Dr Kathleen O’Brien, Executive Director of Walden Sierra, was selected in December to receive a Social Impact Award from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Fellows Program. In addition to the distinction of receiving this honor, Walden Sierra also recently received a donation of $15,000.
“The experience of being a Weinberg Fellow has benefitted me and Walden as an agency in a number of ways,” said Kathleen O’Brien, Executive Director. “Economic times continue to be tough, and yet our commitment to provide the best possible services to the community remains as strong as ever. The educational and networking opportunities I received as a Weinberg Fellow really helped me to think outside the box and encourage my management team to do the same. As a result, we have been able to address recent challenges related to funding and increased demand for our substance abuse and crisis services in innovative ways. We have concentrated on living our mission and putting those who need our services first.”
The donation that has come with this honor will go to funding unmet needs at Hope Place of Walden in Lexington Park. Walden provides crisis hotline, walk in, and trauma counseling services as well as outpatient substance abuse assessment and counseling services at Hope Place. At Hope Place, Walden has also been working with community partners to provide drop in and outreach support to individuals impacted by homelessness at Hope Place. Partners include Jobs Connection of the Community Development Corporation, St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services, St. Mary’s County Department of Human Services and Three Oaks Center. “Hope Place was opened in November 2009 with the intent to be a “No Wrong Door” entry point to individuals in crisis. We are committed to making our services as accessible as possible and in helping our clients to connect with the services they need elsewhere in the community,” explained Dr. O’Brien. Increasing need for Walden’s services continues to be a trend. In the first six months of Walden’s current program year, the hotline has answered 3,017 calls. Crisis/trauma counseling has served 246 adults, with 101 children receiving counseling services. Outpatient and Residential Addiction Treatment programming at Walden has also experienced tremendous demand, approaching a 40% increase from anticipated levels.
About Walden Sierra
Walden Sierra, Inc. is a 501c3 charity that provides help and hope to courageous individuals healing from trauma and addiction. Walden has been serving the Southern Maryland community since 1973 with a comprehensive array of substance abuse treatment and trauma counseling services. We are a United Way agency and receive both private and public funding, including funding from St. Mary’s County. Walden’s 24 hour crisis hotline is 301-863-6661.
Walden is hosting its 6th Annual Outback Steakhouse Luncheon on March 8th at 11:30 a.m. For tickets or to donate to Walden, please call (301) 997-1300 ext 804 or go to http://waldensierra.givezooks.com/events/outback-steakhouse-luncheon-2011
