fundraising Archives | Council on Recovery

The Council on Recovery Earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation

We are excited to share that after intense review, The Council has received a three-year accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Since our founding in 1946, The Council on Recovery has been at the forefront of helping individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by alcoholism, drug addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders.

We are proud to demonstrate our continued commitment to excellence by receiving a three-year accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. CARF officially recognizes health and human service providers as having met rigorous standards for quality of service.

Achieving accreditation clearly shows The Council’s dedication to delivering safe, effective, and high-quality services and commitment to ongoing improvement.

A three-year accreditation is the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization, following a rigorous peer review process and on-site visits. CARF accreditation gives confidence to our community that The Council is the place to start.

For more information about CARF International, the standards, or the accreditation process, visit www.carf.org.

Houstonian Brené Brown Helps The Council on Recovery to Raise More Than $932,000

Houstonian and New York Times bestseller Brené Brown inspired a crowd of more than 1,500 Houstonians at The Council on Recovery’s 40th Annual Spring Luncheon on Friday, April 19, 2024. Co-chaired by Diane Erbstoesser, Pasha & George Joseph, and Neeraj Parasher, the event raised more than $932,000 to help individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Board of Trustees member Jerri Duddlesten Moore welcomed guests and highlighted the Speaker Series’ legacy of education and awareness. Executive Pastor Matt Russell from Chapelwood United Methodist Church provided the invocation.

The Council’s President and CEO, Mary H. Beck, LMSW, CAI, emphasized that recovery is at the heart of the organization’s mission. She highlighted the organization’s expansion of services and capacity over the past two years, which aimed to reduce stigma and enhance campus events. “Today is a living, breathing testament to this mission,” emphasizing the luncheon’s impact in fighting addiction stigma and fostering recovery paths. Beck also stressed the ongoing commitment to this mission beyond the event, stating, “Our mission lives on beyond these walls,” as she outlined initiatives to expand treatment, develop future leaders, and enhance community partnerships. Beck affirmed their continuous effort to transform lives, underscoring, “We continue to approach our work with intent and passion.”

Luncheon Co-Chairs Pasha & George Joseph, and Neeraj Parasher followed with moving testimonials on how addiction has impacted their own lives.

George Joseph highlighted the transformative impact of addiction recovery, sharing his own experiences and the pivotal role of community support. He emphasized the significance of recovery efforts, stating, “One person’s recovery can affect hundreds and prevent generations of dysfunction.”

Joseph praised Houston’s extensive recovery resources, noting its position as home to the largest Council in Recovery. He celebrated the community’s role in reducing stigma and educating others about addiction, underscoring the importance of events like the luncheon in spreading awareness and support.

Neeraj Parasher shared his transformative journey from addiction to recovery, emphasizing the profound role of hope in his life. He recounted the despair of waking up alone on Christmas Day 2018, a pivotal moment that led him to seek help. “I’m just thankful to be alive and free,” Neeraj expressed, grateful for the support from his sponsor and the Alcoholics Anonymous community that heard his “screams for help.”

He credits his wife, Morgan, with providing constant support and a reason to maintain his sobriety. Neeraj also highlighted his rewarding involvement with The Council’s Cradles program, where he plays Santa at their Annual Holiday Party, describing it as the most wonderful part of his year. Through his experiences, Neeraj has redefined what it means to live a consequential life, aiming to be a reliable presence for others struggling with addiction.

Board of Trustees Chair Amanda Polich reflected on the Council’s commitment to making treatment accessible, noting, “We made a promise never to turn away a family in need of treatment.” To fulfill this promise, the luncheons have raised over $22.2 million. Despite the growth in treatment options and innovations, the cost remains a significant barrier.

To address this, Polich announced the launch of The Council’s Treatment Fund, seeded by a $150,000 donation from an anonymous donor. She urged attendees to contribute, using the donation methods provided at their tables, ensuring that all funds raised would directly support families in need of treatment.

