Hope and support are the main goals of the anti-drug group

            Project Live UP, the Valley's anti-drug task force, had a busy and productive year bringing a message of hope to families affected by substance misuse and in educating local citizens on the very complicated issues associated with this national epidemic.

            Under the leadership of President Will Pike and Executive Director Cathy Fried, several meaningful and inspirational programs have been undertaken to emphasize that those suffering through the torment of drug and alcohol-related issues are not alone in their struggles.

            One beneficial addition has been the scheduling of guest speakers, through member Jill Adams' contacts in the recovery sector, for the Project Live UP public meetings. The meetings are held on the third Monday of each month. All of the speakers have told poignant stories of living with addiction, both their own and those of loved ones. In December, the group heard from a young lady in recovery from alcohol misuse (see accompanying story).

            Through the auspices of The Open Link, Project Live UP has established a home base for its programs at The Center in East Greenville. On the property of The Center, Fried and Pike led the effort to build and maintain a Rock Garden of Hope. Project Live UP members, students, and adult volunteers created rocks with inspirational messages and designs painted on them.

            The rocks are meant to be taken and placed in "findable" places around the Valley.

            "When people find the rocks, we ask them to take a picture and post it on our Facebook page," Fried explained. "They are meant to bring a smile to the finder's face and lift their spirits. There has been a huge amount of positive feedback from the community on this endeavor."

            In conjunction, an Art for Recovery Program is held at The Center every third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. "This is an opportunity for those in recovery and family members to create, communicate and have a cup of coffee," Fried said. "These sessions are also open to the public."

            On Saturday, January 19 the group will be offering a Vision Board session. Participants will look through magazines for inspirational words and pictures that will be cut out and mounted, collage-style, on poster board.

            "This board, when placed in a prominent place in your home, will inspire you to visualize your ideal life and, in turn, motivate you to reach your goals," Fried said.

            Registration is not required. Participants are asked to bring along scissors and inspirational poems, stories, pictures, greeting cards, etc.

            In the fall, Project Live UP began offering weekly meetings at The Center. The Wednesday night meeting, Recovery is Possible, is for those in recovery or seeking recovery. Project Live UP supports all pathways to recovery.

            The Thursday night session, Family Recovery Support, focuses on helping friends and family of those who are using drugs inappropriately. "There is an educational component offered during this session and an opportunity to share experiences," Fried said.

            Both meetings maintain confidentiality.

            The facilitators at the meetings are among approximately a dozen Project Live UP members who have been trained as mentors by PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Achieving Community Together).

            During October and November, Marian Pike and Fried teamed with the Upper Perkiomen Valley Library to create a Project Live UP display. Branch Manager Jeanne Cove reported that many Project Live UP flyers, wristbands and pens were taken by visitors to the table in the library. She also noted interest in books dealing with the disease of addiction, especially its emotional effects.

            "There were more people checking out books than I expected," Cove told Project Live UP. "The middle grade and fiction went out first. Because of your efforts, the Library has more books and updated books on this topic."

            Project Live UP board member David Lintvedt compiled essays he has authored into a book, On Anvils of Experience. Lintvedt stated that the essays "are based on real-world experience of living with addiction and recovery, both from the point of view of the addict and the people in their lives."

            Lintvedt wants to deliver the message that help is available and people should not be ashamed to seek it out. That is one reason Project Live UP exists.

            "These essays are intended to be a message of hope for the addict and the people in their lives."

            The book is available on Amazon, and Lintvedt is donating half of the proceeds from the sales to Project Live UP.

            The organization is looking forward to hosting the second PL@Y (play at the Y) on February 23 at the Upper Perk YMCA. Board member Erin Sweed, with help from fellow board member and Y Director Michael Tannous, will once again be organizing the event which is aimed at grades four through nine. Participants will hear from a few adult speakers and then participate in activities such as dodgeball, with local police officers, swimming and rock painting. Last year approximately 30 school-age children attended.

            Another positive development this year has been the participation of more high school students in Project Live UP activities, such as the second annual Memorial Gathering at an Upper Perk football game, and meetings. Their energy and perspective have added another layer to the group's efforts.

            Project Live UP can be contacted through its Facebook page, website (projectliveup.org), email address (projectliveup@gmail.com) and/or phone number (724-617-2703) or by reaching out to individual members you are comfortable talking to.

            The members of Project Live UP are always open to suggestions about how to improve the group's outreach. And, of course, new members are always welcome.