D.C. Metropolitan Area PI Chapter Partners with National Capital Treatment & Recovery
Nonprofit provides ‘fresh start’ purses, backpacks to support graduates’ accomplishments
Arlington, VA, December 10, 2020 – Today, D.C. Metropolitan area chapter Purse-Impressions President Brian Silengo and Vice President James Brennan met with and donated more than 40 gently-used purses and backpacks for graduates of the National Capital Treatment & Recovery, formerly Phoenix House Mid-Atlantic, one of the foremost addiction treatment centers in the region. Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, based in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Old Town, Alexandria, provided hygiene kits, socks, hair ties, and cosmetics to be placed in each bag.
More than 40 purses and backpacks were donated to launch the partnership between Purse-Impressions and National Treatment & Recovery. From left to right: D.C. Metropolitan area chapter Purse-Impressions President Brian Silengo; Clinical Director George Knorlei;, Demeter Women’s Program Residential Specialist Anika Woodard; National Capital Treatment & Recovery CEO Deborah Taylor; Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22 Worshipful Master Daniel Froggett, PM; and D.C. Metropolitan area chapter Purse-Impressions Vice President James Brennan.
“We’re thrilled to launch this partnership with National Capital Treatment & Recovery, which has helped tens of thousands of individuals struggling with substance use,” said Silengo, Purse-Impressions, D.C. Metropolitan area chapter president. “This is the first of many organizations we hope to partner with throughout the region that support addiction recovery.”
“We serve a diverse population of women coming into treatment and many of them have lost almost everything due to their drug and alcohol use,” said Deborah Taylor, R.N., C.D., President/CEO, National Capital Treatment & Recovery. “As they begin to heal and begin their path to recovery they need so much. Being gifted a purse or backpack as they leave treatment is an affirmation of their inner worth. We are extremely grateful to Purse-Impressions for giving such a meaningful gift to provide hope and dignity to our women as they begin anew.”
“Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22 commends Purse-Impressions and supports the people who have benefited from its good works,” said Worshipful Master Daniel Froggett, PM, Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22. “Assisting a person in bettering their own life through rehabilitation is the fountain head of Masonic Life.”
Gently-used and new purses and backpacks, as well as cash donations, are collected annually to support two donation drives in the Spring and over the holidays. All donations are tax deductible. Additionally, Purse-Impressions has partnered with the AmazonSmile Foundation, receiving 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products when indicated as the charity of choice. To get involved, donate, partner, or volunteer as a drop-off location, contact [email protected].
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ABOUT PURSE-IMPRESSIONS
Launched in 2019, in memory of Courtney Elizabeth Michaels and her struggles with alcohol abuse, Purse-Impressions is a volunteer, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to gift graduates from rehab with gently-used purses, bags, backpacks, as well as toiletry kits, to celebrate this significant milestone, allowing them to move forward with dignity and strength. To date, the group has donated more than 1,200 purses in eight locations in the U.S. and Canada. Visit www.purse-impressions.com.
ABOUT NATIONAL CAPITAL TREATMENT & RECOVERY
Since 1962, National Capital Treatment & Recovery™, formerly Phoenix House Mid-Atlantic, has served more than 40,000 individuals struggling with substance use disorder and continues to be one of the foremost addiction treatment centers in the region. Treatment facilities, located in Virginia, also serve patients from Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and across the country. Visit www.natcaptreatment.org. ABOUT ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE, NO. 22
Over their 236-year history, Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22 has worked diligently to emulate the charity and relief that is incumbent upon Masons. Meetings are held at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial on the second Thursday of each month. Visit www.aw22.org
