life is my
own. I build it. My voice is my own. I
use it. I am relentless in my
dedication to trusting myself. I am
insatiable in my thirst for the
extraordinary, and I do not settle
for the mediocre. I live without dead
time.”
Keely’s connection to the world of recovery started when she was very young. She mentions that she watched her own
father struggle with substance use during her childhood. Though she lost her father to heart failure, in part due to his fight
with addiction, she says that she is grateful she never turned to substance for comfort. Instead, she found herself wanting to
give back to the people her own father turned to for strength. She wanted to serve people who had fought the same battles
that her father had. She refers to that community as consisting of some of the strongest people she has ever met.
Before taking on her position at MRC ten months ago, Keely had experience working in an eye doctor’s office and as a
criminal research analyst. Today, as a Recovery Technician, she is able to build connections with her patients and greatly
values the moments when someone feels safe enough to confide in her. It is important to Keely that she does all she can to
be supportive and make each patient’s stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. It makes Keely’s heart full to watch
each patient grow and improve in their recovery journey.
Keely is the sort of person who is always available and eager to pick up extra shifts at MRC. Her drive to give back and help
others likely stems from her parents. Keely’s father worked as an RN, her mother volunteers at a local food pantry, and both
served in the United States Air Force. Keely shares their desire to do good for her community.
When she is away from work, Keely indulges in her passion for films and television. Some of her favorites to watch are The
Nanny, Will and Grace, Downton Abbey or Miranda, and K-dramas. She also loves cooking and tending to her plants, but she
admits that she is no expert at either task. Other interests of hers include astrology, fashion, and “singing until [her] lungs
give out.”
Keely relies on mantras to motivate herself. Her current favorite is this: “I am the woman of my own dreams. I require no
validation. My wish is my command. My life is my own. I build it. My voice is my own. I use it. I am relentless in my dedication
to trusting myself. I am insatiable in my thirst for the extraordinary, and I do not settle for the mediocre. I live without dead
time.”
Not only is this mantra uplifting and inspirational, but it also fits nicely with the spirit of Recovery Month!
S
t
N
l
E
i
W
ght
Spo
COUNTY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
AND SUCCESS OF BERKELEY DAY REPORT CENTER
Originally published in The Journal
At the Berkeley County Council meeting on Thursday, the efforts of the Berkeley Day Report Center were celebrated after its
first five years in operation as a community corrections program with extensive success, according to the DRC Director Tim
Czaja.
“This has been an unbelievable success story,” Berkeley County Council President Doug Copenhaver said. “I can personally say
that you’ve saved a lot of lives in Berkeley County.”
Council member Dan Dulyea said that from the beginning, the Berkeley County Council knew that the program would grow.
“Our vision in discussions was always that we needed something that would handle 300 participants in that program that it is
going to get that big,” Dulyea said. “It’s one of those things that the rest of my life, I will be very proud to have been a part of.”
Launched on Aug. 1 in 2016 by the Berkeley County Council, the program has grown from three staff serving six clients to 25
full-time and two part-time employees that served 278 clients in July 2021, according to the press release and Czaja’s report.
Czaja reported that 232 clients have successfully graduated from DRC programs. Czaja referenced report given to the
Berkeley County Council in 2017 that stated the Berkeley DRC was at the time, staffed to provide services to only 90
participants. “We are now staffed to provide services to 300 participants,” Czaja said. “We now have a beautiful facility that we
are able to provide services to these folks in.” Czaja said that the Berkeley Day Report Center currently has 10 case managers
on staff, three drug screening technicians, a peer recovery coach supervisor, six peer recovery coaches, a full-time therapist,
two part-time drivers, two full-time drivers, an office administrator and an administrative assistant.
“We also have our Mountaineer Behavioral Health therapists; we have four of them under Dr. Hartiens’s leadership who run
four of our intensive outpatient programs. We are currently holding 109 hours of group therapy each week and roughly 60
hours of individual therapy each week,” Czaja said. “This program exists to provide a place for people who are enslaved to
addiction to find freedom. It is also to save taxpayers money."
The program has helped reduce the amount of money that the county is billed by the state for incarcerations at Eastern
Regional Jail, Berkeley County Administrator Alan Davis said. “We’re the only county in the state that has seen its regional jail
bill go down,” Davis said. As part of his presentation, Czaja recognized longtime Day Report Center staff Kathy Butts and Will
Popojas, as well as Dr. Jonathan Hartiens, the CEO of Mountaineer Recovery Center, and The Rev. Dr. Ken Walker, a longtime
member of the Berkeley County Criminal Justice Board. “We have high standards. Completing our program is not an easy task.
