Press Release

Phoenix House Public Service Luncheon Raises $150,000 to Support Teen Drug Treatment

Verizon Executive Donna C. Cupelo Honored

PROVIDENCE, RI, June 30, 2006 -- Phoenix House, the nation’s leading non-profit drug treatment organization, raised in excess of $150,000 at its 2006 Public Service Award Luncheon held on Wednesday, June 28th. Proceeds from the event – which honored Donna C. Cupelo, Region President, Massachusetts & Rhode Island, of Verizon Communications – will help fund the expansion of the Phoenix Academy in Rhode Island, a residential high school offering comprehensive substance abuse treatment.

Some 400 guests attended the luncheon, which was held at the Westin Providence in Providence, Rhode Island. The event was chaired by William F. Hatfield, President of Bank of America Rhode Island and co-chaired by Denise A. Barge, Executive Director of Minority Investment Corporation; Michael F. Ryan, President of National Grid, Rhode Island District; and Laurie White, President of Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

Phoenix House’s annual New England Public Service Award honors exceptional men and women whose achievements and service to society inspire young people struggling to reclaim disordered lives. Last year’s recipient, Thomas F. Gilbane Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gilbane Building Company served as an Honorary Chairman at this year’s luncheon.

Phoenix Houses of New England recently launched a $2.2 million Comprehensive Campaign to fund the expansion of the Phoenix Academy in Rhode Island to improve educational services for teens. The Academy is one of eleven residential treatment high schools operated across the country by Phoenix House. The Academy model has been proven effective in a study by the RAND Corporation, one of the nation’s most trusted research organizations.  Its recent study found that teens treated at a Phoenix Academy demonstrated substantial reductions in drug use and unlawful behavior and an improvement in psychological well-being – and that the Phoenix Academy outperformed other adolescent programs in these areas.

Phoenix House board member and Campaign chairman, Peter H. Ottmar, Chairman of AAA Entertainment, LCC / Mercury Print and Mail, announced that with the funds from the luncheon the campaign had now reached the $1 million mark.

“In helping teenagers to regain their lives from substance abuse, we also must offer them a promising future,” said Mr. Ottmar. “With more functional facilities and a more effective education program, we will give these young people the opportunity to enjoy productive, rewarding, and community contributing lives.”

Roy J., a 17 year-old Phoenix Academy graduate addressed the audience, speaking about his own struggle with substance abuse. “I am determined to stay clean and turn my life around,” said Roy. “Phoenix House taught me that I can make it -- and I can make it without drugs.”

Phoenix House is the nation’s largest non-profit provider of substance abuse treatment and prevention services, operating nearly 100 programs in nine states.  Phoenix Houses of New England - originally called Marathon House - was founded in 1967 by a coalition of social service professionals, clergy, business, and political leaders in Providence, Rhode Island. Today, Phoenix House operates some 30 programs for adults and teens in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

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Contact:
Chris Policano
(646) 505-2091

cpolicano@phoenixhouse.org