News: 2007 Archive

Tribute to Recovery Provides Support and Inspiration

Project Rehab’s Tribute to Recovery Series promotes personal success by providing clients, recovering community members, and families with resources and support as they work to create and maintain sobriety. Held the second Monday of each month, each session features a keynote speaker who addresses the month’s theme.

 "With 10% of the general population being classified as having substance dependence or addiction—that’s nearly 60,000 people right here in Kent County—we need to do all we can to support those in recovery," explained Tommy House, Executive Directory of Project Rehab.  "This program inspires those in recovery and also helps to reduce the stigma of substance use disorders by highlighting some very successful people who put a face on the recovery." 

House went on to explain that alcohol and drug problems are not only common, but they can happen to anyone.  "Alcohol and drugs do not discriminate," said House. 

The Tribute to Recovery events are free and open to the public.  They are held the second Monday of each month from 7pm to 9pm at 834 Lake Drive SE (in the Abundant Life Center), Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

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Native American History Month Observed with Presentation from Activist Author

(Grand Rapids, MI) --- His journey from the FBI's ten most wanted list to respected Ottawa Tribal elder was an adventurous spiritual journey that brought Larry “Pun” Plamondon home.  Plamondon’s adventures, recounted in his book, “Lost from the Ottawa: The Story of the Journey Back”, include establishing the White Panther Party with fellow activist John Sinclair, surviving the Detroit riots, and driving equipment trucks for rock bands including Kiss and Foreigner. 

Plamondon, who is a master storyteller, will share the excerpts from his book and other insights into Native American culture at a November 12 installment of Project Rehab’s Tribute to Recovery.  The Tribute to Recovery Series is presented the second Monday of each month.  In November, the series focuses on Native American History Month and offers Plamondon’s presentation about what Native American cultures can teach about “finding our way”.

“The Tribute to Recovery series celebrates recovery and provides inspiration to anyone whose life has been touched by recovery,” explained Tina Dee, Director of Community Relations.  “We are really pleased to have Pun with us in November to share his fascinating story.  While he’s an excellent role model for those in recovery, having read his book and heard his presentations before, I can also say that he’s an inspiration for anyone wanting to realize their potential.”

Plamondon’s journey began in northern Michigan where he was born to an unwed couple of Ottawa and Ojibwa decent who were forced to place him for adoption.  He was adopted and raised by a white Traverse City couple, but as he grew older feelings of not fitting in caused him to lead a troubled youth and leave home as a teenager.

At the age of 24, he became the first 1960s revolutionary added to the FBI's Most Wanted List.  But the most difficult part of his journey was finding his way back after years of addiction.  After hitting low points in his life with his alcohol and drug abuse, he met someone who introduced him to his Indian heritage.  This meeting helped Plamondon begin to find his way back and he cleaned himself up.

The Tribute to Recovery events are free and open to the public.  They are held the second Monday of each month from 7pm to 9pm at 834 Lake Drive SE in Grand Rapids.

Project Rehab, a not-for-profit organization that has been improving lives since 1968, is part of Proaction Behavioral Health Alliance.

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