# Heroes in the CLE: Sewing the Seeds of Recovery
Guest Blogger: Ruthie Snow
The final step in recovery programs tells us that ‘the key to maintaining our own emotional well-being is to help, encourage, and comfort others’. Each one of us has a gift to share with the world, whether it is painting, writing, singing, listening or in the case of the Sewing the Seeds of Recovery Project- sewing. The latest research is very clear: When we reach out to help others, we are helping ourselves get better, too. And this was the impetus of the Sewing the Seeds of Recovery project at CATS.
In the last few weeks amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the clients at Community Assessment & Treatment Services(CATS) took on a very special project. Recognizing even with the generous donations from the community; a mask shortage was inevitable that would impact the health and safety of clients and staff, it was time to take immediate action. Debbie Schon, Admissions Manager, quickly organized the project by securing supplies, including two sewing machines, and a group of client volunteers. Some of the clients knew how to sew, and others learned quickly from instruction and guidance by Debbie and their peers. The first round of masks went directly back to clients and staff; and others are being donated to other community organizations in need. One organization recipient has been the Homeless Hookup CLE, run by Clevelander, Dean Roff, an organization that very simply gets needed supplies to the homeless in Northeast Ohio. https://homelesshookupcle.com/). All Masks came with a message “We Care About You. Stay Safe” . In the last few weeks, the Sewing the Seeds of Recovery Project has produced 200 masks with more masks to come and additional non- profits, clients and staff to help!
Volunteering is good for the soul, in 2017, UnitedHealth Group published an updated study “Doing Good is Good for You” regarding volunteering and its health benefits. The study found that all people — including those in recovery–can benefit from community service.
Some of the key findings associated with the study included:
Volunteers reported they were more closely connected to their community and the people in it through their service.
Volunteers were more likely to report higher levels of physical, mental and emotional health than those who did not volunteer.
Volunteers reported they were better able to effectively manage their stress than those who did not volunteer.
When a person is in recovery, they are finally at a point where they can live well without drugs or alcohol or the stress and health woes these addictions can cause. Volunteering can be an extra mind, body and soul benefit that contributes to recovery success. This is why projects like Sewing the Seeds are so vital to our community.
The Sewing the Seeds of Recovery Project needs your Help! The project is running short of supplies including fabric, elastic and thread. Can you help? Donations can be sent or dropped of to : Community Assessment & Treatment Services 8411 Broadway Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44105 Attn: Sewing the Seeds of Recovery Project, or monetary donations are accepted at https://communityassessment.org/get-involved/
Community Assessment & Treatment Services(CATS) is a non- profit, addiction recovery center offering residential and outpatient services and is located in Northeast Ohio. Its mission is to promote the social justice needs of the community by providing high-quality, cost-effective, evidence-based interventions that comprehensively address the chemical dependency and behavioral health needs of a diverse clientele.
This week, CASK is pleased to partner with Ruthie Snow, Community Liaison for CATS, for our guest blog on the power of volunteering and recovery.
