REVIVED FAMILIES CELEBRATE VICTORY OVER ADDICTIONS AT PRESTERA PICNIC

HUNTINGTON -- Without even looking at statistics, the laughing children
playing at the A.D. Lewis Community Center on Saturday could be proof
enough that Prestera Center's Renaissance program is a success for many
local families.

At least 55 people attended the third alumni picnic for former Renaissance
clients and their families, said Angela Henderson, marketing assistant for
Prestera Center for Mental Health Services Inc.

Since 1993, 228 women and 540 children have participated in the program,
which is a residential addictions treatment program for women and their
children.

The picnic was to celebrate the success of families who have gone through
the program, said Tina Kimbro, an outreach specialist who organized the
picnic and went through the program herself.

"Everyone can see recovery is possible," she said. "If they need help and
have an addiction problem and have children, Renaissance is the place to be."

Looking out at the children who ran around the center playing basketball,
jumping rope, playing with balloons and hula hoops, Kim Miller, director of
the women's substance abuse treatment services at Renaissance, said it was
nice to see children being children again.

"When you're growing up with addiction in your family, you're seriously
affecting children by abandonment and rejection," she said. "Kids have
depression. The kids have come a long way, too. It's good to see them
acting like normal people."

After swimming in the pool, children played in the gym and grabbed their
mothers by the hands to see about getting snacks and prizes.

"It's a celebration of women and kids who have been through the program and
lead a quality of life which wouldn't have been possible," Miller said.
"It's heartwarming to see when people come back. Sometimes, the only
contact we have with successful people is through these events. It's nice
for staff and friends to get together."

Garnett Hudnall, who has been with the program since June 18, said the
program has already changed her life. She has two daughters who are 8 and 11.

"They're so glad to have mommy back," she said. "We get out to do things. I
forgot what life was like."

Cassie Booth, who went through the program six years ago, echoed Hudnall's
sentiments. She was proud of all the alumni and those currently seeking help.

"There's not too many people out there who can put their pride to the side
and say I need help," she said. "You don't have anything to live for when
you're an addict. You don't have friends and family. When you're clean, you
have a life. It's amazing, and I feel good. It's a daily struggle, but the
longer you're sober the easier it gets."

Miller said the past picnics have been every few years, but they plan to
make the alumni picnic an annual event.