NEWS & UPDATES
June 2022
first annual golf tournament at lansdowne
On Monday June 27th, Second Genesis Foundation hosted its first annual charity golf tournament at Lansdowne to help raise support for families and individuals impacted by addiction.
A BIG thank you to our Charity Golf Tournament sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers for your continued patronage and support! This event was a great success because of YOU!
Together, we raised over $60,000, which will be instrumental in our efforts to provide continued support for the prevention and treatment of addiction. We appreciate you more than words can say!
APRIL 2022
Register today!
April 30th Mind & Body Health Day with RTR Pilates
On Saturday April 30th, Second Genesis Foundation and RTR Pilates are joining forces to help raise awareness and support for mind and body health following the COVID-19 pandemic. During this day, all RTR locations throughout the DMV will host a series of Pilates classes and donate 100% of their revenue to help support Second Genesis Foundation and its work to help assist the Greater Washington, D.C. community in the prevention and treatment of addiction.
RTR Pilates is a boutique reformer Pilates studio located in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding DMV area, strengthening and empowering the body and mind while supporting the community at large. Find a location near you and join us for a fun group reformer Pilates class, all while directly supporting your community.
There will also be an opportunity to shop RTR Pilates' Spring/Summer 2022 studio-to-street retail collection at all five studios. RTR Pilates will be donating 10% of all retail sales to Second Genesis.
february 2022
A PARTNERSHIP TO HELP EDUCATE AND ASSIST THE DMV COMMUNITY ON THE RECENT SPIKE IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Since the COVID-19 related social distancing began, the frequency of alcohol and drug use has dramatically increased in the Greater Washington, D.C. region. In 2020, D.C. saw fatal opioid overdoses increase by an astonishing 46%, Maryland saw a nearly 55% increase in some counties, and Virginia experienced its deadliest year ever for opioid-related fatalities, with a 42% increase in overdose deaths.
To help address this alarming trend, Second Genesis Foundation and Urbanspace Tysons are joining forces to help assist and mobilize the community in the prevention and treatment of addiction. Urbanspace will be donating space to host a series of quarterly roundtable luncheons where Business Leaders, Parents, Educators, and Restauranteurs can discuss amongst their peers how to help bring awareness, education, and helpful resources to those affected by addiction in the Greater Washington, D.C. region.
“ It’s devastating to think about food & beverage friends and colleagues that I’ve lost over the years. I was so blind to it - we all were. I’m grateful we are able to provide a place where people can come together to be reminded that substance abuse can be anywhere and it doesn’t discriminate.”
january 2022
announcing our first annual charity golf tournament
Join us on Monday, June 27 at The Golf Club at Lansdowne for our first annual Charity Golf Tournament. Enjoy a day of great golf and networking, followed by an Awards Reception featuring delicious food, an open bar, silent auction, amazing prizes, and great networking.
Shotgun 12:30 pm | Awards Reception 5:30 pm
Golf tickets, Foursomes, and select Sponsorships include boxed lunch before tee-off, unlimited drinks on the course, and Awards Reception (5:30-7:30 pm), with delicious food, an open bar, and great networking.
Register today to take advantage of our Early Bird 15% discount, only available until February 28th! Enter discount code EARLYBIRD at checkout.
http://www.secondgenesis.org/golf
December 2021
Happy holidays from us to you!
December 2021
Welcoming our new board of directors
We are excited to announce the addition of two new members to the Board of Directors: Debrajean Overholt and Michelle Trone.
With extensive leadership experience, these two new board members bring unique expertise to assist our organization, and our work to help educate and assist the community in the prevention and treatment of addiction. In their new roles, they will provide governance over strategic planning, fundraising, and communication.
Debrajean Overholt
Debrajean Overholt is an event professional with a history of creating meaningful brand experiences and social events for non-profits and private clients. She also provides strategic guidance to Embassies and other government agencies for diplomatic events. She worked for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for 25 years as Director of Catering and Conference Services and now heads her own event firm.
