Worthington Support Group Celebrates Year of Assistance

The Serenity support group in Worthington Borough celebrated a year of assistance in March.

by Jonathan Weaver

Sandy Shaner has two family members battling addiction and alcoholism, but for the past four months, she has relied on Serenity Support Group in Worthington to help her along.

“It’s been a life-saver for us,” Shaner said. “We’re so thankful (Founder) Cathy (Slagle) has started this. It’s a very good support group because everyone encourages each other.”

Shaner and her daughter are one of nearly 60 different families that have gained support from the group, which celebrated its year anniversary last month during their weekly meeting.

According to Slagle, more than 330 individuals have attended group support sessions, including drug addicts and alcohol abusers.

The first meeting, held March 13, 2011, had four attendees at the Worthington Municipal Building before expanding into the fire hall.

Slagle said some meetings last year had little participation, but she never cancelled a session.

“It rained every night – every Tuesday night I’d say for the first four months that we had this meeting, it poured buckets, and the people still came.

“We didn’t give up,” Slagle added

That ‘we’ includes Dr. Angela Lamison of Family ACTS, Pastor Bob French, and Retired ARC Manor Counselor Bonnie Dulany.

Dulany sees individuals she has counseled from her downtown Kittanning home and has recognized family members during the weekly group sessions.

“I’m really grateful this is here for people – it’s filling a need for families that suffer and are at their wit’s end and don’t know what to do or where to turn,” Delaney said. “At groups like this, people are realizing they’re not alone.”

Other attendees expressed their gratitude to the counselors and Slagle for their assistance.

“I’m very, very thankful for this group,” one woman said “It has really helped.”

Participants celebrated the first anniversary by ‘taking care of themselves,’ according to Slagle, with facials, nail treatments and YogaFit breathing and relaxation techniques provided by Jackie Adams of Kittanning. They also received tickets toward more than a dozen Chinese auction baskets

For more information on the group, contact Cathy Slagle at 724-297-3861. All meetings and information is confidential.

Spring Weather Postponed

Morgan McCoy, 3, and Liam Lash, 19 months old, met for the first time last week during a sunny day at Worthington Playground. They were pushed on this ride by (L-R) Steve Lash, Ava Bosco and Melissa McCoy. Children of all ages enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures last week, but will be wearing coats this week for outside play!