Potter's House Plans Workshop
About five years ago, Lanny Millette, director of donor relations with The Potter's House and The Potter's House of Ruth, heard Joel Jakubowski, who is now men's ministry director with The Potter's House, speak at a workshop in Quarryville. "I got excited about bringing that same type of information to the people of eastern Lancaster County," recalled Millette. "The Potter's House appreciates the way the community has supported us, and that was a way to give back information, help, and support."
Millette approached Jere Cassel, pastor of Conestoga Church of the Brethren, about using the centrally located church to hold the workshop. Cassel and his congregation agreed to help, and the first of several seminars was held. That series will continue with Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Prevention, a talk by Jakubowski followed by time for questions and answers, at the church, 141 E. Main St., Leola, on Tuesday, Jan. 18, beginning at 7 p.m. Local resources, including G.O.A.L. Project and CCARS (Community Care and Addiction Recovery Services), will have displays in the church fellowship hall. The Lancaster County community is invited, and no registration is necessary to attend.
"The Potter's House is deeply committed to individual and community wellness, and so we provide these workshops as a service to the community," noted Jakubowski, who added that this particular workshop is "geared toward giving families a preventative and appropriately reactive approach to the potential for addiction to enter into their families."
During his talk, Jakubowski will detail signs and symptoms of addiction, which affects nearly 70% of families. "One symptom is abandonment of routines and daily responsibilities," said Jakubowski, who listed additional symptoms such as behavioral changes; emotional highs and lows; and changes in sleeping, eating, and social patterns, along with physical fatigue. He will address prevention of addiction problems through education, which includes having conversations with children prior to any signs or symptoms. "(I'd like attendees to gain) a conscientious awareness of what addiction looks like so as to be able to identify it," Jakubowski said.
Millette added that education is essential to raising awareness. "It is recognizing that addiction touches us even when we are unaware," he said, "because a neighbor or a family member could be struggling, and (knowing what to look for) will help to bring it to the surface."
Cassel pointed out that hosting the workshops has impacted the Conestoga Church congregation. "I think out of the addiction seminars grew the interest in the church to make space for CCARS addiction counseling," he said. "This is a continuation of making the community aware of a problem that we face." CCARS, one of the few licensed establishments offering addiction counseling in the northern and eastern parts of Lancaster County, is housed in the church. The organization will be a sponsor of the workshop along with The Potter's House.
More information about The Potter's House and The Potter's House of Ruth may be found at http://www.thepottershouselancaster.com.
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