Debrajean has extensive experience in helping non-profits maximize both revenue and profitability, with a focus on strategic business acumen to drive results.
She is known for leading with empathy, advocating for clients, team, and vendors while clearly articulating and communicating expectations.
Debrajean graduated from Georgetown University with a BS in Social Sciences. She remains active with the University’s Alumni Board and serves as a Class Ambassador. She has three adult children and lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband.
Michelle Trone
Michelle Trone is a Senior Director of Store Operations at Total Wine & More, where she focuses primarily on digital fulfillment and customer experience.
Prior to Total Wine, Michelle worked for the Boston Consulting Group, the Albright Stonebridge Group, and World Bank Group.
Michelle holds an MBA from Wharton, an MA in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a BA from Emory.
We could not be more excited to have them join our team. Please take a moment to get to know our new board members by visiting our team page!
November 2021
#GIVINGTUESDAY - We raised $23,600 in only 24 hours!
We want to extend our warmest thanks to everyone who supported and donated during our GivingTuesday campaign.
You all blew us away with your generosity, helping us raise an amazing $23,600 in just 24 hours!
We also want to extend a warm thank you to our matching donor, Terra Site Constructors. Thank you for standing with us and investing in the health and well-being of the communities you also helped to build.
Each act of kindness means more when we give together, and with your support, we will be able to provide additional resources to families and individuals impacted by addiction.
Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make a change.
october 2021
Red Ribbon Round table Luncheon
Second Genesis Foundation hosted an intimate Round Table Luncheon at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. on October 20th, where local leaders gathered to discuss the public health crisis facing the United States.
More than 96,000 drug overdose deaths were reported in the United States between March 2020 and March 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down normal daily routines, according to recent data released by the CDC. During this time of great urgency, Second Genesis Foundation is proud to highlight the brave men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who work hard to keep the public safe from this global health crisis.
In recognition of the DEA’s Red Ribbon Week, Second Genesis Foundation hosted an intimate Round Table Luncheon and discussion with local leaders around the current scope of drug issues facing the United States. We were pleased to have a diverse group of individuals from both the public and private sector, along with individuals and community organizations working to prevent and address substance use disorders.
Sean Fearns, Chief, Community Outreach Section, Office of Congressional & Public Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration, with Dr. Robert DuPont, IBH, and H.E. Ambassador Tone Kajzer, Slovenian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Sean Fearns, Chief of DEA’s Community Outreach Section, Office of Congressional & Public Affairs helped share some in-depth knowledge and insight on the opioid epidemic. He also spoke about how DEA is working together with community organizations to help prevent more families and communities from losing loved ones to a drug overdose.
The Drug Enforcement Administration works to develop and implement strategic national partnerships with other organizations which help educate the public on the current drug threats facing the country, through an initiative called Operation Engage. Operation Engage is a comprehensive approach that targets the top drug threat identified by the local DEA division while continuing to focus on drug trafficking, violence, and crime reduction. View the below video to learn more about this public health crisis and how DEA works with community partners to save lives.
october 2021
meet our Philanthropists of the Year
Ross Little, Chairman, and Michaela Pratt, Director of Development, of Second Genesis Foundation present Mrs. Eva Al-Thani and H.E. Ambassador Al-Thani with the 2021 Philanthropy Award.
We are pleased to announce the recipients of our 2021 Philanthropy Award: H.E. Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America, and Mrs. Eva Al-Thani, for their support and dedication to helping families and individuals impacted by substance use disorders.
Second Genesis Foundation’s Philanthropy Award recognizes extraordinary individuals who have shown outstanding leadership in the area of philanthropy and who, through their giving, have significantly enriched our work within the prevention, education, treatment, and research related to substance use disorders.
Ambassador Al-Thani is well known for his global contributions to the community, earlier this year he was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the highest honorary award given by the United States to US officials and officials of the governments of friendly countries.
