The Curchin Group is rallying donations for HOPE Sheds Light as part of its charity spotlight series. HOPE Sheds Light has long been doing crucial, wonderful work in our community; its ongoing efforts are even more important during these difficult times.
HOPE Sheds Light is dedicated to educating families on the disease of addiction by creating awareness, providing resources and instilling hope to support a healthier community. The nonprofit organization aims to lead a transformative movement removing the fear and stigma surrounding addiction through a loving, safe, trusting and hopeful environment for long-term recovery.
Ron Rosetto realized the need for a local addiction recovery organization after losing his son, Marc A. Rosetto, 32, to a hard-fought battle against substance abuse and heroin experimentation on November 21, 2012.
When the Rosetto family was going through this very difficult time, they struggled to find the help they so desperately needed, as the families and friends of those with addiction often feel isolated, ashamed, overwhelmed and hopeless. Ron, alongside friends Stephen Willis and Arvo Prima, whose sons also were battling addiction at the time, founded HOPE Sheds Light.
Shortly after, Stephen’s son, Mark Kyle Willis, 31, lost his battle with the disease of addiction on September 15, 2013. A few years later, Arvo’s son, Paavo Jaan Prima, 25, lost his fight on April 5, 2017.
Ron, Stephen and Arvo have since dedicated their lives to keeping their sons’ legacies alive by helping others find the courage to face addiction and seek recovery so that other parents’ sons and daughters might live. HOPE Sheds Light believes there are many paths to recovery, but to be successful, one must have to want change and believe that change is possible.
HOPE Sheds Light exists to share hope and joy with others. “We have to draw strength from the wisdom of our peers because when we do it, we start getting better,” Willis says. “We must believe that there is a better life beyond the confines of our own limited thinking and that’s what HOPE Sheds Light is. That’s what we offer. It’s a wonderful combination of faith, hope and love grounded in wisdom, strength and experience. Why do we do it? Because our sons want us to. Because by helping you get well, we elevate the lives of our blessed boys.”
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, HOPE Sheds Light has continued to serve the community by shifting its focus to virtual programming and activities. Through its outreach efforts, the organization has been able to continue to serve all those who look to HOPE Sheds Light for strength, support and, of course, hope.
Looking to the future, HOPE Sheds Light is working to expand its services to young people and families in recovery by offering programming that will engage adolescents and young parents to effectively end the generational cycle of addiction. It is also currently collecting holiday gift items for families in partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ocean County.
In lieu of the 2020 Curchin Open Miniature Golf Tournament for Charity, The Curchin Group is promoting local charities remotely to keep “putting” our best efforts toward the greater good, together from a distance.
