Perdue foundation donates to recovery residence in Milford

Connections Community Support Programs Inc. has received a $10,000 grant from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to help women recovering from substance abuse at its recovery residence for women and children in Milford. The foundation is the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms.

“We at Connections Community Support Programs are grateful to the Perdue Foundation for their generous donation for our recovery residence for women and children,” said CEO Cathy McKay. “That residence, and all of our other recovery residences throughout Delaware, provides stable housing for people in early recovery, which is a critical factor in their long-term success. This grant will help the women and children who live at the Mommy and Me recovery residence to establish a solid foundation as they embark on this key chapter in their lives.”

Overdose deaths continue to increase in Delaware. In 2017, 345 people died from overdose, up 12 percent from the 308 people who died in 2016, according to the state Division of Forensic Science. Through May 27 of this year, 106 people had died.

As the impact of opioid use in Delaware has grown, so has the number of individuals, including parenting women, seeking treatment and support such as housing, McKay said. In response, Connections opened recovery residences in Wilmington, Harrington and Milford in summer 2016. New residences in Seaford, Lewes and Milford will open this summer. In all, Connections will have 72 recovery residence beds.

Connections staff provide support and structure to recovery home residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents have access to case management, life skills education, financial literacy education, relationship counseling, mental health treatment, and primary medical, gynecological and pediatric care. Also available are food, clothing, school supplies and recreational activities for children.

“At Perdue, we are committed to partnerships that help improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. “We hope our funding will help both the mothers and their children have the support they need to recover together as a family.”