The medal is granted in recognition of distinguished and exceptional services and impressive achievements made by persons concerned who deserve appreciation and praise for their performance.
During the most recent unwinding in Afghanistan, Ambassador Al-Thani and his team lead instrumental efforts that helped save tens of thousands of Afghan lives.
The Philanthropy Award was presented earlier this month at an intimate dinner at the Ambassadors residence.
August 2021
raising support for families and individuals in need
Our mission is to provide support to organizations involved in the prevention, treatment, education, and research related to substance abuse. Since our inception in 2016, we have provided over $600,000 in funding to organizations in the D.C. Metropolitan region, all providing essential services within the area of substance abuse.
Since the COVID-19 related social distancing began, the frequency of alcohol and substance use has dramatically increased. Last year we saw the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, a statistic largely missed by the press due to the dominance of Covid-19 coverage.
This Fall we will host a Silent Auction campaign on CharityBuzz, the world's premier charity auction site catering to the top high net bidders and the most affluent philanthropic community in the world.
Learn more about how you can help support this important initiative and help us raise some important funds for families and individuals in need.
August 2021
the advisory board of second genesis foundation
The Advisory Board of Second Genesis Foundation is a volunteer group formed to help provide new insight, advice, and support to our executive staff and board. The advisory board may contribute to the organization in many ways, including fundraising, generate awareness, and help provide new opportunities and introductions to help support our work.
The Advisory Board will serve as a critical community champion of the Second Genesis Foundation. Members of the Advisory Board share their social capital in service to our mission by providing their professional expertise, diverse knowledge of constituent perspectives, connections to local, national, or international resources, colleagues or peers, and philanthropic support or other forms of needed assistance.
The Advisory Board will consist of a select group of people that will play a pivotal role in helping us increase our impact in the greater Washington area. To learn more about the advisory board, or to submit an application, download our Advisory Board package below.
June 2021
an evening celebrating our partners
On June 30th, H.E. Meshal Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America, and Mrs. Eva Al-Thani hosted an intimate dinner at their personal residence in support of the Second Genesis Foundation’s work with substance use prevention, education, treatment, and research. The intimate dinner gathered our inner circle of supporters, including business leaders, philanthropists and government officials. Held under the stars in the beautiful backyard of the Qatar residence, guests enjoyed musical performance, keynote remarks and highlights from our partner organizations.
MAY 2021
social media internship with second genesis foundation
Do you have a passion for creative communication through social media? Are you looking to have a direct impact on the community? If so, we would love to hear from you!
We are looking for a Social Media Intern to join our team this summer. With us, you will have the opportunity to learn the power of Social Media through non-profit communication. As our Social Media Content Intern, you will combine your knowledge and expertise of social media posts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to help further our mission.
This role requires strong writing and communication skills, attention to detail, and creativity. A successful candidate will be comfortable working independently and has a strong interest in non-profit communication.
This position is remote with approximately 10 - 15 hours per week. Flexible scheduling around school/work available. The internship is unpaid.
Please submit your resume and cover letter to info@secondgenesis.org.
MAY 2021
a visit to our partners at Lily’s place
On May 4th, Second Genesis Foundation made a visit to our partners at Lily’s Place, an organization that serves the tiniest of those affected by the opioid epidemic. Lily's Place opened its doors in October 2014 as the first Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Center in the United States. We received a special tour of their facilities and the specialized care they provide infants born with NAS. Lily's Place strives to make them as comfortable as possible while going through the weaning process.
Currently, there is approximately one baby diagnosed with NAS every 19 minutes in the United States, or nearly 80 newborns diagnosed every day. Lily's Place has 24-hour security to keep their infants, parents and caregivers safe. They also have a counselor/social worker available to support the families. When the situations allow it, Lily's Place also encourages mothers to room-in with their babies.
