Wellness is not just about being free from illness; it’s about making choices that lead to a healthy, fulfilling life. Gateway believes that supporting a culture of wellness helps people to enjoy their journey and keep going. When individuals thrive, it also strengthens the whole community.
In an article entitled, Can Connection Cure Addiction?, Johann Hari writes, “Professor Peter Cohen argues that human beings have a deep need to bond and form connections. It’s how we get our satisfaction. If we can’t connect with each other, we will connect with anything we can find—the whir of a roulette wheel or the prick of a syringe.
He says we should stop talking about ‘addiction’ altogether, and instead call it ‘bonding.’ A heroin addict has bonded with heroin because they couldn’t bond as fully with anything else.”
Gateway’s Wellness Program is dedicated to creating opportunities and experiences that break down the stigma of addiction and mental health and bridge the gap to community connections.
R.A.W. Luncheons take place three times a year and are an opportunity for Gateway staff, patients, volunteers, and community members to come together for connection and resource sharing, a delicious free lunch, and an inspiring story of hope and recovery. A free registration link is available about a month before the luncheon and can be accessed via Gateway’s Facebook page, website, email, and treatment offices, as well as email. There are also many ways to be involved.
Obtain 10 hours of community service or a meeting for drug court by attending. Additional hours are available for those who help!
Set up a resource table.
Volunteer the day of the luncheon.
Donate to make the luncheons free and accessible to everyone!
Contact Alicja Carter, Wellness Director, at acarter@gatewaytoprevention.org or 405-432-2750 for more information.
In March 2020, during the start of the pandemic, we had to pivot our R.A.W. Luncheons from in-person gatherings and take our program virtual. Thankfully, this approach allowed us to reach a greater span of people to continue spreading the message of hope in recovery. While we have returned to in-person R.A.W. Luncheons, our previous R.A.W. Connection Calls are available for you to watch and enjoy.
In 2019, Life.Church chose Gateway as one of its mission partners, stating a commitment to provide relief and restoration to its community through volunteerism and corresponding funds, believing that we can do infinitely more together than we can apart. This partnership allowed Gateway to develop a Volunteer Program that welcomes both Life.Church participants and non-affiliated community members alike to serve and make a long lasting impact on Gateway’s people and programs for generations to come.
Why Volunteers Matter
Volunteers help people on their recovery journey feel seen, accepted, and encouraged.
Volunteers help meet staff and patients’ needs that would otherwise fall through the cracks due to lack of resources or people power.
Volunteers open doors to new people, ideas, and possibilities for Gateway’s staff, patients, and programs.
Volunteers help tell Gateway’s story of hope and reframe the negative stereotypes and stigma of addiction.
Gateway Glow is our quarterly newsletter, offering an inside look at the impactful work of our staff, patients, and community partners. We hope that sharing even a small piece of our story keeps you informed, connected, and inspired.
​
Help reduce stigma around addiction and mental health by sharing this newsletter with others!
Gateway is a grateful contributor to the Shawnee Outlook. Our articles seek to educate, encourage, and empower community members around the issues of prevention, treatment, and wellness.
