Photo by James Short.
Two regional mental health and addiction treatment professionals were honored as heroes by Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy Tuesday night at the 15th annual “Drug Addiction Resource Alliance (DARA) forum at Lansdale YMCA.
Hope Stein, CEO of Renew Family Services in Elkins Park, and Lyn Truszkowski, regional director of clinical partnerships for Steps To Recovery in Levittown, were each bestowed with special awards honoring them as “DARA Heroes.”
Stein and Truszkowski were recognized for their “unparalleled dedication to those struggling with addiction,” according to the dedication on the awards.
The event also featured Montgomery County Commissioner Chair Jamila Winder and her brother, Randy, who shared their family’s journey through addiction and recovery.
“We have always emphasized that addiction can happen to anyone, and this very public family will provide their ups and downs story to help other families as well,” Duffy said in a Facebook post about the event.
To addiction recovery and treatment professionals like Stein and Truskowski, their inspiration and efforts emphasize to those individuals – and families – that they are not alone and that they are not breaking down or broken, but rather breaking through.
By James Short 
By James Short Stein, whose company is a Montco Happening winner for Addiction and Recovery Services, holds a master’s in social work from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Temple University. She has more than 12 years’ experience in the field of mental health services and addiction recovery, and has spent seven of them as CEO.
Truszkowski, whose employer Steps To Recovery is affiliated with Silver Pines Treatment Center in Mahanoy City, PA, thanked Duffy on LinkedIn for her and Stein being recognized for their efforts.
“Most of us in the field of addiction are used to being ‘unsung heroes’ and really don’t see ourselves as doing anything other than what we signed up for,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “As long as you are on the bench, we will continue to assist you with helping people access quality treatment and start their recovery journeys.”
Lyn Truszkowksi, Magisterial District Judge Andrea Duffy, and Hope Stein, from left.The annual forum’s purpose is to build community support for addiction recovery. It also featured a Q&A session, as well as free naloxone and free Narcan distribution.
According to www.darasaveslives.com, the alliance is a collective of local resources in the community that exists to assist those who suspect someone they love may be struggling with drug abuse or a substance abuse disorder, while also providing education and support to families.
Remember – text or call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
By James Short 
By James Short 
By James Short 
By James Short 
By James Short 