April 2021
a visit to our partners at brooke’s house
On April 30th, Second Genesis Foundation made a visit to our partners at Brooke's House, which provides a community-based, safe, stable, and emotionally supportive living environment for adult women in the early stages of substance abuse recovery. Founder, Kevin Simmers took us on a special tour of their social enterprise business and showed off the new junk removal truck which Second Genesis Foundation helped made possible through a grant.
We also had the opportunity to partake in the graduation ceremony of two women who successfully completed the first step of their recovery journey at Brooke’s House.
Kevin and Dana Simmers lost their daughter to the opioid epidemic. She had one wish before dying: to provide a recovery house for other women struggling with addiction. Determined to make her wish come true, Brooke’s House opened its doors in 2019 to provide women a safe and supportive environment to begin recovering from substance abuse.
april 2021
Welcoming our new Director of Development, Michaela Pratt
2020 was a difficult year, in so many ways. The isolation and shutdown of communities have directly impacted everyone, but some vulnerable groups of society more than others. Since the COVID-19 related social distancing began, the frequency of alcohol and substance use has dramatically increased. A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period in 2020, numbers that suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.
In response to this, Second Genesis Foundation decided to welcome a Director of Development with a single mission - to help increase the Foundation’s resources, partnerships, and impact in the area of substance abuse prevention, education, treatment, and research.
Michaela Pratt, who stepped into this role in early April, spent the past decade working with substance use prevention, and most recently as the President & CEO of Mentor Foundation USA, the U.S. chapter of an international non-profit working to prevent adolescent substance use. She has a strong track record of building cross-sector partnerships, cultivating high-profile supporters, and securing financial resources.
“The increase in overdose deaths and substance abuse is extremely concerning,” said Ross Little, Chairman, Second Genesis Foundation. Our priority is to do everything we can to provide resources and support for our partners, especially during this difficult time. We are confident that Michaela is the right person for this task.”
Second Genesis Foundation will now focus on providing financial support and on building collaboration between organizations and institutions involved in the prevention, treatment, education, and research related to substance abuse.
Jan 2021
Second Genesis Foundation provides essential emergency support during COVID-19
We are proud to be able to provide quick and responsive support during public health emergencies, to the most urgent needs in our communities. A person with a substance use disorder is more likely to relapse when they have poor eating habits. Regular meals are important as drug and alcohol addiction causes a person to forget what it is like to be hungry, and instead think of this feeling as a drug craving. Second Genesis Foundation provided support to the following food banks during the onset of the pandemic; The World Central Kitchen, Feed the Fridge, Manna Food Center, and Families4Families.
It is expected that one-third of non-profit organizations will not survive the pandemic. According to consecutive studies by the Nonprofit Finance Fund, less than 25% percent of nonprofits have more than six months of operating cash in reserve. In fact, the majority of nonprofits report having less than three months of operating reserves on hand. In response, Second Genesis Foundation provided additional operating grants during this challenging time.
may 2020
Second Genesis helps provide promising prevention program for High School students i Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Since 2018, Second Genesis has partnered with Mentor Foundation USA, and Anne Arundel County Department of health to empower young people to live healthy productive lives, free of substance use.
We are excited to share the promising results from the 'Living the Example' (LTE) program, conducted by the George Washington University and published in JMIR mHealth uHealth.
The study found strong indicators that the LTE program appears to offer a protective effect, with exposure to program messages leading to reduced drug use intentions.
July 2019
Second Genesis Foundation Makes Grants to Lily’s Place, Brooke’s House, and Institute for Behavior and Health
Second Genesis Foundation (“SGF) announced that it recently made grants totaling $60,000 to Lily’s Place, Brooke’s House, and Institute for Behavior and Health. The SGF Board is excited to enter into relationships with these organizations and looks forward to providing ongoing support.
