Parent to Parent Addiction Services, Inc., in Warren County has a solid reputation as a non-profit organization that is helping individuals and families coping with addiction issues throughout the region. Parent to Parent offers a variety of services including support group interaction and acting as a conduit for those seeking expanded services by connecting them with all levels of care needed. 

While the organization itself relies on donations, including financial support, it often goes beyond its scope of services to directly impact other equally as important groups in one way or another. That is exactly what Parent 2 Parent recently did when it donated gourmet food in partnership with Chefs Table Tuttobenne of Whitehouse Station, and the homemade masks courtesy of the Hunterdon County group “Frontline Angels Seam Team”, to the Freedom House Rehabilitation Center in Glen Gardner.   

The residents at Freedom House were thrilled to accept the catered dinner, which was delivered over Memorial Day Weekend, and the much-needed masks (for residents and staff).

“There are so many moving parts when it comes to addiction and rehabilitation; there is no one fix or way to deal with it,” said Helen Carey, co-director of Parent to Parent with Debi Natale.

“Life is tough enough for those coping with addiction; if we can show caring and make a difference in some way then that’s part of what we do,” added Natale. 

For June and Greg DePetro, owners of Chef’s Table Tuttobenne on Route 22, being a part of this project has special meaning as they lost their son Gregory Charles to an accidental overdose and have always been supportive of efforts to help people deal with substance abuse. Lori Altamirano, who lost her daughter Brianna to an accidental overdose, and Colleen Hann, were instrumental in the donation of masks through the Frontline Angels Seam Team. 

Freedom House and Parent to Parent have been working together to assist and help each other get more individuals into detox and long-term recovery and help them reclaim their lives.

“This epidemic can’t be tackled by one person or by one organization,” said Carey. “It takes a group effort to try and make a difference.”

“Partnerships are key,” added Natale. “Partnerships and relationships will go a long way in dealing with a crisis that won’t go away by itself.”

And a crisis can happen anytime; thus Parent to Parent is not a Monday through Friday business. In a recent weekend, for example, they were able to assist two families get their loved ones into rehab and another client into a sober living program. 

Parent to Parent Addiction Services, Inc., a non-profit organization (501 c3), is located at 325 B,, West Washington Avenue (Route 57), Washington. Parent to Parent provides free services to individuals suffering a substance use disorder and may need help in getting into a detox, rehabilitation, or sober living program, as well as providing transportation to these places if needed. They also offer support to any loved one or family member of a person suffering with the disease of addiction. Support groups are offered every 1st Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at their office. They are available by phone, email, or a private meeting also. 

To contact or reach them with questions or to request help, call (908) 223-1951 or email parent2parentwc@gmail.com. You can also like Parent to Parent on Facebook, StopHeroinNJ/Parent2ParentWC or get more at www.parent2parentaddictionservices.com.

Photos: Debi Natale, Greg and June DePetro of Chefs Table Tuttobenne of Whitehouse Station, and Helen Carey (Co-Directors with Debi of Parent to Parent Addiction Services, Inc.,); Above featured, Debi Natale and Helen Carey join residents of Freedom House for a photo before residents enjoy dinner.