Last April, Jon Davis received the inaugural Community Service Award presented by NPAworldwide. He and his wife Jody are the founders of Coram Deo (coramdeorecovery.org) in the Greater Hartford (CT) area. Coram Deo helps women struggling with addiction and abuse rebuild their lives and families. In a recent newsletter to their supporters, Jody shared a pair of stories that framed well the ups and downs of the work that Coram Deo does.
Hellos and Goodbyes
The first story is one of “Hellos” - Coram Deo received a call from Heather, a woman who had previously been a resident in one of the recovery houses. She wanted to come back to the house, and this time she had significant motivation to pursue her recovery: she is pregnant, trying to stay sober, and needed a safe place to stay until she can make it on her own. The question was clear: would Coram Deo take the chance to help someone in clear need - no crib, no baby clothes, no diapers? They chose to say “hello” for a second time to Heather, and the first time to baby Kyler, due in a few months.
In the middle of that exciting opportunity, Coram Deo also had to say “goodbye.” In January, Shaneese, a woman with 18 months of sobriety and who had fought through the depression and challenges of losing her mother, passed away due to the rapid onset of COVID symptoms. Shaneese’s sister had this to say about the time spent at Coram Deo - “you don’t know how much you helped my sister. She always said that. She cared for each and everyone there. She loved helping. She loved loving. 
Thank you for helping to create her perfect ending.”
These ups and downs are examples of the tension and challenges that Coram Deo meets, head-on, every day. You can read the complete story of these remarkable women or sign up for updates about Coram Deo in their latest newsletter.
To support their ongoing work with women in recovery, please consider purchasing needed items from the Coram Deo wishlist or making an online donation.