PAACA – An indispensable resource in treating addiction

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by Leo Monteiro

Our city, like many in the Commonwealth finds itself in the grips of an opioid epidemic. Addiction comes with a high cost; loss of employment, family, trust and even self-worth. Who can you turn to, who can your family and friends reach out to? Sometimes it’s hard to find the answer or the resources to get help. Often a person might not want help and sometimes it takes being at your lowest point to finally make that decision. When that moment comes it’s important to know that someone is listening, that someone actually gives a damn.

In New Bedford, for the past 34 years a ray of hope has shined bright, like a beacon in the fog. That organization is PAACA (Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction), founded in 1983 and dedicated to providing quality substance abuse and treatment services in the heart of New Bedford.

Every day they meet the needs and challenges of a diverse and ever changing population. PAACA is a registered Non-Profit and relies heavily on donations grant funding and volunteers to help a growing community struggling with addiction.

Through education and outreach they have established themselves as an invaluable community resource. PAACA provides innovative adult services by viewing their clients holistically, taking the person and making them whole over time.

On any given day you might find the staff doing Detox referrals, running a support group, organizing transportation or getting folks permanent housing. There is also a food pantry to maintain as well as clean clothing for those in need. Working hand in hand with the Braz / Bean Memorial Community Center the staff collaborates to provide for hundreds of families. Like any non-profit the needs are great and the resources limited.

Today especially the greatest challenge the organization is facing is transportation. Often times they are able to secure a bed for someone in treatment, but lack the means to get the person there. That jeopardizes their slot and might delay or even prevent the client from getting the help they need. To that end, the organization is aggressively looking to purchase a vehicle to help ease the burden on their staff and volunteers.

One of the ways they are looking to accomplish this is through some innovative fundraising. On September 29th PAACA is hosting their 1st Annual Golf Tournament at the Bay Pointe Club of Buzzards Bay. If you’d like to be a sponsor for the tournament they would love to have you. http://www.paaca.org/Golf.html

The facility is continuously running, 365 days a year with staff members and volunteers willing to help anyone walking through the door who needs help recovering from addiction. There is no judgement, just someone willing to listen and share their own experiences and start them down the path towards recovery. PAACA is a community for recovery where people can feel safe.

One of the many services the organization provides is finding permanent housing for people in recovery who are transitioning from homelessness and are either doing employment training or already working. It’s a crucial part of the recovery process, providing some stability and creating a sense of normalcy. People need a safe place to sleep and a support network backing you up every step of the way.

Another program under the PAACA umbrella is INSIGHT Youth Services whose mission is to work with young people to help strengthen their Coping skills, Achievement, Resources, and Educational attainment to overcome challenges in their lives. We do this by meeting young people where they are at and designing an individual success plan tailored to their individual needs that includes educational support, mentoring/case management, career planning and other support services.

Under the guidance of Executive Director Carl Alves and Operations Manager Jamie Casey, PAACA is in capable hands. What they really need are corporate and community partnerships to help deal with the growing crisis that has exploded in the last few years. Relying on grants and donations can only take the organization so far, so its crucial to help make the broader community realize what’s at stake and how important the work is that they are doing.

In an interview with Jamie he expressed hope that by sharing their story PAACA might be able to encourage some new supporters, volunteers and awareness. Here is some of what he shared.

“After a couple of weeks here I walked out of my office and surveyed all the activity going on around me. We had people lined up receiving food and clean clothes; young people prepping for GED testing; case workers brainstorming about a creative way to make a bigger impact with a client and in the midst of all that two volunteers were comforting a distraught woman who had come in off the streets asking for help for the first time. I watched as they secured a bed for her, encouraged her and comforted her and then as she broke down in tears she accepted help for the first time in her life. I actually teared up and thanked God for the opportunity to work in this capacity. I never want to do anything else, I found my place to make a difference, and it’s here.”

Jamie shared his favorite quote and his mantra from Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” It really hits home given the scope of the crisis and the sense of hopelessness and isolation often associated with addiction. We all need to face this together and take a multi-faceted approach to attacking this problem. If you want to volunteer your time please reach out. If you think your company or organization can lend a hand it would be welcome. Join them for a round of golf or become a sponsor for the event, every little bit helps.

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Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction, Inc.
360 Coggeshall Street
New Bedford, MA 02746
Phone: (508) 997-9051 (Adult Services)
Phone: (508) 979-1580 (Youth Services)

Monday-Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am-1:00pm

Website: paaca.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/PAACAINC/

About leonbg

Lifelong New Bedford Resident, Umass Dartmouth & NBHS alum. Passionate, sarcastic and informed. Avid duckpin bowler and a lover of amazing food, fine wine and awesome movies.

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