Keynote Speaker Brené Brown then took the stage in an entertaining, thoughtful, and inspiring speech. Brené Brown shared poignant reflections on the importance of sobriety in her life, stating, “Every meaningful and important thing in my life, I owe to my sobriety.” She emphasized the transformative role of connection in overcoming addiction, remarking, “In the absence of connection, there is always suffering.”

Brown highlighted the contrast between addiction’s isolation and the community’s power, expressing gratitude for organizations like The Council that champion support for those unable to afford treatment. She noted, “I’m so grateful for The Council and their commitment to doing work on the hardest edges of love.”

Brown’s message underscored the necessity of community and mutual support in recovery, concluding with a powerful reminder: “We don’t have to do it alone. We were never meant to.”

“Full House” star Jodie Sweetin Helps The Council on Recovery to Raise More Than $460,000

Star of the hugely popular 90’s sitcom “Full House” Jodie Sweetin inspired a crowd of more than 800 Houstonians at The Council on Recovery’s 38^th Annual Spring Luncheon on Friday, April 21, 2023. Co-chaired by Kim and Kevin Boone and Matthew and Meredith Goldsby, the event raised more than $460,000 to help individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Board of Trustees Chair Amanda Polich opened the luncheon with a warm welcome and highlighted the Speaker Series’ legacy of education and awareness. Reverend Cindy Cline of Unity Church provided the invocation. Polich returned to bestow the Community Champion Award to the Halliburton Charitable Foundation, which has given nearly half a million dollars in support of our services for children and youth through their annual golf tournament and employee matching gifts.

cor b 4327 — Board of Trustees Chair Amanda Polich

cor b 4335 1 — Board of Trustees Chair Amanda Polich

The Council’s President & CEO, Mary H. Beck, LMSW, CAI, highlighted the direction and future of The Council, and emphasized the need to normalize conversations on substance use and mental health at home, in schools, workplaces, and beyond.

“Recovery shouldn’t have to be hidden,” she said. “It should be ok for people to ask for help when they are struggling with substances. It should be ok to ask for help at school. It should be ok to ask for help at work. It should be ok to ask for help from your doctor or clergy. It should be ok to ask for help from your family.”

Luncheon Co-Chairs Kim Boone and Matthew Goldsby followed with moving testimonials on how addiction has impacted their own lives.

“As a parent of 2 middle school-aged girls, I am acutely aware of the pressures my kids will face that can too easily lead them to a pathway of substance abuse,” said Boone. “And that’s a huge part of why I am so passionate about my work with The Council. I want to ensure that my kids are armed with the right information and tools to make good decisions in the face of adversity.”

Keynote Speaker Jodie Sweetin then took the stage in an entertaining, thoughtful, and inspiring conversation with Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of The Jung Center of Houston. They discussed her adoption and upbringing, acting career in “Full House,” and the years of struggle and recovery that followed.

Sweetin stressed the importance of prevention and education efforts for young people in her address, saying, “I’m so grateful that my daughters live in a time when conversations around addiction and mental health are easier to have.” She also praised the work of The Council, saying, “An important thing that The Council does is work with teens and their parents to address the family system.”

In her closing remarks, Sweetin said, “If you’re here today and you’re struggling, please know that it will change, and you can ask for help. It will be okay.”

cor b 4549 — Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick and Jodie Sweetin

Announcing Jodie Sweetin as Keynote Speaker for our 38th Annual Spring Luncheon

The star of the classic 90’s sitcom “Full House,” Jodie Sweetin, will share her story of recovery at The Council’s premiere fundraising event on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Hilton Americas – Houston Hotel.

The Council on Recovery is excited to welcome Jodie Sweetin to Houston as the keynote speaker for our 38th Annual Spring Luncheon! Actress, producer, host, author and activist Jodie Sweetin garnered the love of millions in her role as Stephanie Tanner on ABC’s long-running, hugely popular sitcom “Full House” and the widely popular Netflix spinoff “Fuller House.”