Lily’s Place, located in Huntington, West Virginia provides medical care to infants suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and offers non-judgmental support, education, and counseling services to families and caregivers. Lily's Place opened its doors in October 2014 as the first Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Center in the United States. Lily's Place provides observational, therapeutic, and pharmacological care to infants suffering from prenatal drug exposure and uses proven therapeutic handling methods and the latest weaning techniques to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Brooke’s House, located in Hagerstown, Maryland, strives to inspire and empower women suffering from the disease of addiction by providing them a safe, stable, and emotionally supportive living environment while in the early stages of recovery. Brooke’s House provides a community-based, safe, stable, and emotionally supportive living environment for adult women in the early stages of substance abuse recovery. Ensuring a tranquil, home-like facility, Brooke’s House ensures state-of-the-art treatment and recovery services and resources to help residents move forward to achieve their dreams of living drug-free and productive lives.
Institute for Behavior and Health, located in Washington, DC, was founded in 1978 by nationally renowned substance abuse expert Robert L. DuPont, MD. The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that develops new ideas to reduce illegal drug use. Non-partisan and non-political, IBH serves as a catalyst for change. IBH facilitates creative public and private sector collaboration to achieve this important public health goal. The mission of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. is to reduce the use of illegal drugs and improve prevention and treatment. We work to achieve this mission by conducting research, promoting ideas that are affordable and scalable, linking with other individuals and groups to create synergies, and presenting new ideas at national meetings and in the media and by writing papers and reports that appear in leading journals and publications.
april 2018
Second Genesis Foundation makes a grant to
Mentor Foundation for Shatter The Myths Youth Rally
Empowering Youth to Shatter the Myths about Drug Misuse
For the eighth year, Mentor Foundation USA partnered with the Embassy of Sweden, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and other key partners to host a ‘Shatter the Myths’ youth rally, giving youth a voice to address the threats of drug and substance misuse.
‘Shatter the Myths’ is a program designed to dispel myths that youth have about drugs such as “Everybody is doing it” and “One time will not harm me.” By focusing on the innate talents youth have and providing a platform to make their voices heard, youth become their own advocates for staying drug–free. This innovative peer-to-peer model for drug prevention is well-documented and nationally recognized.
The 2018 ‘Shatter the Myths’ event was held on April 11th at House of Sweden in Washington, D.C. 150 high school students from Washington, D.C. interacted with a top U.S. scientist and inspiring guest speakers to “shatter the myths” about drugs and substance misuse, and pledge to also stay drug-free. Participating schools included: Idea Public Charter School, Phelps ACE High School, The Field School, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School, and Capital City Charter.
MArch 2018
Second Genesis Funds $10,000 Grant to Montgomery
Police Department Foundation
Second Genesis Foundation funded a $10,000 grant to the Montgomery Police Department Foundation to support the MPD’s Narcan program. Second Genesis Foundation matched the proceeds raised at the Sam Quinones Event hosted at The National Press Club and the grant will enable MPD to purchase close to 100 Narcan kits, an essential part of treating opioid overdose patients.
Opioid use is one of the main causes of overdose. Naloxone, also known as Narcan©, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In Montgomery County, public safety workers, including Police and Fire and Rescue Services, carry Naloxone. Montgomery County participates in Maryland’s Overdose Response Program and provides free Naloxone training and kits to the community.
MArch 2018
The Second Genesis Foundation Presents An Evening with
Sam Quinones the author of Dreamland
As part of its mission to educate and assist the DMV community in the prevention and treatment of addiction, the Second Genesis Foundation hosted an event on March 21, 2018 at the National Press Club with Sam Quinones, author of the renowned book Dreamland. Opening remarks was made by U.S. Representative Ann Kuster of New Hampshire, Co-Founder of the Congressional Bipartisan Heroin Task Force.
Quinones shared his insights from writing the book before sitting down for a question and answer period with the audience, moderated by NBC 4 News Co-Anchor Wendy Rieger.
Read more about our Education and Awareness programs here.
