Dear Anonymous,
He has lived experience of addiction. And recovery. And all the messy territory that lives between these two shores. He has sustained deep personal loss. One of his brothers died from a fatal overdose. Recently. She, as well, recently lost a boyfriend to the same path. They are both employed. Live in a lovely apartment. They choose to visit.
I am just sitting with how that was yesterday to have them hand out packs to folks on the street in his brother's memory. Reflecting on the conversations. How impossible it can feel to make any change. Just how difficult it is to do so. Just how diminished thinking can become out here. Desperation. Urgency. Drama. Being overwhelmed is the norm. Mental illness partners with substance abuse. Trauma is leaking everywhere. Everyone talks at once. No one listening. No one realizing they are talking over someone else. Triggers. Triggers. What's the plan? I need a drink. I need a fix. I need boxers.
For these two to simply arrive. Stand with us. Be kind. Offer something without needing anything. Good medicine. Thank you.
I met Nick Giacoppo at MaineWorks and his brother Chris Giacoppo. Beautiful men...
I met Nick Giacoppo at MaineWorks and his brother Chris Giacoppo. Beautiful men. They lost their brother Ricky to a fatal overdose this year. This morning Nick joined me on the streets and distributed backpacks from his family's non-profit RICKY,INC. A tribute and living memorial aimed to assist those struggling on the street. Though they are operating out of the Boston area Nick was able to distribute many here in Portland this morning. Nick's mom...I'd be very, very proud.
Two really bright and involved people who give my world great hope. Nick and Virginia...
Two really bright and involved people who give my world great hope. Nick and Virginia. Having wrestled with and survived awful odds in recovery. Who have sustained intense personal loss. Out this morning at 5:30 AM sharing backpacks loaded with street useful items from RICKY,INC. Named after one of Nick's brothers who died from a fatal overdose.
Rickyinc.org
These two young, bright people joined me to distribute backpacks for RICKY,INC.
Dear Anonymous,
These two young , bright people joined me to distribute backpacks for RICKY,INC. ( Respecting Individuals with Care and Kindness You Matter) This is a non profit started by Bernadette and Rich Giacoppo who lost their son to a fatal overdose. This is Ricky's brother Nick Giacoppo and his girlfriend Virginia Norton, who has also lost people very close to her to fatal overdose.The packs are filled with resource information and practical items, from food to socks to hats to personal hygiene products.
Their presence initiated some conversation regarding use and addiction and rehab. Tough and real.
And one man listening, uncharacteristically wipes his eyes with a wadded up tissue. And asks for help.
'I don't want to live like this no more.'
Thank you Nick Giacoppo, and Virginia and RICKY,INC. for joining us this morning.
Thank you Dear Anonymous.