SummerQuest Carnival day makes a splash!

On Friday, July 15th, Summerquest, Amethyst's summer day camp, held their first carnival! Amethyst employees and volunteers didn’t skip out on anything between the dunk tank, snow cone machine and moon bounce. All ages could enjoy fun activities like corn hole, cookie decorating, basketball, face painting and many more. Each game or activity won the kids various amounts of tickets to cash in at a prize table. The water guns and sticky hands seemed to be the best sellers, while the coveted beanie babies disappeared fast! Although the prize table brought lots of smiles, many would say the relay races were the highlight of the day. Camp members, moms, and volunteers formed two teams that competed in a series of challenging races; some involved hula hoops while others involved running with water! After the races, everyone chowed down on tasty Papa Johns pizza and racked up there last few tickets to cash in for prizes. Needless to say memories were made at SummerQuest’s first carnival, and as one camper stated as the day came to an end, “we can’t wait for next year!”

The carnival would not have been possible without the generous help of volunteers from Zonta, The Women’s Fund, Oxford Consulting, Columbia Gas and Nationwide. Special thanks to Amethyst board members Vicki Abbott, Judi French, Michelle Kerr and Terri Forgy who also gave their time to volunteer at the carnival. Amethyst sincerely thanks every volunteer for making the carnival a success.

Director of Drug Control Policy Visits Amethyst

On July 11th, Amethyst welcomed Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and White House Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske to the Jefferson Housing Unit. The visit consisted of a press conference in which Director Kirlikowskie presented 2011 National Drug Policy from the Office of the President. "We are very supportive of family-based treatment," Kerlikowske said in the news conference. "It keeps families intact." 
After the press conference, the Senator and Director were able to take a tour of the housing unit as well as speak with other Amethyst clients about their experiences with addiction and Amethyst recovery programs. The event as a whole was an inspiring tribute to Amethyst, but also a boost of encouragement to all involved in the fight against addiction because we know such great politicians are on our side.


Director Kerlikowske explained that Amethyst was a quintessential place to present this policy because Amethyst is a unique treatment facility and makes a profound impact in progress of recovery. Senator Sherrod Brown then shared details on his new Medicaid bill he is hoping to pass which would severely limit the abuse of prescription drugs. Before the conclusion of the press conference, Amethyst clients Tara and Cindy both were able to share their stories and how Amethyst has positively affected their lives.


Watch news coverage at http://www.amethyst-inc.org/index.php/News-Media

Kroger Makes an Impact!

This month, Amethyst opened a new apartment building, allowing us to expand treatment and residential services to more women each year. This amazing opportunity also came with the challenge of stocking and furnishing 17 apartments. Kroger jumped into action, donating 15 new couches, valued at $5,000.
 
Kroger supports Amethyst via multiple efforts throughout the year. Amethyst receives funds from the Kroger Community Rewards program, discounted and donated furnishing, donations of food for events and more!
 
On behalf of all the women and children of Amethyst, thank you Kroger for your continued support!

Zonta Hosts Cooking Class!

On May 27^th, the women of Zonta Columbus put on a cooking class led by talented cook and Zontian, Carol Jenkins. Zonta, an organization dedicated to women empowerment, has been a sponsor of Amethyst for many years and has partnered with Amethyst in their endeavors to support women’s recovery. The cooking class was a delightful evening for all, but also very valuable to the twenty-five Amethyst clients that attended. The women learned how to make meatloaf, coleslaw, corn casserole and jello salad, all with healthy and cost-savvy ingredients.

        “We wanted to give them confidence in the kitchen,” says Zontian Alice Tyler, “and we had a blast cooking and learning together!” So not only did Zonta provide a free, delicious meal, they provided skills the Amethyst clients can use to benefit themselves and their families. Amethyst thanks Zonta for their donations and services, but most of all the fun memories made!

Written by: Megan Tyler

Nationwide Transforms Amethyst Properties!

This May, volunteers from Nationwide Insurance donated time, resources and sweat to help beautify the outside of multiple Amethyst apartment buildings.

Volunteers showed up early in the morning, excited and ready to help create a better space for families dedicated to recovery. They spent the day mulching, planting and painting. When the Amethyst women saw the new landscaping, they were overwhelmed. One client shared "the flowers bring a smile to my face every day."

As if this wasn't enough, Nationwide volunteers returned a few days later, in partnership with United Way of Central Ohio, to install a playground at another Amethyst property, that previously did not have many safe places for the children to play outdoors.

If your organization would like to get involved, contact Nanon Morrison, Development Director.

Give Direct Central Ohio

The Human Service Chamber of Central Ohio has recently launched a new online giving portal, Give Direct Central Ohio. www.givedirectcentralohio.org. This unique online giving Web site allows visitors to select from more than 70 agencies and donate directly to the organization of choice. Amethyst is amongst the many worthy non-profits listed on the Give Direct Ohio Web site.