ABOUT THE BOOK: In fascinating detail, Sam Quinones weaves together two classic tales of American capitalism: The stories of young men in Mexico, independent of the drug cartels, in search of their own American Dream via the fast and enormous profits of trafficking cheap black-tar heroin to America’s rural and suburban addicts; and that of Purdue Pharma in Stamford, Connecticut, determined to corner the market on pain with its new and expensive miracle drug, Oxycontin; extremely addictive in its own right. Quinones illuminates just how these two stories fit together as cause and effect: hooked on costly Oxycontin, American addicts were lured to much cheaper black tar heroin and its powerful and dangerous long-lasting high. Embroiled alongside the suppliers and buyers are DEA agents, local, small-town sheriffs, and the US attorney from eastern Virginia whose case against Purdue Pharma and Oxycontin made him an enemy of the Bush-era Justice Department, ultimately stalling and destroying his career in public service. Dreamland is a scathing account of drug culture and addiction spreading to every part of the American landscape.
january 2018
Second Genesis Funds First Half of $50,000 Grant to Lily’s Place
In 2017 and 2018, The Second Genesis Foundation provided funding for the Lily's Place Family Foundations Program which is designed to educate parents and caregivers on the complexities facing their infant with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) while also ensuring the family unit is healthy. Their social worker meets with each parent and/or caregiver to assess their current needs. Family Foundations allows us to train, educate, and refer individuals to treatment (or other resources) in accordance with the needs assessment performed by the social worker. Our director of nursing oversees the hands-on training which is provided in-house to each parent or caregiver. This training involves everything from therapeutic handling techniques to how to properly secure a car seat. The Family Foundations project seeks to end the generational cycle of addition and promote a healthy family unit.
Lily's Place, a West Virginia based non-profit organization, provides observational, therapeutic and pharmacological care for nearly 100 infants every year suffering from prenatal drug exposure. These treatment activities give Lily's Place the opportunity to serve approximately 200 parents, caregivers and family members each year.
SEPTEMBER 2016
Second Genesis Foundation has entered into a partnership with The Biscuit Factory, LLC.
Everyday there is another front page tragedy detailing another spectacular fall from grace. What is missing is real understanding of the complicated personal experience within addiction.
How does a smart, loving, promising kid move from acting in the high school play to putting a needle in his arm? WRITTEN OFF reveals that journey, in Matt’s own words. Behind the addiction, there is a person – all at once lovable and despicable, funny and pathetic, young and old, destructive and aware of his failings.
Second Genesis Foundation has entered into a partnership with The Biscuit Factory, LLC. in the production of an independent feature documentary film project. WRITTEN OFF challenges the stigma of opiate addiction by unravelling the intricate web of a single addiction story.
In addition to production of the film, the project is mounting an outreach effort via screenings and discussion panels to help audiences gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding addiction. The project is also reaching out to policy makers, leaders and educators.
The Biscuit Factory produces factual programming for networks such as National Geographic, Discovery and Smithsonian Channel.
Click here for more information or go to www.written-off.com.
AUGUST 2016
Second Genesis Foundation Announces Grant to Community of Concern
The Community of Concern is a partnership of parents, students, schools and other organizations working together to keep youth alcohol, tobacco and other drug free, using science as the foundation. The centerpiece of the initiative is our award-winning booklet, compiled by a committee of parents from Georgetown Preparatory School and reviewed by experts. ‘A Parent’s Guide for the Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use’ has spread in a grass-roots fashion and there are nearly 2 million copies in parent’s hands in 37 states and 4 countries.
The Community of Concern has a team of nationally prominent neuroscientists who translate their research into lay terms so that both parents and students can understand the negative effects of alcohol and other drugs on young brain development. By joining together, parents, students, schools and other organizations are able to participate as a group in the effort to prevent alcohol and other drug use through education and cooperation. Together we are stronger than alone.
Second Genesis recently funded a grant to Community of Concern to provide working capital, finance customer initiatives and to update and upgrade their website.
Principals of both organizations can be reached through their respective websites:
Community of Concern (www.thecommunityofconcern.org)
Second Genesis Foundation (www.secondgenesis.org)