She previously pulled double duty as co-Executive Producer and star in the rom-com Just Swipe and just wrapped production on “Craft Me a Romance” where she once again stars and serves as co-Executive Producer. Jodie also co-hosts the popular parenting podcast “Never Thought I’d Say This,” which is currently in its fifth season. She is a published author of her memoir UnSweetined, in which she chronicles her struggle with substance use disorder until becoming sober more than a decade ago. She is now a passionate advocate for substance use prevention among youth and young adults.

Since its inception 40 years ago, The Council’s speaker series has promoted a message of hope and healing, and helped to reduce the shame and stigma of substance use and related disorders in the Houston community and beyond. The Council provides treatment and recovery support to individuals affected by substance use and other co-occurring mental health conditions, regardless of their ability to pay. Funds raised through our annual luncheons ensure that no family in need is ever turned away.

For more information about our Speaker Series, visit our speaker series website. Tables and individual tickets will be sold at a later date.

Announcing Danny Trejo as Keynote Speaker for our 37th Annual Spring Luncheon

The actor, activist, author and restauranteur Danny Trejo will tell his story of recovery and redemption on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Hilton Americas – Houston hotel.

The Council on Recovery is excited to welcome Danny Trejo as the keynote speaker for our 37^th Annual Spring Luncheon on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Danny Trejo is an actor, activist, author and restauranteur, best known for his starring roles in the Spy Kids, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Machete film series, as well as recurring roles in the television series Breaking Bad, King of the Hill, and Sons of Anarchy. He most recently appeared in the popular Star Wars series, The Book of Boba Fett.

Trejo struggled with addiction at as early as 12 years old, found sobriety through attending 12-step meetings while in prison, and has been sober for more than five decades. He chronicled his harrowing and inspiring story in his critically acclaimed 2021 memoir Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, & Hollywood.

To reserve your table today, visit our speaker series website. Individual tickets will be sold at a later date.

Join Us in Celebrating our 75th Anniversary & Mel Taylor’s Legacy

Upon reflection, the first ripple is always memorable. Perhaps it was a small wave, a tiny wrinkle that subtly disturbed the surface, growing wider nonetheless. Other times the ripple is rapid and dynamic … a disruptive momentum that may forever change all touched by the waves. In either instance, a ripple is potentially the most powerful catalyst at the start of a new story.

At The Council on Recovery, we know about the ripple effect, it’s how our story – our journey – began. But the story of The Council is not just ours. It is the story of millions of lives touched by our work, and how their recoveries have rippled out across time to make our world a better place.

We have long understood that every person’s challenge with addiction touches everyone and everything around them. This is why we are so deeply committed to helping every individual discover his or her power to harness the momentum of healing and positively impact others.

For 75 years, we have been a powerful center of hope, spreading waves of light across the dark and lonely landscape of addiction. From our humble beginnings with one phone and a single employee, we sought to reach out, to educate and serve. That focus has endured over the years and especially blossomed under the leadership of President and CEO Mel Taylor. Together, we have created models for treatment and collaboration that have become systems of care across the community. We have trained tens of thousands of professionals and strategically mapped our future to ensure longevity in the communities we serve.

Join us Friday, April 22, 2021, from 12-1 pm for a special 75^th anniversary celebration of The Council on Recovery to honor the work of our founders, board members, partners, staff, clients and our supporters. And help us celebrate the retirement of our President and CEO Mel Taylor and the 28 years of ripples he has created through his vision and servant leadership.

At The Council on Recovery, we have always believed that everyone has a contribution to make to the world. That’s why our work is so important and so powerful. Every life touched by The Council reaches out to another and another. The tide swells with every milestone, and together we are forging a better world.

To sponsor this special event, click here, or text COUNCIL75 to 41444. For questions on this event and sponsorships, contact Special Events at (281) 200-9336 or specialevents@councilonrecovery.org.

Page 1 of 212

Tag: fundraising