Why use www.givedirectohio.org? This resource will allow you to do all of your philanthropic giving from one central location… and 100 percent of the donations go directly to the organization of your choice. The Human Service Chamber of Central Ohio will accept all processing fees and

While you can still donate via Amethyst’s Web site, www.amethyst-inc.org or by phone or standard mail, this Web site offers the community a wonderful resource for fundraising and collective community strength.

Check out www.givedirectcentralohio.org and designate a gift to support Amethyst!

Read more http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/05/16/new-website-allows-direct-donations-to-dozens-of-local-charities.html.

NAWN Raises over $20,000 for Amethyst!

The New Albany Women's Network (NAWN) held their 12th annual charity spring fashion show this past March, and chose Amethyst to be their beneficiary! This lively afternoon featured food, fashion and socializing- all for a great cause, which was to help fund Amethysts' SummerQuest Program. The SummerQuest program supports Amethysts' endeavors to assist women in recovery by providing a fun camp experience and counseling for children of women undergoing treatment. The event was made possible by the generous support of the presenting sponsor, Limited Brands. In addition to the fashion show, there was a silent auction and a Martketplace in which patrons could purchase clothing, jewelry and accessories. NAWN marketed and coordinated this event swimmingly, as the turnout superseded their expectations. The fashion show ended up raising over $20,000, but NAWN didn't stop there. They graciously donated toys and gift cards in another effort to benefit the success of SummerQuest. All of the women, children and employees at Amethyst send their dearest thanks to NAWN for all of their help and support. If you have an organization that you would like to get involved with the Amethyst mission, please contact Nanon Morrison, at nmorrison@amethyst-inc.org.

Written by: Megan Tyler

A Step in the Right Direction!

On September 10, 2011, Amethyst will host the inaugural walk/5krun for recovery at Wolfe Park from 8:00-10:00 am. Amethyst is thrilled to be adding this event to their many ventures in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Amethyst as we strive to end the cycle of addiction and trauma and reduce the stigma associated with women in recovery.

Event Details

Date:	Saturday, September 10, 2011
Location:	Wolfe Park Shelter House 105 Park Drive Columbus, OH 43209
Parking:	Parking is free
Time:	9:00 AM  walk/5K run begins, registration at 8:00 AM
Entry Fee:	$25 to walk in the event, $30 to run (both prices will increase by $5 the day of the event)
Benefits:	All registrants will receive a walk t-shirt. Runners will also receive a timing chip.

Want to get involved? Get some friends together and start a team! The team captain's duties may be found at http://www.walkforrecovery.org/, as well as any information one would need to form a team, donate to a team or join an existing team. Individual runners are encouraged to participate as well (this also includes individual walkers). All participants may register online for a minimum donation fee of $25 for walkers and $30 for runners. 

Nervous about fundraising? Forming teams and bringing in donations is easier than you think! On the website, the Amethyst Development Team has provided almost 20 different tips and tools to recruit team members and bring in donations. Amethyst hopes this fundraiser to be one that involves the whole community, as A Step in the Right Direction also welcomes corporate sponsorships. Please contact Nanon Morrison at
614.221.7293 or nmorrison@amethyst-inc.org if you choose to sponsor the event of form a team. So no matter how you can participate, we encourage you to take part in this fundraising milestone for Amethyst and their cause!

Learn more about the walk!

Article Written By: Megan Tyler

Kroger Community Rewards- Re-enroll today!

Every year Kroger gives away $5 million through their Kroger Community Rewards program to non-profit organizations in Ohio and Michigan. Amethyst is one of the registered organizations that benefits from Kroger customers purchasing every day groceries.

Even if you are already a member, you need to re-enroll every summer to stay in the program!

The Kroger Community Rewards Program makes it easy for Kroger shoppers to register online to have a portion of the money they spend at Kroger go to a charity of their choice. Customers present their Kroger Plus Card at checkout at any Kroger location and funds will then be donated to their specified organization.

By enrolling or re-enrolling in the Kroger Community Rewards program with Amethyst we can earn up to $50, 000 every three months for women around central Ohio.

If you already support Amethyst through this program please remember to re-enroll this. If you are not yet enrolled please follow the directions below to join the cause.

1) CREATE A LOGIN:
a. Go to http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com/
b. Select OHIO, click on 'ENROLL', and then 'SIGN UP TODAY' (under new customer)
c. Enter your zip code, click 'FIND', and select your store (that you shop at most often)
d. Enter your email address and password, and CONFIRM
e. Now check your email, and click the link to confirm your sign-up

2) CHOOSE 'AMETHYST' AS YOUR CHARITY:
a. On the confirming link page, sign in (email address and password), and click 'EDIT KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS INFORMATION'
b. Enter your Kroger Plus Card Number, and click on 'SAVE CHANGES'
c. Enter your address, and click on 'SAVE CHANGES'
d. For NPO (non-profit organization), enter/choose # for Amethyst Inc., and click 'SAVE CHANGES'

SummerQuest Carnival Day!

Operating from June - August, SummerQuest is Amethyst’s 12-week intensive intervention day camp for children ages 6-14 whose mothers are involved in our long-term addiction recovery program.

