10 years after tragedy, Alexandra’s Light of Hope shines on families of overdose victims
BUFFALO TWP — Nearly 10 years later, Kevin and Catherine Slane, now of Buffalo Township, are still mourning the loss of their daughter, Alexandra, who died in October 2016 at the age of 26 after a long and painful battle with fentanyl addiction.
“Our daughter was a wonderful, caring person, and in her name we wanted to show care for others,” Kevin said.
In 2022, the Slanes channeled their grief into action, forming “Alexandra’s Light of Hope,” an organization dedicated to providing support for those grappling with addiction like their daughter did.
“We wanted to help in some way to honor her,” Catherine said.
To mark Overdose Awareness Day on Monday, Aug. 31, the organization held a memorial service at SonRise Community Church for those who died by overdose. The service was led by the Rev. John Neyman.
“A person can never be defined by the worst day of his or her life. That is not what defines anyone,” Neyman said during the service. “We are defined by the fact that we are created by the Creator of the universe. A son is still someone's son. A daughter is still someone's daughter. A mother is still a mom. A father is still a dad. There's a difference between remembering how someone died and remembering how someone lived.”
Prior to Monday night’s service, the church displayed posters and video montages of the faces of 12 individuals from across Butler County and Western Pennsylvania, including Alexandra, who died either facing a battle with or as an indirect consequence of addiction.
“We want to cut the stigma ... that it’s just bad people that are overdosing on drugs or do drugs. It’s our family members,” Catherine said. “People from the church or from the area submitted photos (of loved ones). and this is a glimpse of the faces of overdose. We just want to say they mattered.”
Alexandra’s Light of Hope is primarily focused on providing financial assistance to those in the midst of recovering from addiction and trying to get back on their feet. The group also provides financial assistance to other local nonprofit organizations, such as the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center in Butler and Addiction Recovery Ministry in Allegheny County.
“We started the organization to help people in whatever way we can, including those in recovery who may need some financial help restarting their lives with rent, food, clothing and perhaps, job training,” Kevin said.
In addition, Kevin and Catherine said the organization may soon form a grief support group for families of loved ones who lost their battles with addiction.
A long-term goal for Alexandra’s Light of Hope is to one day create a sober living house — or, as Kevin called it, a “three-quarter house,” to provide support to those who are on the verge of completing their recovery and transition to regular life.
“A sober living environment not only provides structure, but it provides camaraderie,” Kevin said. “It provides an opportunity to work with other people in the same situations to find common strength in staying clean and sober and becoming contributing members of our community again.”
