(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club was joined by Dawn Farm Development Director Tracy Puvalowski, and former Development Director Olivia Vigiletti.
Puvalowski thanked our club for being a major sponsor for many years.
Dawn Farm was founded in 1973 by four recovering addicts. They wanted to help addicts and alcoholics enter the recovering community. Starting with one house in Ypsilanti, Dawn Farm now has multiple locations in the area.
Clients can begin their treatment at the Spera Center in Ann Arbor for detoxification.
- Since Covid, the program at Spera has become a quarantine project, housing 12 people at once in two dormitories for 7 days.
Once tested, clients may then enter long-term treatment.
- The program was able to treat 158 people in 2020, at 79 percent of its pre-Covid capacity.
The residential program in Ypsilanti lasts 90-120 days with therapists and other supports.
- 172 folks took part in 2020.
Outpatient services are also available in Ann Arbor, virtually during Covid.
- 448 people were helped in 2020, which was 97 percent of pre-Covid participants.
Dawn Farm also has a jail program serving 58 inmates virtually, and successfully diverting 15 people into recovery, who would have been jailed otherwise.
The Chapin Street project is a transitional program with 11 locations and 145 beds. This includes apartments for single parents needing treatment, and their children can stay with them. This project lasts 6 months to 2 years for participants. 158 folks were served in 2020. Medicaid pays for treatment for those enrolled. Two thirds of Dawn Farm’s clients are homeless.
We encourage the community to support Dawn Farm in their efforts. It is a 501 (C)3, so donations are tax deductible. More information at www.dawnfarm.org
The club is pleased to be included in Chelsea’s Farmers Market online through April.
The club members are selling 36-ounce cans of gourmet tree nuts for $25, Nitsche’s 5-pound box of 20 knackwurst for $30, 10-pound box of 60 Koegel’s hot dogs for $30, and car seat emergency identification stickers for free.
Please go to www.openfoodnetwork.net and place an order from Monday at 7 a.m. Thursday at 7 p.m. for pick up the following Saturday from 10 to noon at the 5 Healthy Towns office at the Wellness Center.
On Monday, club members will hear from St. Louis Center Development Director Christina Ferris.
Go to www.kiwanisofchelsea.org for more information.