In 2011, all sponsors will be invited to come to camp on Friday, July 15 for our first Summerquest Carnival. Sponsors will get a unique opportunity to interact with the Amethyst children they support at summer camp. Sponsors will work at booths such as ring toss, water balloon toss, and more! This event is open to all sponsors, partners and donors interested in being directly involved with the families we serve. 

For more information about Carnival Day, contact Nanon Morrison, Development Director.

For more information about SummerQuest, or to make a donation visit www.ilovesummerquest.org.

Soroptomists Help Celebrate Families

In the fall/winter of 2010, the Columbus Soroptimists supplied weekly meals and support to Amethyst's Celebrating Families! curriculum. Soroptimists is an organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.

Each week, a group of about five Soroptimists arrived at the Amethyst apartments, with a full family dinner, utensils, and even tablecloths and centerpieces. They decorated a dining area and then served the women and children involved in the Celebrating Families! curriculum. This act give the families a chance to sit down and interact at dinner time, discuss their day and the treatment curriculum. The women of Soroptimist joined right in--- laughter was heard down the halls and the Amethyst women and children looked forward to these delicious Thursday dinners.

Celebrating Families! is an evidence-based, cognitive, behavioral, support group model written for families when one or both parents have a serious problem with alcohol or other drugs. It engages every member of the family, increases child and parent skills, improves family functioning and increases successful family reunification. Celebrating Families! fosters the development of healthy, fulfilled, and addiction-free individuals and families by increasing resiliency factors and decreasing risk factors.

If you are a member of a group that would be interested in supporting the program and supplying meals in the future, contact Nanon Morrison, Amethyst's Development Director.

Portraits of Recovery at COSI

Every year, Amethyst supporters, alumna, sponsors and staff gather to celebrate the stories of the amazing women of who are brave enough to seek help from Amethyst and choose the path of recovery. This year Portraits of Recovery, presented by the Limited Foundation and AEP, will be a luncheon format from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at COSI, on April 8, 2011. Tickets are $45 each.

This year Amethyst is proud to announce NBC4's Colleen Marshall as our event emcee. Marshall has received various honor's for her work as a journalist and dedicates a large portion of her time and celebrity to help causes and non-profits in Central Ohio. Amethyst first encountered Marshall when she donated her time this fall to help paint Amethyst apartments for United Way's Community Care Day. Click here to read Marshall's full bio.

The event is centered around the stories of previous/current Amethyst clients. These women choose to share their stories to help inform others about their journey to recovery with Amethyst. Additionally the event will feature a basket auction, networking and a delicious catered lunch.

Check out the Portraits of Recovery Web site


For questions about sponsorship opportunities, contact Nanon Morrison, Development Director.

NAWN Fashion Show

The New Albany Women's Network (NAWN) was established in 1998 in an effort to bring women together throughout New Albany. Their annual Charity Fashion Show and Marketplace will take place on Saturday, March 12 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at The New Albany Country Club-- with all proceeds benefitting Amethyst.

General admission tickets with a standing view of the fashion show are $40. Tickets that include a seat along the runway of the show are $45. All tickets include an impressive selection of hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and shopping in the Marketplace with some fun new vendors, and a fabulous selection of silent auction items!

Purchase tickets or get more information at www.nawn.org.

We hope to see you there... whether you live in New Albany or you are just looking for a nice day with friends to benefit an amazing cause!

The 2011 Fashion Show Chairs
Stephanie Demers
Tara Ellenberg
Dee Kates
Laraine Martin

Amethyst Expands

Almost two years ago, Amethyst was fortunate enough to announce the expansion our housing to include a beautiful three story apartment building, located on the historic Jefferson Avenue.

Now in 2011, we have the pleasure to announce that we will be expanding both our housing and treatment capacity again. Even with a 27% increase in capacity over the past year, we have growing demand and wait for our program. This spring, we are opening additional treatment space on East Mound Street (across from our current offices) and are planning additional sober housing capacity, too.

Amethyst recently received a grant from SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) that will partially support this treatment expansion.

Special thanks to our partners King Business Interiors and Kroger who have both committed to helping furnish this new space and to all community members and donors who continue to support our efforts!

If you are a member of a group or organization that would like to furnish an apartment, contact Nanon, Development Director.

Zonta Spring Style Show

The Zonta Luncheon and Style Show will take place Saturday, April 30th at the Columbus Country Club, with silent auction and networking beginning at 11:00 a.m. Event proceeds will benefit the following organizations:

Amethyst, Inc.
JOIN (Joint Organization of Inner-City Needs)
The Outstanding Young Women Program

Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Over time they have shown their support of Amethyst through financial and in-kind donations as well as volunteering their time.

Tickets to the event are only $40. To purchase a ticket or make a donation, send check (payable to Zonta Service Foundation of Columbus) to:

Margaret Trent
5301 Hollister Street
Columbus, Ohio

Call 614.442.1782 with any questions.

We hope you can attend to support the amazing women of Zonta, and the work of all the organizations that will benefit from this event.