Building Hope set Nov. 5 to support women with addiction

Delmarva Teen Challenge will host Building Hope, a fundraising event, Saturday, Nov. 5 at The Rollins Conference Center at Dover Downs. Building Hope 2016 is a fundraiser to support a Home of Hope to serve women throughout the region who are battling life-controlling addiction.

Efforts are being made to renovate a property in Bridgeville as a safe, residential recovery home for women who struggle with addiction. Women will be able to come with their children under 5 to seek the care and support they need. With community support, this property will open in 2017.

Home of Hope will use the successful Teen Challenge model of service. Studies report that more than 85 percent of Teen Challenge graduates remain abstinent. The success rate of other programs is about 12 percent. Teen Challenge students learn how to have productive relationships, build moral character and have an attitude of gratitude. Within two years after graduation, 90 percent of graduates are employed full time.

Local communities and the entire region are in the middle of an epidemic that is destroying lives. Drug addiction has become an issue that affects everyone in some way.

• Drug addiction is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States - there is an average of 45,000 lethal drug overdoses each year
• There has been a 200 percent increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opoids
• Women typically face adverse consequences to their addictions faster than men.

The host of the evening will be Lisa Bryant, co-host of WBOC’s “DelmarvaLife.” She will be joined by Ashley Smith, Atlanta’s hostage hero and Jennifer Beckham. Smith will describe her journey and victory over addiction. Beckham will talk about how she went from being a Disney Princess to helping women find freedom from their past, pain and shame. Local  women who have fought and overcome addiction will also share their stories.

Tickets are $25 through Saturday, Oct. 22, or $35 at the door. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and light dessert will be served, and attendees will learn how to get involved. A limited number of tickets is available. For more information, go to www.homeofhopede.org.