(Butler, PA) Individuals helped by a Butler County Community College initiative will in turn help the community May 28 by enhancing the city’s only skate park, one that drew at least 50 visitors on a recent afternoon, the president of a nonprofit organization said.
Participants in BC3’s Hope is Dope program, along with others in recovery, will volunteer with members of the South Side Park Group and of the Butler Hip Hop and Rap Community at Father Marinaro Park.
BC3 is leading the effort, said Ken Clowes, BC3’s community initiatives center assistant.
The work of painting and repairing ramps, and collecting debris at Father Marinaro Park “gets people who are in recovery active in the community,” Clowes said.
BC3’s community initiatives center administers the college’s Reset Your Brain: A Revolutionary Approach to Opioid Addiction and Recovery. The initiative represents the realization of a goal in the college’s 2017-2022 strategic plan to improve the quality of life in its communities.
BC3’s free Hope is Dope classes began in April 2018 and its Hope Nights in December 2018.
“I love how BC3 is involved in our community. We’re excited that they’re looking at us saying, ‘Hey, how can we come on board and help out a little bit?’”
In addition to boosting morale within the recovery community, Clowes said, the Hope is Dope participants’ volunteer effort at Father Marinaro Park “will help to reduce the stigma that some people have toward people in recovery.”
Added Cindy Parker, president of the South Side Park Group that formed in 2018 exclusively to care for Father Marinaro Park: “Kids need to see that you can recover, have a normal life and participate in the community.”
“Positive reinforcement,” said Everett Roy, president of the nonprofit Butler Hip Hop and Rap Community among whose activities are community service. “Get out there and focus on something bigger than yourself.”
Parker said there were “close to 50 kids” at the park during her most-recent visit in late afternoon May 5.
Participants in BC3’s Hope is Dope program will help to replace hand rails on ramps, affix barriers against decking and paint ramps electric green and ocean blue.
“I love how BC3 is involved in our community,” Parker said. “We’re excited that they’re looking at us saying, ‘Hey, how can we come on board and help out a little bit?’”
Other individuals in recovery from substance abuse who would like to volunteer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 28 can call Clowes at (724) 287-8711 Ext. 8172 or email kenneth.clowes@bc3.edu.
BC3 will also hold “Karaoke and Ice Cream,” its third Hope Night of 2022, on May 19.
The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St., and is free and open to the community. Visitors can sing and build sundaes.
