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Matters of Substance
Fall 2008
Executive Director's Corner 
David E. Walsh,
Executive Director
| Dear Friends of RICAODD,
The RICAODD 39th Annual Community Service Awards were held on Thursday, September 18 at the West Valley Inn in West Warwick, RI. I am pleased to write that the event was a success! (Please see page 3 for pictures from the awards and the insert for a list of participants.) First of all, I would like to thank all of the Award recipients and all those who participated in our Awards Dinner. In particular, I would like to thank former Mayor of Providence, Vincent “Buddy” Cianci who served as the evening's Master of Ceremonies, Father Charles O’Connor for the evening's Benediction, Jim Gillen for the pre-Event entertainment, Fundraising Chairperson Jeremy Duncan, photographer Joy MacPherson and lastly the RICAODD Board for their hard work and dedication. We are very pleased that the Awards Dinner was a success when one considers the environment of extensive cuts that have been imposed by the State on agencies in the treatment field including our Agency. I hope that people in the field of alcohol and drug treatment as well as "friends of recovery" will keep us in mind in the future and join us in our mission by purchasing a membership to the Council. (Please see the insert for the membership form.) I also hope that you will continue to purchase our 2008 Provider Directories, the order form for which can also be found in the insert. The Rhode Island Council hopes to open new Recovery Houses in the near future and applications for housing are available at the office or on-line at www.ricaodd.org. If you wish to donate to the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence through the United Way, please contact the United Way and reference us by name. Again, thank you to all who made our Event such a success by participating in our Awards Dinner and I hope to see you all again next year! Sincerely,
David E. Walsh
Executive Director |
 Recovery Housing Update 
Jim McEnery,
Housing Coordinator | The Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism would like to welcome our new Housing Coordinator, Jim McEnery. Jim McEnery has an associates degree from Johnson and Wales University. He has worked in the past as the Office Manager of Furnace and Duct Supply Company of Providence. Jim is looking forward to working with those in the recovery houses and we are happy to have him! The Recovery Housing Program is in need of donations of beds, mattresses, bureaus, lamps, televisions and kitchen utensils. Please contact the office at 401-725-0410 if you would like to make a donation. |
Helpline News 
Albert Silva
Volunteer of the Year
| This month the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence held our 39th Annual Community Service Awards. One of our volunteers, Albert Silva, was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award. Albert Silva has been service learning with the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism since September 2005. He has spent his volunteer time answering the 24 Hour Helpline and helping in the office. He also completed an internship with the Council, specifically focusing on the Helpline recently. Albert is attending the Community College of Rhode Island and will transfer to Rhode Island College after he acquires his Associates Degree in social work/substance abuse. Albert has been sober since September 14, 2004. He actively attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on a weekly basis and is very thankful for the wisdom the program has given him. Mr. Silva is 38 years old and has one son. He is currently engaged. He was born in Providence, RI and currently resides in Warwick, RI. Albert will be returning to do another internship with the Council focusing on the Recovery Housing Program, starting in September 2008. The RICAODD would like to thank Albert for his long-time, dedicated and reliable service to the council and to those struggling with addiction. His positive attitude and willingness to learn have been a pleasure to be around for the past three years. Job well done! Sincerely, Heather MacPherson
Executive Assistant |
