Dear friends;

It’s been a profoundly emotional month.

McCall was recognized with the Organizational Excellence Award by the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce’s Health Council, a very special honor – particularly now. In accepting the award, I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to the crowd.  Before I stood to walk to the podium, I leaned to my friend and colleague Joy Pendola (whose judgment I trust implicitly) and asked if it would be risky to make a statement that could potentially be perceived as political. Joy assured me I could be ‘me’.

I said that the award is a celebration of what we do, how we do it and who we are called to serve.  McCall is a behavioral health organization that serves anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay. We are intentional about creating spaces of true belonging for populations that are often stigmatized and pushed to the margins. That work is done with excellence because we have a staff who are exceptionally well trained and have a deep commitment to our mission. They do this work with such heart.

There are policies now in place that are predicated on fear of many of the people we serve. These policies vilify people who live with mental health challenges, struggle with their substance use, were born in another country or don’t have a roof over their heads and seek to sweep them up and lock them away from public view. This strips away the humanity of both the person being detained as well as those who are doing the detaining, and by degrees, each of us bearing witness. 

I shared that this recognition centers the beautiful souls we have the honor of serving and it celebrates them.  Not only do they deserve care and respect, they deserve and receive excellence. There is a restoration of our collective humanity when we commit to that ideal.

Something extraordinary happened after the event concluded. Dozens of people approached me, many with tears in their eyes, and said how important it was to hear those ideals celebrated. I was heartened beyond words, my friends, by this response. There are implicit messages in our current culture, suggesting that we must shrink in order to be safe. Organizations have to shelve their DEI work, use coded language to serve vulnerable people, lest we lose funding or offend someone in power. But our public declaration of these values had the opposite effect - several organizations said that they want to explore how we can collaborate to serve our communities.

Last night was the Litchfield County Opiate Task Force’s annual Overdose Awareness Day Vigil, one of the most moving events of the year. As I listened to the testimonials offered so courageously, witnessed bereaved mothers hugging one another, children who’ve lost their parents sharing handmade crafts with the crowd and friends writing messages to those lost, I was overwhelmed with the humanity on display. This was community, it was healing, it was love. The beautiful souls gathering by candlelight around the world know that each and every life is worthy of celebration, dignity and love. We must never shrink from those values. We can and must openly and lovingly declare them to the world. Our collective humanity depends on it.

With my love and appreciation,

Maria

August is Overdose Awareness Month, with August 31 officially marking International Overdose Awareness Day. Lauren Pristo, MPH, McCall’s Director of Community Engagement, points out that this is an important time to reflect on the impact of the overdose crisis and the lives that we’ve lost. She acknowledges that we should be focusing on policies and changes that will save lives in the future.

She also feels we should think about how society tends to view people who use substances as dangerous and disposable. In response to that kind of stigmatization, Lauren says, “It’s crucial to remember that compassion is our most powerful tool.”

Awareness is the first step.

While statistics regarding overdose deaths in Connecticut have been trending downward over the past few years, there has sadly been a slight increase recently. Lauren cautions, “We still continue to see folks pass away. And frankly, as long as the illicit supply of drugs is as dangerous as it is, we’re going to continue to see that.”

Cameron Breen, Street Outreach Case Manager with Liberation Programs, Inc., and a former McCall staff member, shares his first-hand experiences with substance use: “I have been in recovery for the past eight years. I had experienced overdoses multiple times, and luckily, I’m a person who made it to the other side of that, but I’ve buried countless friends and loved ones due to overdose deaths.”  Cameron stresses the importance of bringing awareness to overdose prevention.

One person’s journey and observations.

“I felt entirely ostracized from the world,” Cameron says. “I wished that I could just be a quote-unquote ‘normal’ person. What that did was further isolate me from all the things that make us human. It isolated me from connection, it isolated me from opportunities, it isolated me from feeling like I had something to live for on a daily basis.”

Cameron does not shy away from the reality of substance use, from the real-life repercussions that occur when people who use substances feel adrift and disconnected from society. “When they have nothing that they want to actively show up for on a daily basis,” Cameron explains, “they continue to use drugs, and in some circumstances, they continue to use drugs until they die.”

Based on his experiences, Cameron believes that by minimizing the stigmatization surrounding substance use and creating spaces for people to feel loved, safe, and connected, lasting change is possible, whether it’s in one individual’s life or across society in general.

Reflecting on loss and looking ahead.

“Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to remember that every life lost was a person with a name, a story, and people who loved them deeply,” Lauren poignantly expresses. “Their absence is felt in our communities, in our families, and in our hearts.”

To learn more about McCall’s programs and services that help individuals who are struggling with substance use, we encourage you to explore our website. For immediate concerns, you can take advantage of our Open Access Hours (individuals often receive support on the same day they call) by contacting us at our main number: 860.496.2100.

Did you miss the interview?

Don't worry, we've got you covered! Visit our pressroom to hear McCall’s Director of Community Engagement, Lauren Pristo, MPH, and Cameron Breen of Liberation Programs discuss the opioid crisis. Cameron shares his deeply touching and, at times, harrowing story regarding his own personal struggle with substance use.

Back-to-School Starts With Connection.

The back-to-school season can feel overwhelming—but staying connected makes all the difference. In this article, McCall’s Director of Prevention Services shares three simple ways parents and caregivers can ease the transition while strengthening communication and emotional well-being.

McCall Honored for Organizational Excellence.

On August 20, we were thrilled to join health care professionals, business leaders, and community partners at the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Health Care Council 20th Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony. We’re proud to share that McCall was honored with the Organizational Excellence Award, an award celebrating the dedication of our entire team to providing compassionate, high-quality care and building healthier communities across western Connecticut. 

During the event, keynote speaker Daniel Keenan of Trinity Health of New England discussed the financial pressures hospitals face, noting that in Waterbury, 80% of hospital revenue comes from Medicaid and Medicare— which reimburse around 65 cents on the dollar—while commercial insurers contribute only half as much as in other communities. He pointed to the need for collaboration: “For any community to have an impact, people need to come together… the ideas that do bubble up do have an impact.”

Listen to Lauren's interview

with The CT East This

Week Podcast.

Tune in to Kyle's interview with For the People this Sunday.

Fentanyl Awareness and the

Fight Against Misinformation.

August 21 marked Fentanyl Awareness Day—a reminder of the urgent need for accurate information to keep our communities safe. Our McCall team has been working tirelessly to combat the spread of misinformation, and we invite you to watch a short video (below) on this important topic. Plus, don’t miss two interviews this week that highlight our efforts to raise awareness and save lives. The CT East This Week Podcast with Lauren Pristo, MPH, Director of Community Engagement, is now live and will air on WSHU/NPR later this week.

A second McCall interview with Harm Reduction Coordinator, Kyle Fitzmaurice, will be the opening segment on For the People this Sunday on Connecticut's Connoisseur Media stations. Listen live here or on air: 

• 6:00 a.m. on WEBE 108 FM
• 7:00 a.m. on STAR 99.9 FM, 99.1 WPLR FM

Watch our video.

The McCall Funding Committee is excited to announce recent financial support extended to our organization. We’re extremely grateful for the generous gifts that will help further our mission.

Thank you to: The State of Connecticut Bond Commission

Award amount: $1,000,000

Funding will be used for: Renovations to the McCall property at 969 West Main Street in Waterbury, which houses our Whole Health Center, Renato Outpatient Services, Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services, and an on-site Genoa Pharmacy.

Thank you to: William & Mary Sue Morrill Charitable Fund

Award amount: $10,000

Funding will be used for: Furnishings to enhance McCall’s new Hotchkiss House Residential Treatment facility in Torrington.

Thank you to: Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation

Award amount: $2,500

Funding will be used for: McCall’s Wisdom Lunch Support Group for Vulnerable Seniors, held weekly at our Wellness Center in Torrington.

On August 4, McCall staff members joined Governor Lamont, the End Homelessness Caucus, CCEH, and many community partners at a press conference addressing a recent Federal Executive Order on Homelessness. The proposed order threatens to undo decades of progress by criminalizing homelessness, defunding evidence-based practices like Housing First, eliminating harm reduction programs, and expanding forced institutionalization. McCall stands united with our partners in rejecting this harmful directive and advocating instead for investments that honor the safety, dignity, and well-being of our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Community members gathered in Coe Park in Torrington on August 27 to honor the lives that have been lost to overdose. The Resource Fair and Candlelight Vigil was also a celebration of recovery and hope. Individuals shared inspirational and courageous stories about their ability to limit substance use or eliminate it from their lives altogether. The event raised awareness, reduced stigma, and provided resources to help prevent tragic deaths from overdoses.

58 High St. Torrington, CT 06790

mccallbhn.org  |  860.496.2100