RALEIGH (Aug. 24, 2020) — Healing Transitions, which offers innovative peer-based, recovery-oriented services to homeless, uninsured and underserved individuals with alcoholism and other drug addictions, is facing major hurdles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the start of the pandemic, Healing Transitions had been operating over capacity every day, serving more individuals than it ever has in its nearly 20-year history. Since the COVID-19 crisis started, the nonprofit had to limit the number of residents at its men’s and women’s campuses but started expanding its services in other ways, including opening up a new, temporary detox space for those in need.
Healing Transitions has also experienced a shortage of in-kind food donations due to increased demand from other parts of the community. This has caused the nonprofit to order and pay for food that was not included in its budget. Additionally, with more participants remaining on campus, they now have more individuals to feed.
Meanwhile, they’ve seen an increase in need as people are seeking alcohol and drugs as outlets for their stress and anxiety. The organization’s average daily census has increased a staggering 186 percent since it first opened its doors in 2001.
“The Bob Barker Company Foundation has been a generous donor to Healing Transitions for the past several years. We were thrilled to receive this unexpected gift from the Bob Barker Company,” says Chris Budnick, Executive Director at Healing Transitions. “The timing of this gift is especially meaningful as we navigate additional, unexpected costs to continue providing services and support in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire team at Bob Barker Company has shown their dedication to our mission through their thoughtful giving, and we are so grateful for their continued support.”
Nancy Johns, Chief Operating Officer for Bob Barker Company, Inc., says they felt this moment required additional support of nearly $22,000 directly from the company. “Our team members strongly endorse Healing Transitions’ belief that all people struggling with addiction, especially the homeless, uninsured and underserved, deserve services on demand — as many times as it takes — to find recovery.”
Healing Transitions offers these ideas for others who want to help:
- Financial: Supporters can donate at healing-transitions.org/donate. The nonprofit says $25 will provides meal for 10 participants, $100 will provide meals for 40 participants and $500 will provide 200 meals.
- Donations: Specific needs currently include personal protective equipment, individually wrapped snacks, staple pantry items, water and other items.
- Friendship: Directors say a simple note to let someone know they’re cared for goes a long way. People can mail letters to 1251 Goode St., Raleigh, NC 27603 to the attention of staff support or send an email to lwilliams@healingtransitions.org, and they’ll be printed and shared with staff and participants.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
For Healing Transitions:
Laura Blank, APR
Keylight Communications
laura@keylightcommunications.com
646-245-2496
For Bob Barker Company:
Adam Shapiro
ASPR
202-427-3603