The Art of Listening: A Skill Worth Learning Twelve Step recovery is based on the idea that healing from addiction begins when you become willing to share your story with another person. Our personal stories help us make sense of who we are, where we've been, and who we are becoming. However, telling our stories is only part of the equation. It is also important to listen to each other with attentive ears and open hearts. "Listening and speaking build bridges to understanding and compassion," said Cecelia Jayme, supervisor of a women's addiction treatment unit at Hazelden. "It is important to be able to speak what's in our hearts and heads and stop living in isolation with our thoughts and feelings. And it's an honor for listeners when someone trusts you enough to hear those thoughts and feelings." However, it isn't easy to be an active listener in today's world, which is filled with so much noise, so many distractions, and too much to do. Instead of emptying our minds so we can really hear what someone is saying, we are often too preoccupied with our own unrelated concerns or too eager to get our point across that we don't really pay attention to the speaker. But deep listening can be transformational. It conveys respect and empowers the speaker. When you listen attentively to someone, you convey the message, "This is important; you are important." An adult who listens respectfully makes a better employer, coworker, spouse, parent and friend. A child who is listened to attentively is more likely to share things with a parent. "It's so important not to minimize what children say," said Jayme. "Shame-based systems begin in childhood. If children are ignored or responded to with a silly quip, they may think they're not deserving of being heard and they might act out in negative ways." Active listening takes time and practice, but it is a worthwhile skill we can all learn and hone. Active listeners learn to suspend lecturing, squash the desire to talk about themselves or their experiences, and avoid downplaying a speaker's concerns. Practice the following active listening strategies and see what changes in your relationships: · Whether the speaker is your child, your spouse, your friend, or your boss, give them your full attention by focusing on them and what they are saying. Turn off the television, the radio and your computer and turn toward the speaker so you can observe their body language. · Show you are listening by asking for clarification when needed, by making eye contact and by adding an occasional "uh-huh," "I see," or nodding your head. "Listening isn't only done with the ears," said Jayme. "Our body language, our way of dressing, and our environments all send a message." · Show that you understand by occasionally paraphrasing what another person has said by asking things such as "Are you saying such and such?" or "What I heard you say is. . ." · Try to listen without judgment and resist the urge to interject your opinion. · Make room for silence and give the speaker time to gather thoughts. It's fine to ask if they're done speaking before you respond. · Don't give advice or diminish the speaker's experience or reactions. For example, if a child is upset that a teacher reprimanded him or her, don't infer blame by asking "What did you do?" or trivialize feelings with "There's nothing to be afraid of." Instead, validate feelings by saying something like "That must have been difficult" or "Sometimes new things are scary." · Pay attention to how good you feel the next time you are really listened to and notice what the listener did to make you feel that way. Then try those same techniques when it is your turn to listen. "Come forward with a learner's mind and be open," said Jayme. "We all need to feel we are being heard; that we are cared about, and that what we say has meaning and importance.” So learn to listen, and listen to learn. Originally Published July 21, 2008 "Listening and speaking build bridges to understanding and compassion," said Cecelia Jayme, supervisor of a women's addiction treatment unit at Hazelden. "It is important to be able to speak what's in our hearts and heads and stop living in isolation with our thoughts and feelings. And it's an honor for listeners when someone trusts you enough to hear those thoughts and feelings." However, it isn't easy to be an active listener in today's world, which is filled with so much noise, so many distractions, and too much to do. Instead of emptying our minds so we can really hear what someone is saying, we are often too preoccupied with our own unrelated concerns or too eager to get our point across that we don't really pay attention to the speaker. But deep listening can be transformational. It conveys respect and empowers the speaker. When you listen attentively to someone, you convey the message, "This is important; you are important." An adult who listens respectfully makes a better employer, coworker, spouse, parent and friend. A child who is listened to attentively is more likely to share things with a parent. "It's so important not to minimize what children say," said Jayme. "Shame-based systems begin in childhood. If children are ignored or responded to with a silly quip, they may think they're not deserving of being heard and they might act out in negative ways." Active listening takes time and practice, but it is a worthwhile skill we can all learn