OUR MISSION AND PROCESS

Our mission for Think Of Michael is to help other individuals and families battling substance use disorder and create effective change where so much change is desperately needed. We have been making a significant impact fighting this epidemic with the goal always being to change and save as many lives as we possibly can. A big part of it for our family is keeping Michael's legacy alive and honoring his memory while touching as many lives along the way and truly make a difference.

We have identified a real need for assistance for those individuals transitioning from detox and treatment to a sober house. We want everyone who needs and wants, to have access to continued aftercare treatment while living in a sober, safe, supportive environment with other people experiencing the same issues. Coming straight out of treatment, most people do not have current employment or the funds at that point to allow for a smooth transition to a sober house if that is even a possibility for them at all. Sober houses are not covered by health insurance, so often times people fresh out of treatment are discouraged by the added stress of finding a place to live, a job, food and get a paycheck to pay rent somewhere immediately. Dealing with all of this while already in a very vulnerable place, fresh out of treatment where there exists a list of stressors, sobriety related and life related. They work hard and try to redefine or repair their lives, careers, families, relationships, marriages, friendships, legal issues and adjust to a completely new way of life in new surroundings, with new associates, usually far from family or any loved ones. Unfortunately, many are forced to go back to the same environment that they came from, to the same people, places and things, which is one of the most common reasons for a relapse. This is what we are preventing for the people we accept through our Foundation.

We aim to follow how Michael lived his life, always being the first person to help anyone with anything, nothing was too big and nothing too small, from friends and family to strangers on the street. He was a generous and caring person always. This is why we know we are doing what he'd want us to be doing. We know he's looking down on us proud of all the work we are doing to help other people and families. It couldn't be any more fitting to honor Michael.

OUR PARTNERSHIP

Think Of Michael is partners with Magnolia New Beginnings, Inc.(www.magnolianewbeginnings.org), an established and successful Massachusetts based 501(c)3 non-profit organization with 24 state chapters and a very large, expanding network. Under the leadership of Maureen Cavanagh (author of If You Love Me), their organization has been offering the opportunity of financial needs based scholarships to people who have completed the clinical stabilization level of care that then require housing assistance in a safe, sober and supportive environment with others going through the same experience. They have a proven process with their network of clinicians as well as a list of sober houses that are all MASH approved and moreover pass our own personal visits, inspections and periodic follow up visits to ensure that the homes we place people in continue to always maintain our high standards and specific criteria. This helps us to ensure we always put our recipients in the absolute best possible situations to achieve long term success in their recovery and achieve a new way of life.

We continue to work together and grow as partners with Magnolia New Beginnings and we are making an even bigger difference and impact together!