In 1984 a young man named Gary Silverman, while here in Impact for treatment, wrote this letter to his parents.
"Dear Mom & Dad,
I am learning every aspect of not only working in the kitchen, but working with other drug addicts from every walk of life, there really is a very accurate cross - section of society here. I feel comfortable here and truly have hope and strength and when I can't find it in myself, there are always people at my side to lend their hopes and strengths and support...these people are all here for the same reason, so that no one is really that different from the other, and in that way I feel part of the house and the miracle that goes on here every day..."
Gary stayed on at Impact after treatment to become a caseworker, however, shortly before he would celebrate his second year clean from drugs, Gary passed away. His father was with him in the hospital just before he died. He was talking about what Impact meant to him, how it had given him the strength to stay clean and told him that the last two years of his life had been the best he could remember since he had been twelve years old.
Shortly after Gary's death his family established the Gary Silverman Fund. It is a fund designed to meet basic emergency needs of our indigent clients. Dentistry and optical services are examples of the types of aid given through this fund. This fund is also used is to provide for shoes and clothing, transportation and unanticipated emergency needs that sometimes occur during the course of a client's stay.
For questions or if you wish to make a donation, please call Arlene Philpott at 866-734-4200