and hone. Active listeners learn to suspend lecturing, squash the desire to talk about themselves or their experiences, and avoid downplaying a speaker's concerns. Practice the following active listening strategies and see what changes in your relationships: · Whether the speaker is your child, your spouse, your friend, or your boss, give them your full attention by focusing on them and what they are saying. Turn off the television, the radio and your computer and turn toward the speaker so you can observe their body language. · Show you are listening by asking for clarification when needed, by making eye contact and by adding an occasional "uh-huh," "I see," or nodding your head. "Listening isn't only done with the ears," said Jayme. "Our body language, our way of dressing, and our environments all send a message." · Show that you understand by occasionally paraphrasing what another person has said by asking things such as "Are you saying such and such?" or "What I heard you say is. . ." · Try to listen without judgment and resist the urge to interject your opinion. · Make room for silence and give the speaker time to gather thoughts. It's fine to ask if they're done speaking before you respond. · Don't give advice or diminish the speaker's experience or reactions. For example, if a child is upset that a teacher reprimanded him or her, don't infer blame by asking "What did you do?" or trivialize feelings with "There's nothing to be afraid of." Instead, validate feelings by saying something like "That must have been difficult" or "Sometimes new things are scary." · Pay attention to how good you feel the next time you are really listened to and notice what the listener did to make you feel that way. Then try those same techniques when it is your turn to listen. "Come forward with a learner's mind and be open," said Jayme. "We all need to feel we are being heard; that we are cared about, and that what we say has meaning and importance.” So learn to listen, and listen to learn. Originally Published July 21, 2008 Alive & Free is a health column that offers information to help prevent and address addiction and substance abuse problems. It is provided by Hazelden, a nonprofit agency based in Center City, Minn., that offers a wide range of information and services on addiction and recovery. For more resources, call Hazelden at 1-800-257-7800 or check its Web site at www.hazelden.org. For more on Alive & Free, visit www.hazelden.org/aliveandfree. Direct your inquiries to mduda@hazelden.org. |
39th Annual Community Service Awards a Success!! Congratulations to our Award Recipients: 
Albert Silva, Volunteer of
the Year, with Buddy Cianci | 
Dorothy M. Bianco, Community Service Award Winner, with David Walsh and Buddy Cianci | 
Senator John J. Tassoni, Jr., Appreciation Award Winner, with David Walsh and Buddy Cianci | 
Paul MacDonald, James H. Ottmar Award Winner, with Buddy Cianci | 
Suzanne C. Swanson, President’s Award
Winner | 
Fred Trapassi accepting the Bronze Key Award on behalf of of Patrick McEneaney |
Family Fun In Rhode Island!
October 3-25, 2008Pumpkins in the Park, Pawtucket Fridays and Saturdays. Slater Memorial Park, Newport Avenue and Armistice Boulevard. Seasonal family fun event with the Haunted Halloween Tunnel and Pumpkins in the Park Display. Call (401) 728-0500 x252, or visit the City of Pawtucket website for more information October 4, 2008Cranberry Thanksgiving, Exeter 1:00pm–4:00pm. Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum, 390 Summit Road. Come celebrate the harvest of the cranberries with dancing, singing, and storytelling. Raffle, food, gifts, museum tour. Call (401) 539-7213, email lorenspears@tomaquagmuseum.com, or visit the Tomaquag Museum website for more information. October 4-5, 200833rd Annual Harvest Fair, Middletown 10:00am–5:00pm. Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road. A cherished family tradition on Aquidneck Island; experience delicious food, handmade arts and crafts, fun activities, games for the entire family, and wonderful entertainment. Call (401) 846-2577, or visit the Norman Bird Sanctuary website for more information. October 5, 2008Textile Arts Celebration, Pawtucket Slater Mill Historic Site, 67 Roosevelt Avenue. Enjoy live demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, quilting, felting and basket making. Call (401) 725-8638, email info@slatermill.org, or visit the Slater Mill website for more information. Open House at Arnold House, Lincoln 11:00am–4:00pm. Eleazar Arnold House, 487 Great Road. Join a representative from Historic New England for a tour of this rarely-open seventeenth-century stone-ender. Visit the Historic New England website for more information. Narragansett Nation Annual Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving, Charlestown Four Winds Building, Route 2. Call (401) 364-1100, or visit the Narragansett Indian Tribe website for more information. October 6, 2008Exhibit Opening: Remnants of Hamilton Mill, North Kingstown 7:00pm–8:15pm. North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone Street. Call (401) 294-3306, email sberman@nklibrary.org, or visit the North Kingstown Free Library website for more information. October 9, 2008All Hallows Eve Tea, Portsmouth Begins at 7:00pm. Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Road. Join Rita Parisi as "Mrs. Gordon" for a ghostly tea party perfect for the haunting season. Be chilled and thrilled as she recants some of her own uncanny experiences with the supernatural, andd discusses 1908 Halloween traditions and spiritualism, including her recent attendance of a seance. Call (401) 683-9457, or visit the Portsmouth Free Public Library website for more information. Newport Gallery Night, Newport 5:00pm–8:00pm. Various venues. Art exhibits at galleries include handblown glass, woodblock prints, award-winning photography, international handcrafts, and fine arts. Many of the galleries host opening receptions, and introduce artists and new exhibits on Gallery Night. Free admission to all galleries; free parking at Newport Visitors Information Center, 23 America's Cup Avenue, or Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Avenue. Call (401) 848-8200, or visit the Newport Art Galleries website for more information. October 11, 2008WaterFire, Providence Begins at dusk. Waterplace Park. Water, light, smoke, music, and street performers combine to form an elemental art experience. Free. Call (401) 272-3111, or visit the WaterFire website for more information. October 11-13, 2008Scituate Art Festival, North Scituate, Scituate 10:00am–5:00pm. Village Green, Route 116. 300+ artists and craftspeople, thirty antiques dealers, arts and crafts raffle, musical entertainement, regional and ethnic foods. Call (401) 647-0057. Visit the Scituate Art Festival website for more information. 15th Annual International Oktoberfest, Newport Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf. Authentic German Oktoberfest celebration with lively Bavarian music, delicious German and American cuisine, biergarten, weingarten, special area for children, marketplace, and amusement rides. Admission: Adults $10 ($8 in advance), children under 12 FREE with an adult. Call (401) 846-1600, or visit the Newport Waterfront Festivals website for more information. Autumnfest 2008, Woonsocket 10:00am–10:00pm. World War II Memorial State Park, Social Street. Blackstone River Valley's largest annual family festival includes entertanment, kidfest, arts and crafts, food concessions, sporting events, gigantic midway, fireworks, ten division Columbus Day Parade, consumer showcase, and Rotary beer tent. Free admission. Call (401) 769-6550, email jacobvideo@cox.net, or visit the Autumnfest website for more information. 4th Annual Blackstone River Valley Footsteps in History, Throughout the Blackstone River Valley Various venues. Celebrate Preserve America weekend with public events, attractions, open houses, and tours highlighting the heritage, culture, nature, and recreation of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Activities in twenty-four cities and towns from Worcester, Massachusetts, to Providence, Rhode Island. Call 1-800-454-2882, email bvfootsteps@aol.com, or visit the Footsteps in History website for more information. October 12, 2008Columbus Day Parade, Westerly Begins at 1:00pm. Granite Street. Rhode Island's largest Columbus Day Parade—ten divisions, 2.5 mile parade route. Call (401) 348-8782 for more information. Open House at Arnold House, Lincoln 11:00am–4:00pm. Eleazar Arnold House, 487 Great Road. Join a representative from Historic New England for a tour of this rarely-open seventeenth-century stone-ender. Visit the Historic New England website for more information. October 13, 2008Public Walk-In Hours at Biomes, North Kingstown 12:00pm–4:00pm. Biomes Marine Biology Center, 221 Shady Lea Road. Biomes is the only privately owned marine education center in the state focusing on marine fish and invertebrates collected from local waters. See all of these animals and get your hands wet with our hands-on exhibits featuring live sea creatures. $5 per person for three years old and up. Call (401-295-4690, or visit the Biomes Marine Biology Center website for more information. October 16, 2008If These Walls Could Talk: John Brown House, Providence Begins at 6:30pm. John Brown House Museum, 52 Power Street. Michael Carroll will speak on historic furniture and some specific pieces in the museum. Free, but please RSVP to (401) 331-8575 x45, email programs@rihs.org, or visit the Rhode Island Historical Society website for more