OneEighty turns 50 with mission to 'help people change directions'
Back in the 1980s, local philanthropist Julia Fishelson loaned Every Woman's House the use of her family home, an 11-room house, which served as the first shelter until it was moved to the newly built shelter on Spink Street, shown here in its construction phase. It was named Julia's Place in 1999 and was an emergency shelter for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
This year OneEighty is celebrating 50 years of serving Wayne and Holmes counties with a range of services that have grown and developed over the years.
OneEighty’s 50th anniversary celebration will take place Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 4-7 p.m. at the main office, 104 Spink St., Wooster. The event is free and open to the public.
The organization is comprised of advocates, hope providers, recovery warriors and grassroots community leaders, according to its mission statement. “We actively support an evidence-based approach to sustainable recovery from trauma and addiction — restoring dignity and purpose, reimagining potential, and rebuilding lives.”
“OneEighty was founded in April of 1974 by Doug Pomeroy, a local minister known for his endless dedication to alcoholics,” OneEighty Executive Director Bobbi Douglas said.
Since then the agency’s journey of evolution and growth is due to the dedication of a long list of community members who have worked, supported, advocated and donated.
Wayne County Alcoholism Services, as it was called then, originally provided outpatient counseling and men’s residential treatment through the Pathway program. In 1999 the program moved to the Gault Liberty Center facility and was renamed STEPS at Liberty Center (Substance Abuse Treatment, Education and Prevention Services).
In the 1970s a group of women became concerned about the issue of domestic violence and established a network of safe homes. They made arrangements with the Wooster Police Department to bring women and children who were fleeing domestic violence and take them into their homes. A local philanthropist heard what was happening and donated her childhood home, which served as the first shelter until it was moved to the newly built shelter in 1999.
Wayne County Alcoholism Services and Every Woman’s House joined forces in the 1990s to raise funds to build the shelter and to renovate the former Reed Warehouses. Both organizations moved into the newly renovated Gault Liberty Center in 1999.
Douglas became director of both STEPS and EWH in 1998, and in 2006 the two groups officially merged. They rebranded in 2016 as OneEighty with a mission to help people change directions. At that time it was thought the new name and brand would help the community access and understand the extent of programs and services that were being provided.
Programs and services currently provided by OneEighty include the following:
—Addiction and substance use: Addiction is treated as a disease and a complex condition that affects mental and physical health.
—Residential treatment: Provides a safe place that offers support, skills and the stability to heal, grow and begin to thrive.
—Domestic violence and sexual assault: comprehensive and compassionate services. The domestic violence and sexual assault hotline at 800-686-1122 is available 24/7.
—Mental health counseling: From anxiety and depression to severe trauma, counseling services help victims including children heal, grow and recover.
—Community relations and prevention: OneEighty offers education and outreach services on substance use, domestic violence, and positive mental health and wellness.
—Recovery coaching: Certified peer specialists are able to offer guidance and support. These specialists have an understanding of clients’ challenges because they’ve been there too. The recovery assistance hotline is available 24/7 at 330-464-1423.
—Housing and support services: OneEighty believes in a housing first approach to wellness, ensuring a safe place to live while addressing other needs.
As part of the upcoming anniversary celebration, OneEighty will unveil a mural on an exterior wall at its main office.
Painted by an artist from the Art of Inclusion program (www.art-of-inclusion.org), the mural will encompass all of OneEighty’s programs by including the following:
—Stepping stones with words and symbols of encouragement, symbolizing the path one takes on the road to recovery from addiction or trauma.
—Butterflies representing personal growth, hope and transformation.
—The tree symbolizing protection, strength and revival.
—The sun is a compass representing changing direction.
Additionally, coins represent the tradition for when an individual has successfully completed treatment goals and has a clear relapse prevention plan and outpatient treatment lined up. They get a “coin out.” A coin with an inspirational or AA theme printed on it is passed around to fellow clients and staff members, and everyone shares a comment about the accomplishment. The client then has the opportunity to share and keeps the coin as a memento of his/her success.
“This golden jubilee is an opportunity to bring together our staff, current and past clients, community partners, patrons, and you to reflect on OneEighty’s journey and achievements,” Douglas said. “The event will be filled with nostalgic moments, speeches from key figures and a showcase of the company’s milestones — a festive atmosphere with music, delicious food and entertainment as we embark on another 50 years and more. Even more thrilling, we will be unveiling our new community mural, a path showing our past, present and future.”
Find OneEighty online at www.one-eighty.org or on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
OneEighty’s 50th celebration would not be possible without the following support:
—Golden Jubilee Sponsors: Steve and Cheryl Shapiro, Kropf Wagner Law Firm, and Wooster Community Hospital.
—Half a Century Sponsors: Humana, Matt and Lynette Long, and Dave and Gayle Noble with John and Ruth Waltman.