LANSING – For the past 11 years the last Friday in October has been the Ingham County Treatment Courts Foundation's (ICTCF) annual fundraising breakfast. Unfortunately, this year COVID has prohibited the breakfast where graduates of the program were celebrated and the ICTCF raised most of its money to help program participants throughout the year.

This is unfortunate as the Ingham County recovery community has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports the relapse rate for individuals during our current pandemic is 30%. “Our mission is to help support these individuals maintain sobriety as they face life's challenges – especially during COVID,” says Linda Vail, ICTCF Board member and Ingham County Health Officer.

"ICTCF has the important job of supporting these vulnerable citizens in the trifecta of stressful situations – maintaining sobriety, learning healthy coping skills while avoiding coronavirus in one of the nation's most challenging socio-economic times," says Jerre Cory, ICTCF Executive Director. "The courts are open and are continuing to provide incredible and creative services to individuals enrolled in the Ingham County treatment courts programs. Every contribution goes to helping an individual deal with unexpected expenses that may challenge their sobriety. Every donation makes a real difference in someone's life."

Unable to hold its fundraising breakfast, the ICTCF quickly pivoted its focus on its new website and social media to share information, including a series of videos from Dr. Drew and local MSU celebrities including former MSU Basketball players Matt McQuaid and Kyle Ahrens to help with this year's fundraising campaign. To view the videos visit www.inghamsobriety.com or www.facebook.com/inghamsobriety

ICTCF is a 501(c)(3) organization where every contribution ICTCF receives helps our treatment courts provide recovery services and save lives. These courts have made a tremendous difference over the last 11 years recording over 1,000 graduates. Most graduates credit the program for keeping them alive, allowing them to have positive relationships with their families and be contributing members to the community.

Shared here are some video clips promoting the event; these video clips of former MSU basketball players Kyle Ahrens and Matt McQuaid discussing the Foundation’s efforts, and Dr. Drew.  

Kyle Ahrens: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cOr8Nu2BYFbA58xTr-svQHgmx51cd2JJ/view?usp=sharing

Matt McQuaid: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YUqldPXyfpVrrk8KCZBwXnwXoDadPkus/view?usp=sharing

Dr. Drew: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jr2gpll079BRRlb1J1IYcockZ0luu1Gd/view?usp=sharing

For more information on the positive impact of the ICTCF, visit its website at www.inghamsobriety.com.

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