information. Gallery Night, Providence 5:00pm–9:00pm. Various venues. Hop a free Art Bus and visit more than two dozen galleries, museums, and historic sites. Free parking at select locations. Call (401) 751-2628, or visit Gallery Night Providence for more information. October 17-19, 2008Fortress of Nightmares, Newport 7:00pm–9:00pm. Fort Adams State Park, off Harrison Avenue. Guides will lead the way through spooky areas of the Fort not usually seen on regular tours, and you will hear the eerie, bizarre, and macabre tales of the Fort's long history and legend from the resident "spirits" themselves! Tours are weather dependant and sturdy footwear is required; not recommended for children under 12. Call (401) 841-0707, or visit the Fort Adams website for more information October 18, 2008Colonial Harvest Festival, Wickford, North Kingstown 12:00pm–4:00pm. Smith's Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive. Experience the days of the eighteenth century corn husking festivals when the Updike family of Smith's Castle presided over one of the largest of the Narragansett Plantations. Savor homemade seasonal treats and enjoy live entertainment. Rain date October 19. Call (401) 294-3521, or visit the Smith's Castle website for more information. Harvest Breakfast, Coventry 8:30am–10:30am. Summit Hall, 12 Old Summit Road. Enjoy a hearty harvest breakfast with the Coventry Historical Society. Eggs, ham, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, beans, cornbread, homemade pies, and beverages. Call (401) 397-7616 for more information. October 18-19, 2008Bowen's Wharf Waterfront Seafood Festival, Newport 11:00am–5:00pm. Bowen's Wharf, America's Cup Avenue. Food! Food! Food! Area seafood restaurants serve up their most outstanding dishes. The festival offers a smorgasboard of seafood, plus kid-friendly dishes, baked goods, cider, and hot and cold beverages. Non-stop live music by local bands. Face painting, games, and other fun children's activities. Free admission, rain or shine. Call (401) 849-2120, or visit the Bowen's Wharf website for more information. October 23-26, 20089th Annual Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival, Providence Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway. New England's oldest and largest film festival dedicated to the spooky and macabre, noted for its presentation of restored work, including silent films with live accompaniment. Features include a spectre-acular family day, giveaways, book signings, and awards for Best Feature and Best Short, plus much more. Call (401) 861-4445, or visit the Rhode Island International Film Festival website for more information. October 24, 2008CamPAIN 2008!, Woonsocket Begins at 7:30pm. Stadium Theatre. Charlie Hall is back with his 'posse of punsters' in this wild and wacky look at the upcoming elections. The Ocean State Follies will be joined by comic Frank O'Donnell, impressionists John Roarke and Ron Hayden, WPRO'S John DePetro, and NBC-10's Geve Valicenti. Tickets are $15 and $20. Call (401) 762-4545 for tickets, or visit the Ocean State Follies website for more information. October 24-26, 2008Fortress of Nightmares, Newport 7:00pm–9:00pm. Fort Adams State Park, off Harrison Avenue. Guides will lead the way through spooky areas of the Fort not usually seen on regular tours, and you will hear the eerie, bizarre, and macabre tales of the Fort's long history and legend from the resident "spirits" themselves! Tours are weather dependant and sturdy footwear is required; not recommended for children under 12. Call (401) 841-0707, or visit the Fort Adams website for more information October 25, 2008Home Movie Day, Providence 1:00pm–4:00pm. Aldrich House, 110 Benevolent Street. Bring your 8mm, Super 8mm, and 16mm home movies to be screened as part of a worldwide celebration of amateur film. Films should be delivered to the RIHS Library, 121 Hope Street, Providence, during open hours. Free and open to the public. Call (401) 273-8107 x20, email keberhart@rihs.org, or visit the Rhode Island Historical Society website for more information. October 25-26, 200818th Annual Indoor Powwow, Warwick Trudeau Memorial Center, 3445 Post Road. Enjoy pony rides, a bunny corral, barbecue, authentic teepee, and more than twenty native vendors. Call (401) 739-2700 for more information.
RICAODD would like to extend a special thank you to all of the sponsors of our
39th Annual Community Service Awards!
| Business Sponsorships · Treatment Solutions Network · Willow Laboratories Supporter Sponsorships · Rhode Island Hospital · Discovery House · Marworth · Axion Business Technologies Advertisements · Reckitt Benckiser · Public Employee’s Local Union 1033 · R.I. Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, AFT, AFL-CIO |
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