Gaiser Center fashion show supports expansion, continuation of addiction recovery services
BUTLER TWP — Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center’s sixth fashion show gave attendees a chance to peruse some fashionable clothes while supporting a force for addiction recovery in the community.
The center held its sixth fashion show in the last eight years Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, at the Tesla Biohealing Wellness Hotel and Resort in Butler Township. The event featured a lunch, several vendors, basket raffles, a silent auction and, of course, a runway show presenting garments from local boutiques.
But the focus of Sunday’s event remained the Gaiser Center’s mission — providing treatment and services to those struggling with addiction.
Before models began walking the runway, Renee Golubski, a former client of the Gaiser Center who is approaching her 10th year of sobriety, spoke about her experience at the center in 2016.
She said she went to rehab several times throughout her 27-year addiction but never stayed long enough to truly detox. The Gaiser Center, however, gave her that chance.
“As soon as I went to Gaiser, that is really where I started to learn and embrace recovery,” she said. “Not only do the counselors get to know you since you’re long term, they can really help you work through your problems. They encouraged approved family members and friends to come see you. They let you go to meetings and go out with your family,” she said.
Golubski said after her three months at the center came near to a close, she begged to stay another month, which they funded. All in all, she ended up staying six months before eventually returning to her parents’ house.
She said she learned how to cope with the ups and downs of life and now finds gratitude in every single sober moment.
“Life isn’t all rainbows and beautiful things happening. Life is hectic and chaotic and stressful. But I got better with all that. Even today, every moment that I have clean and sober, I’m so grateful. Even if the worst things are going on in my life, I’m still so extremely grateful I picked recovery,” she said.
Joe Golubski, Renee’s father, also struggled with addiction, and is now 32 years sober. He said he wanted his daughter to get sober but struggled to connect with her. Then, through the work of the Gaiser Center, they were able to reconnect and enjoy sobriety together.
“I’m so happy for Renee, and I’m so happy that there’s a place like Gaiser. It’s a blessing. It’s a house of miracles,” he said.
Gaiser Center executive director Joe Mahoney said the fashion show serves as a significant fundraiser for the center while also helping build community connections. He said this year’s event actually oversold tickets.
“It’s exciting to see because it really does show that it takes a whole community, a whole village. We have support from some businesses and nonprofits and friends, families and neighbors that pull together and create this network for people in recovery,” he said.
Mahoney said the center is also looking to expand its services further southwest in Pennsylvania, namely to Greene County. He said it is planning to offer “withdrawal management nonhospital level of care.”
“This is historically where people who are looking to enter into addiction treatment’s journey oftentimes starts,” he explained.
He said the desire to expand southward comes from a lack of resources currently available for that impacted region.
“(Greene County) really sort of mirrored our own struggles in Butler County,” he said.
Mahoney said while the center is looking at expansion, it will always look for ways it can better support the Butler County community. He said the center is thankful for all the support it receives, whether through an event or in general, to make its mission possible.
