We discuss our heartaches and our hopes, and how our spiritual lives really do matter in our recovery! This recovery and faith fellowship welcomes those whose lives have been affected by any addiction in any way, and those who are ‘recovery allies’ – who just want to do their part in finding a solution to this deadly scourge. After all…it takes a village!
addiction
Keaton Douglas speaks at CHOICES MATTER conference
Where: St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025, Mass begins at 9:00 AM, Conference begins at 10:15 AM
General Admission: $35
Student Admission: $15
Admission includes lunch and hand-outs
The day will feature: Exhibits, Eucharistic Adoration and Confession
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2025 Choices Matter Speakers
- Deacon Ed Shoener – President, The Association for Catholic Mental Health Ministries
- Erin McCole Cupp – Trauma Coach, Catholic Mental Health Advocate
- Lisa Kratz Thomas – Speaker, Author, Survivor
- Keaton Douglas – Creator and Executive Director of ITHIRST Initiative
Exciting Grant News!
iTHIRST has been awarded a $200,000 grant in partnership with Catholic Extension, funded by the Lilly Foundation. This grant is specifically designed to bring Catholic faith-based recovery resources and spiritual consolation to rural communities across the U.S. and its territories.
With this funding, we will develop an iTHIRST app that will offer scalable recovery resources, spiritual reflections, and tools for establishing a multifaceted recovery ministry within parishes and beyond. Additionally, the grant will support 12 Spiritual Companionship Trainings in both English and Spanish over the next four years, as well as the creation of a specialized curriculum aimed at bringing spiritual consolation, hope, and healing to incarcerated youth.
We are deeply grateful to Catholic Extension for their partnership and for recognizing the profound impact of our mission!
iTHIRST Africa
iTHIRST Africa – iTHIRST is thrilled to announce the launch of our first all-Africa iTHIRST Spiritual Companionship Training cohort, set to begin this fall! Participants from five nations—Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, Cameroon, and South Africa—are expected to take part in this transformative program.
Our dedicated African team is actively recruiting for the class and eager to bring hope and healing to countless individuals across the continent.
A heartfelt thank you to Fr. Joseph Oganda, Lynn Tidgwell, and Irene Mutooni for their leadership and dedication in making this initiative a reality!
AFIDEV Community– The iTHIRST Team proudly supported the launch of the largest therapeutic community for drug and alcohol addiction in all of Western Africa, located just outside Abuja, Nigeria. Under the leadership of Frs. Vitalis and Athanasius—both certified iTHIRST Spiritual Companions—the AFIDEV Community officially opened this past fall after years of dedicated planning.
Here are photos showcasing some of the facilities, along with a special moment featuring the community’s first “homemate” completing his program. Surrounded by his peers, he received well-earned recognition for his journey and has returned home a transformed man!
A heartfelt thank you to our dear friend Jody Riscen, esteemed clinical director at Haven Health in New Jersey and a valued supporter of iTHIRST, for providing essential clinical guidance to our Nigerian team!
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