It takes a minimum of 12 months of compliance, active participation and clean drug screens,” Czaja said to the Berkeley
County Council. “Putting people in jail who have drug problems and who have committed crimes because of drug problems is
not only totally unhelpful, but it is very expensive--$48.25 per day to house one person. When you have 200 plus of them,
you’re talking $3.5 million a year to incarcerate
these folks. Instead of doing that, you’ve created
this program that is providing a way for them to
find freedom from their addiction and you are
spending much less.”
Czaja said that it is important to him that the
community knows the intentions of the Berkeley
DRC. “This is not a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card for
people that have broken the law,” Czaja said. “We
hold these folks accountable. It is important to me
that people know that. We are happy to celebrate
5 years now.”
City of Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles said that the programs of the Berkeley DRC have helped the City of Martinsburg.
I’ve had an opportunity to travel the state, see all the recovery services in the state, and you guys are the best in the state,”
Knowles said. “I can honestly say that.”
Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan Harmon thanked Czaja and members of the Day Report Center staff for their efforts and the
resources they provide to help change lives. “I want the Day Report Center and Tim to know that he has the full support of
the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office,” Harmon said. “Because I believe, truly that we are changing lives, regardless of state
statistics and what they say about Berkeley County — we’re heading in the right direction.”
Berkeley County Council member James Barnhart said he sees the Day Report Center as a place of hope. “You give people
hope and miracles will happen and I appreciate that,” Barnhart said. At the end of the recognition of the Berkeley Day
Report Center, Copenhaver presented a certificate of appreciation to Czaja on behalf of the Berkeley County Council. “Thank
you for what you’ve done in trying to restore people’s lives, keeping families together. It’s critically important,” Berkeley
County Council member Eddie Gochenour said.
According to the official press release, the Berkeley Day Report Center has performed 50,469 — Drug screens since
opening, the DRC has an 18% recidivism rate as of Oct. 2020, the organization has received — 2020 — Criminal Justice and
Public Safety Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties in 2020, it was awarded the Judge Martin A.
Gaughan Award for Excellence in Community Corrections in 2020 and was given the Outstanding Public Safety/Public
Health Collaborative Effort Award in 2019.
RAM
PROG
tlight
Spo RECOVERY MONTH
Recovery month is a time where we put more emphasis on RECOVERY and how it has allowed for many individuals to regain
a sense of humanity, integrity, and purpose. The month of September is filled with many national events all over the world.
Locally we have a few events like:
SAVE A LIFE FREE NARCAN DAY—September 1, 2021—11am-5pm
Local organizations in the Eastern Panhandle will provide free naloxone (Narcan) and education for everyone in the
following locations:
Martinsburg Library – 101 W. King St, Martinsburg
Berkley Day Report Center – 520 S. Raleigh St, Martinsburg
Bentley’s Specialty Pet Food – 101 E. Main St, Hedgesville
Family Dollar – 605 Winchester Ave, Martinsburg
Harmony United Methodist Church – 9455 Williamsport Pike, Falling Waters
WVU Urgent Care – 5047 Gerrardstown Rd, Inwood
WVU Urgent Care – 61 Campus Dr, Spring Mills
Bunker Hill United Methodist Church – 9863 Winchester Ave, Bunker Hill
FROM ADDICTION TO PURPOSE—September 7, 2021—7pm
Hosted by New Beginnings Ministry
400 West Stephen Street, Martinsburg
RIDE FOR RECOVERY—September 19, 2021—9am-5pm
Presented by Whiting's Neck Equestrian Center, a charity horse show to benefit The Hope Dealer Project
Hosted by Taylor Calandrelle
391 Steeplechase Lane, Martinsburg
RECOVERY IN THE PARK
See following page
Join Mountaineer Recovery
Center as we round out our
celebration of Recovery Month!
Recovery
in the
Park
Hear information
about treatment,
listen to the stories
of MRC alumni, and
enjoy an afternoon
of music, food, and
AT WAR MEMORIAL PARK fun!
Sunday
Music:
September 26 Uncensored Worship Band
12:00 pm - 5:00pm
Small Town Worship
at War Memorial Park,
500 N Tennessee Ave, Cubez
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Mountaineer Recovery Center
@mountaineerrecoverycenter
September Birthdays
Julie Gash
Maria Hampton
Daniel LaBelle
Angela Mellott
Jan Nieves
Justin Ott
3094 Charles Town Road
Kearneysville, WV 25430
☎ 304.901.2070
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