PO Box 265, Village Road, Green Village, 07935
Phone: (973) 377-7748; Fax (973) 301-9105

Executive Director and Director of Volunteers: Sue Nobleman
Description of Program: Provides free and confidential counseling for the addicted, their families, and concerned others within Harding and the surrounding community.

Taking any random population, one in every eight-to-ten people is addicted (alcohol or other drugs) and one in every four-to-five is the child of an alcoholic. So conservatively speaking, 10% of our population suffers directly from this disease and 20% suffers because of living in close proximity. It is a large need. Whether or not people recognize it, everyone comes into contact with someone suffering from this disease, and in turn is affected by it. The secretary at the front desk who is hung over or exhausted from being kept up all night by a drunken husband snaps at you! Your accountant suffering in the same way makes an error on your tax return. People under the influence traveling the same roads as you. These people and so many others affect all of us.

Consequently, any time we can get one of these people well, it has a positive ripple effect in countless other ways. The other issue is that only one in 35 actually recovers from this disease. The others die, are incarcerated or institutionalized as a result. This ministry is helping to improve these odds.

How the ministry has helped people in need: Providing anecdotes for this ministry is difficult due to confidentiality reasons. One parishioner stated, "I know I haven't been to see you yet, but just knowing you're here helps." Since Sue became a volunteer counselor for this valuable service almost two years ago, she has worked with individuals and families from the community at large. Her goal is to increase the utilization of this service.

Volunteer Opportunities: This is a word-of-mouth service, so the one way people can help is to encourage others to utilize the service, assuring them that it is a safe and confidential place to go.