A4A@A – An Addiction Awareness & Social-Action Program at UAlbany

Each year, during “JSAM” (Jewish Social Action Month) the L’Chaim Jewish student group at UAlbany, affiliated with the Shabbos House Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center, works on a large-scale social-action and awareness project. This year’s project “A4A@A” stands for “Action for Addiction at Albany” with the goal of promoting awareness of addiction issues and also to raise funds for local organizations which help addicts & families.

“A4A@A” this October events include:

OCT 21 – VOLUNTEER PAINTING
A volunteer painting event by students to spruce up some rooms at Hope House’s residential home for women and children. This will be reserved to a limited number of students, hopefully to those with some experience with house-painting. PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE: The painting time-frame is now 12:30pm to 5pm on Monday Oct 21st.

OCT 27 – A4A@A BENEFIT WALK ON CAMPUS
A Walk on the UAlbany campus on Oct 27th to benefit Hope House Inc. and Senior Hope Inc. They are both non-profit local organizations who provide services for individuals with addictions and their families. Minimum walk participation is $5 and includes the walk t-shirt (as long as supplies last). Please use this online google docs sign-up form to reserve your shirt size and commit to the Walk. Each participant pays $5 at registration on day-of.

WALK INFO:

10:30am registration at UAlbany’s Collins Circle (between University Hall and new Business Building). $5pp (suggested) t-shirts included while supplies last.
11am Walk begins around the PurplePath – sidewalk that runs around the perimeter of campus.

Please note that it will be chilly (in the 50’s) and that we are not able to provide drinks or refreshments. We’ll keep it quick, no program or speeches, just registration and a walk together. Why #walk4addiction? Symbolizes the long road of #recovery: one step at a time, no #shortcuts, helps to be with others on journey with you.

Oct 29 – “JUST SAY YES! – A JEWISH RESPONSE TO ADDICTION”
Renowned author and lecturer Rabbi Shais Taub of Pittsburgh PA will speak for students and community on Tuesday, October 29th 8:30pm at Shabbos House, 320 Fuller Road in Albany. His topic will be “Just say Yes? A Jewish View on Addiction”. He is the author of “G-d of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction”. There is no charge, and desserts and refreshments will be served. Please call Shabbos House for parking information.

A Hope House staff and alum will speak to our students as well.

As with past social-action projects, “A4A@A” is supported by a JSAM (Jewish Social Action Month) grant from the UJA of NY, partnering with UAlbany Hillel and with co-sponsorship from other campus and communal organizations and local businesses. Business sponsorship of the Walk is $100, organizational sponsorship is $50.

Contact:

Jennifer Alweiss,
L’Chaim Social Action Chair
jalweiss@albany.edu

Rabbi Mendel and Raizy Rubin
Shabbos House Directors & L’Chaim Advisors
(518) 438-4227 / mail@shabboshouse.com