HILLSDALE, N.J.—The new leadership of the Hills-Valley Coalition announces that its spring event, “Unpacking Family Baggage: Healing from Trauma and Addiction,” is set for Zoom on April 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event begins with a virtual mental health resource fair and leads to remarks from keynote speaker Claudia Black at 7.
Black will portray how we carry family of origin issues into our adult lives using the metaphor of the baggage cart, discuss trauma and addictions, and offer a seven-step path to a healing process.
Black is a renowned addiction author, speaker, and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems, addictive disorders and treating complex addiction and mental health issues faced by youth and young adults.
Her expertise includes treating trauma, addictions, and codependency. She empowers and strengthens families through treatment and her educational programs address removing barriers to recovery in order to embrace multi-generational healing.
The Hills-Valley Coalition Welcomes New coordinators Jennifer Zimmerman and Jennifer Charnow, and secretary Marissa Watters. They write to say the group’s mission is to educate and inform the community-at-large about how to promote a healthy, safe, substance and stigma-free environment that encourages the development of a positive lifestyle for our youth and reduces at-risk teen behavior.
The organization was established more than 17 years ago with the school districts partnership with law enforcement, municipal leaders and residents to unify our prevention efforts and community resources in Hillsdale, River Vale, Montvale and Woodcliff Lake.
“During these unprecedented times our children are even more at risk for mental health and substance abuse issues. As an organization we are excited to refresh and renew our commitment to our community with new programming aimed at supporting our children and families,” they told Pascack Press.
To register for the event, and for more information and resources, visit https://hillsvalleycoalition.org/post/792.