Hope Discovered

Join us on the latest episode of the Hope Discovered podcast to learn what it means for a provider to be “Safe Zone” trained to help clients and other members of the LGBTQ+ community who need to access services and treatment.CommQuest is proud to have Safe Zone trained counselors on our team, and our guest, Kristin Carvajal, Training and Development Coordinator for CommQuest, has all the details.If an organization displays the “Safe Zone” logo or is “Safe Zone Trained", they may have some team members who have completed Safe Zone training, or it may simply be a way for them to show they are supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals and identities.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every month is Mental Health Awareness month here at CommQuest because it is one of our three pillars of care, along with addiction recovery and social support.During May there is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Some of the goals of this movement are to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.On this episode Dr Michele Heberling, Chief Clinical Officer and Grete Heatherly, Clinical Site Coordinator at Alliance Outpatient for CommQuest Services discuss numerous aspects of mental health such as some of the most common disorders, the stigma that still exists around treatment, and how everyone can play a role to educate and raise awareness for mental health.For more information about CommQuest Services, please visit CommQuest.org or call 330.455.0374.

The guest on this episode of the Hope Discovered Podcast is Tom Jones, who is a counselor at the Alliance location of CommQuest Services. Tom is on the program to discuss the growing problem of gambling addiction.As the availability of different forms of gambling has risen, such as casinos and more recently with legalized sports betting, so have the occurrences of gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is an affliction that many people do not readily recognize because it is not in the form of a drug. However, gambling can stimulate sections of the brain in the same way drugs and alcohol produce a neurological pattern that leads to addiction. As with alcohol usage, many people can recreationally gamble. However, for others it can lead to a dangerous and destructive addiction. What are the warning signs that someone’s desire to gamble is escalating beyond a fun pastime? How does a person who is struggling with gambling addiction reach out for help? These are among the topics discussed during this episode of the

This episode may contain triggers for some members of the listening audience.Our guest on this episode is Matt Calder, the Unit Manager for the CommQuest DeTox Unit located in Aultman Hospital.Matt often shares his own personal journey of recovery and he is here to do that for us on this podcast. Matt starts by describing his role now working in recovery services as a professional. He then goes on to describe his back-story of how his own addictions began and turned into a battle that lasted for years.Now celebrating 10 years of recovery and sobriety, Matt's message is one of hope and strength for anyone who is struggling toward recovery.You can find the Hope Discovered Podcast by CommQuest on your favorite podcasting platform.For more information about CommQuest, please visit https://www.commquest.org/

This podcast presents an overview of CommQuest Services State of the Agency as of December 2022.Elaine Russell Reolfi, CEO of CommQuest, is the featured guest and provides analysis and commentary regarding the annual report which was released in November of 2022. This interview is a part of an annual effort to present the overall status of CommQuest Services by reviewing and analyzing numerous departments and categories of data within the agency. Among the topics discussed on this episode are our Year of Impact as an agency, how the agency is growing as a team, and what CommQuest’s goals are moving forward into 2023.

This episode is an introduction of Danijela Vranesevic to the CommQuest Services team as the Director of Recovery Services. Dani has worked in community mental health for nearly a decade treating dual diagnosis individuals and has a passion for helping individuals realize the strengths within themselves to reach their goals. Dani is the daughter of immigrants and places value and emphasis on self-actualization, and resilience associated with the immigrant spirit.Our subject will be wellness during the holidays as it impacts those who may be in recovery or other individuals who find the circumstances around this time of year to be triggering for their mental health. The discussion covers a wide gamut of potential issues that the holidays have for those in recovery including the availability of alcohol and the potential of loneliness in the absence of family members. Dani offers many suggestions to help cope and information for the resources that are available to provide mental health assistance if needed.

Honoring Veterans Day November 11, 2022, we have two guests on the Hope Discovered Podcast. Featured on this episode are Robert Cox, who is a U.S. veteran and a counselor for CommQuest Services, and Tammi A. Gainer, who is representing the Military Family Center. The needs of veterans are year-round. Many of the resources that are available to veterans are among the various topics discussed on our program. Also, of particular importance, Robert covers some of the unique dynamics of working with veterans in a counselor setting. Tammi talks about the services provided by the Military Family Center, which revolve around the wellness that is provided by the connection between veterans and horses. Many veterans visit the Military Family Center to cultivate enriching relationships with these magnificent animals. We want to thank Robert Cox and Tammi Gainer for coming onto the podcast and sharing this fascinating and valuable information, not only for veterans but for the audience at large. We hope to raise awarenes

This episode contains content that may be triggering to some listeners.Richard Rushin is the Next Level Employment Coordinator/Youth Employment Specialist for Next Level Employment. Richard is on this episode to tell his own personal story of how his circumstances early in life sent him on the path to become who he is today. It is a journey of abuse and struggle, but also has a message of hope which is central to our message here at CommQuest Services.

