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Opioid Overdose

Overdose Education, Prevention, and Reversal: A Mother’s Path to Acceptance, A Son’s Path to Redemption

Hope for Healing COVID-19 Update

2020-04-18
By: Steve Stefani
On: April 18, 2020
Tagged: COVID-19, DuPage, HOPE Task Force, Live4Lali, Naloxone, Opioid Overdose

Over the next several weeks, while we are socially distancing, Hope for Healing will be engaged in several activities that we think will be of interest to you. Several members of the Hope for Healing team have undergone training to become certified to train others in the administration of naloxone. Most of you know that naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The use of naloxone has been instrumental in saving many lives. In 2013 DuPage County implemented a program for training first responders in the use of naloxone for treating overdose. Since that time, there have been overRead More →

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Marge is Matthew’s mother. Marge has had a longstanding career in sales and marketing in IT consulting. Marge ran her own consulting company for 13 years which allowed her to work from home while raising her 3 boys, Matthew, Steve, and Ben. Recently she has transitioned into real estate, working for Coldwell Banker in Hinsdale. Marge has experienced first-hand the devastation and loss when a child suffers with drug addiction, including repeated overdoses and eventually death. After losing her son Matthew, and experiencing the effects that addiction, overdose, and death have had on her family, she and her family have committed to help other individuals and families affected by drug addiction, by launching Hope for Healing.

Roger is Matthew’s father, and the father of Matt’s twin brother Steve, and his younger brother Ben. He and his wife Marge have been married for over 40 years. Roger is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in Child Neuropsychology, who has been in professional practice for over 30 years. Over the years Roger has enjoyed many wonderful family experiences shared with his wife and children. There were many great family vacations to the beach and skiing, and many sports and activities that were shared together. Roger is a founding member of Hope for Healing. In the first couple of years following Matt’s death, Roger did what he could to resume life, but was always left feeling the profound loss of Matt’s absence. Over time, he and his family increasingly sought positive ways to try and direct these feelings, and about 2½ years after Matthew died, Roger, Marge, Steve, and Ben, together with Colleen and Cheryl, and the support of other family members and friends, founded Hope for Healing.

Steve Stefani is a board member of Hope for Healing. Steve was inspired to start Hope for Healing with his family after the devastating loss of his twin brother Matt to an overdose. Since his brother’s death, Steve has worked hard to heal his own wounds and is inspired to help others who are suffering with addiction. He is a graduate from the University of Dayton with a degree in Political Science, concentrating on Human Rights, non-profit and NGO work, and international politics. In his free time Steve enjoys playing the drums, reading, and playing with his dog Bo.

Ben Stefani is a member of the board of Hope for Healing.

Colleen is currently a 1st grade special education teacher in an Oak Park public school. She is very passionate about helping individuals gain access to services that will bring them a better quality of life. Colleen is Matt's cousin. Throughout her life, she has seen loved ones struggle with addiction. Through helping them navigate treatment and being an emotional support for many friends and family members, she has seen the true hardships that addiction can bring to both the struggling individuals and their families. Colleen tries to approach life with a sense of humor and positive outlook. She aspires that through Hope for Healing, positivity, dignity and hope can be brought back into the lives of those affected. In her free time, Colleen enjoys coaching Special Olympics soccer, basketball and track. She also enjoys running marathons and beating her family members in all things sports related :)

Cheryl had a fulfilling 35 year career as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Hoffman Estates High School in Illinois. Upon her retirement, she returned as teacher’s assistant in Special Education. Between her career and personal experiences, she has witnessed first-hand the devastating and detrimental impact addiction can have on loved one. Through Hope for Healing, Cheryl plans to raise awareness about addiction, diminish the stigma attached to it, and provide the necessary resources to people with addiction and their families that are on the road to recovery.