Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon Helps Unveil "Garden Of Hope" Outside Saint Clare's Behavioral Health Facility in Boonton Township
Published on May 24, 2019
The Thursday Night Family Support Group and Friends of Saint Clare's Behavioral Health in Boonton Township realized a shared vision May 23 with a ribbon-cutting on a Garden of Hope where people can grieve, rejoice or reflect on loved ones who are struggling or have passed on from substance use or mental health disorders.
At the new Garden of Hope outside Saint Clare's Behavioral Health facility in Boonton Township, from left: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Caroline Bailey, Morris County Sheriff's Office Corporal Erica Valvano, Saint Clare's Chief Executive Officer Brian Finestein, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Nicola Inniss, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Silvia (a parent), Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Alton Robinson, Saint Clare's Behavioral Health Administrative Director Rebecca Light, and Mike Hart, facilitator for the Thursday Night Family Support Group at Saint Clare's.
Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon was one of three guest speakers at the evening unveiling of the Garden of Hope that was built on a side lawn of the facility off Powerville Road that treats people with substance use and mental health diagnoses.
We'll never lose sight of the people in this garden, Sheriff Gannon said to the crowd celebrating the locale for contemplation and relaxation.
At the dedication May 23, 2019, of a Garden of Hope outside Saint Clare's Behavioral Health facility in Boonton Township, from left: Boonton Township Detective Chris Chicoris, Sergeant Tom Cacciabeve, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Police Chief Michael Danyo, and Deputy Mayor Bill Klingener.
Attendees included Boonton Township Police Chief Michael Danyo, Sergeant Tom Cacciabeve, Detective Chris Chicoris and Boonton Township Deputy Mayor Bill Klingener; Saint Clare's Hospital Chief Executive Officer Brian Finestein; and Rebecca Light, Saint Clare's Administrative Director of Behavioral Health.
Sheriff Gannon's signature Hope One mobile substance use recovery and resource vehicle was at the event, along with Hope One's supervisor, Morris County Sheriff's Office Corporal Erica Valvano and Caroline Bailey, a certified peer recovery specialist who works aboard Hope One training people on how to administer the overdose-reversing antidote Narcan and advising them on treatment options.
Some in the close-knit Thursday Night Family Support Group, facilitated by Saint Clare's Social Worker Mike Hart, have lost loved ones to drug and alcohol dependencies. Others joined the support group to learn about the disease of addiction and how to keep themselves healthy while helping relatives recover.
I didn't really know alcoholism was a disease before I joined the group. I thought ˜How can it be a disease? Just don't drink,' said Eveline Giessler, who lost her son, 42, in April 2018.
The Garden of Hope, donated by the Saint Clare's Thursday Night Family Support Group and Friends.
After Mike Hart proposed building a Garden of Hope, support group members were buoyed by the idea. Bednar Landscaping of Boonton Township donated labor, supplies and services to create the picturesque area.
Bluestone paving stones provide a walkway to the circular garden that is fitted with four long wooden benches surrounded by a perimeter of mulch and flowers.
The centerpiece is a large stone on which two plaques are attached. One plaque is etched with the Serenity Prayer; the second plaque bears an explanation of the Garden of Hope.
The Garden of Hope is donated by the St. Clare's, Thursday Night Family Support Group and Friends. We join together to offer support by sharing our knowledge, compassion and experiences with individuals, families and loved ones battling addiction and in recovery. We honor the memories of those we have lost. May we never lose hope.
Sheriff Gannon gave the crowd an overview of the Hope One program and promised to continue helping substance users find paths to recovery “ even if they're incarcerated at the Morris County Correctional Facility - while targeting for-profit drug dealers.
We need to be guardians on the other side. The simple user with the empty bag in his pocket. We need to take care of them. And we do that. We do that on the street. We do that at the jail, Sheriff Gannon said.