On this episode our guest is Tina Ryee, who has recently been named Director of Track and Field and Cross Country for Malone University. Tina became Malone's first NCAA Division II American during the 2013 cross country season and was a national qualifier in the 5,000-meter run in track. Tina states in her press release, "These programs carry a rich tradition, and my No. 1 goal is to honor that tradition while also implementing my own unique vision. The college experience can be so transformational for a student-athlete, and I feel so honored to be given such a position."During our interview Tina heartfully discusses many of those unique tenets that she incorporates into her coaching. She shares how important it is to realize that student athletes are human beings who will likely go on to pursue other careers. A coaching strategy that incorporates wellness as part of an overall wellbeing is vitally important.Tina also shares her own personal journey of loss, grief, and recovery. She shares those aspects of he

Our guests on this episode of the Hope Discovered Podcast are Kara Vogt and Gil Goodwin. Kara is the co-founder of the FATHERS Motorcycle poker run, a 7-year member of the Stark County Opiate Task Force, a volunteer for CommQuest Services, an advocate for family addiction recovery, and a parent of a person in recovery. Gil is a pastor and a member of the staff of CommQuest.Kara and Gil are active leaders of the Family Education and Support Group.Family members of people suffering from addiction can struggle with lives full of chaos and turmoil and often experience a complicated mix of feelings including guilt, grief, confusion, anger, frustration, and hopelessness.The Family Education and Support Group can help family members understand these feelings and provide loving support.Meetings are free and open to the public. Your loved one does not need to be a CommQuest client or in treatment. These groups are in an open discussion format and an appointment is not needed.For more information visit CommQuest.org or

This episode discusses the need for same-day assessments regarding mental health and substance abuse disorders, and how CommQuest Services is addressing that need. CommQuest offers confidential assessments with expert licensed counselors who work with you to help determine if treatment is needed, what treatment options work best for you, and which of our locations are most convenient for your situation.We offer same-day assessment hours at several different locations and times. Please visit https://www.commquest.org/ for a complete list of numbers and locations nearest you. You may also call 330-455-0374. Our team would love to answer any questions you may have.

On this episode we are talking about the Mom and Me Recovery Program by CommQuest. This program is for women who are pregnant, or have a child under the age of two years old, and struggle with heroin, fentanyl, pain pill, cocaine, meth or prescription amphetamine use.For this discussion we have Brooke Burkett, who is the Clinical Supervising Counselor and Mom + Me Program Coordinator, and Marissa Lindberg, who is a Lead Counselor and Case Manager for the Mom + Me Recovery Program. Among the topics covered during this podcast are the scope of the overall program, who it is designed to help, and how members of the community can help support the Mom + Me Program in the way of cash donations and supplies. For more information visit https://www.commquest.org/ or call 330-455-0374.

On this episode of the Hope Discovered Podcast our guest is Shannon Ortiz. Shannon is an advocate for survivors of suicide loss. She is most known as the founder of Light After Loss, an organization that is a trauma focused support system for survivors of suicide loss providing hope for healing through education, resources, and support services surrounding the grief and trauma of losing someone to suicide.Recently, Shannon has been excited to announce the opening of the Hope and Healing Center. This location is a center where seeds of Care, Compassion, and Community are planted, nurtured, and grown.During this discussion Shannon talks about the importance of not only suicide prevention, but also the role of postvention in the wake of a death by suicide. The close family members and friends of someone who has died from suicide are at an elevated risk of suicide themselves. We also discuss the challenges of advocating for suicide awareness because of the prevalent stigma around death by suicide. This stigma can

In this episode we are speaking to Elaine Russell Reolfi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of CommQuest Services, Inc. CommQuest is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide care and advocacy for people through three pillars of service; mental health, addiction recovery, and social support. During this interview, Elaine discusses her business approach for maintaining sustainability within a nonprofit organization. The interview also comprises the strategic guideposts of mission, vision, and values and why these concepts are incredibly important to identify as part of a comprehensive leadership plan. For more information about CommQuest Services please visit CommQuest.org. https://www.commquest.org/

On this episode of the Hope Discovered Podcast we are talking about the importance of suicide prevention awareness with Kylee Crislip and Greg Emanuelson. The discussion covers such issues as the stigma and misconceptions about suicide as well as how to broach the subject to individuals who may be at risk. This episode may contain triggers for survivors.

On this episode of Hope Discovered we are talking about School Based Mental Health with Drew Prendergast, who is a School-Based Prevention & CPST Provider for CommQuest Services. The theme of this discussion is “Backing this Generation,” which is often maligned as entitled and fragile. The conversation covers topics such as the unique challenges this young generation is facing, the unfair labels that have been placed upon it, and the good qualities and attributes that we should be fostering in today’s up and coming youth.

This episode may contain triggers for some survivors. Our guest on this episode is Gil Goodwin who shares his journey of recovery from various addictions. Gil hopes to give inspiration to those who may be on their own personal path to recovery and wellness. Gil also talks about his faith as being central in his life and work.

This episode is part of our Community Conversation Series in podcast form. This discussion features Keith Hochadel, President and CEO of CommQuest Services and Melissa Pope, School Counselor at Lehman Middle School. The interview covers how the two agencies work together to assist students and their families.

Jeff Dafler is a recovering alcoholic and AA member, participating in weekly meetings and speaking regularly to patients at a detox facility near his home in Ohio. Jeff is on the board at CommQuest Services, Inc. and active in his UCC congregation. He is the founder of The Dafler Company, a strategy, public policy, and communication consulting firm, and an adjunct professor of communication at Walsh University.Jeff is also the author of a new book, “Psobriety - A Journey of Recovery through the Psalms.”Jeff is our guest on this episode sharing his journey of recovery to provide hope and inspiration. You can find Jeff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffdafler?lang=enJeff's website is here: https://jeffdafler.com/

This episode may contain triggers for some survivors. This interview is with Jack, who shares his story of addiction to raise awareness that recovery is possible. Jack speaks from the heart and shares how he nearly had gone to the brink of disaster but, with help and determination, overcame a long battle with substance abuse to go on to lead a rewarding life.If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call 330.994.1450 now. Recovery is possible!