Panel meets in Tamaqua to discuss addiction

There’s no easy solution, but the right people are making strides to help change the conversation about the opioid epidemic.

Hope & Coffee, which has quickly become an integral part of the Tamaqua community, hosted a guest panel and discussion on Monday afternoon. Speakers talked about personal battles and how to help make a difference locally.

Many area leaders were on site for Monday’s discussion.

Micah Gursky, executive director of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, opened the discussion. He was joined by Lisa Scheller, benefactor and founder of Hope & Coffee; Marie Beaver, executive director of Rea of Hope; Patrick Reilly, president and CEO of Mauch Chunk Trust Co.; Winthrop Watson, president and CEO of FHL Bank Pittsburgh and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser. State Rep. Jerry Knowles was also in attendance, as well as Tammy and John Sienkiewicz from Tamaqua’s Safer Streets organization.

FHLBank Pittsburgh is described as “congressionally chartered cooperative of local financial institutions operating across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The bank uses private money to ensure the flow of credit and services to local lenders and assists them in serving the affordable housing and economic development needs of the communities.

“This was my best meeting of the day,” said Meuser. “Even though we’re talking about a topic as serious as opioid use, drug addiction and alcohol addiction, this was so inspiring. Lisa Scheller and her place Hope & Coffee — she’s an amazing person and incredible community leader. She along with others established this Hope & Coffee, it’s a wonderful place to meet some great people, hear some inspiring stories, do what you can to help and have a great cup of coffee.”

Hope & Coffee describes itself as “a place where we can remember those we’ve loved and cared about who were lost to their addictions and … a place where we can celebrate the recovery of those who embrace it.”

The shop celebrated its anniversary last month. Although it’s only been open for generally a short period of time, the shop, which employs those who are battling addiction, has made a major impact on many lives throughout the Tamaqua community.

In front of a packed shop full of leaders and media members, Scheller and Beaver shared their inspirational stories Monday. Both women are successful, have battled addiction and adversity in the past and are making a significant impact on many people’s lives with the work that they do each day.

“It was not, but it is rapidly becoming a very recovery-friendly community,” Scheller said to the panel during a conversation. “I think Hope & Coffee is a keystone in all of that.”

Beaver leads Rea of Hope Inc. in Charleston, West Virginia. Rea of Hope provides safe, affordable housing that fosters recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, while promoting self-sufficiency in a positive, homelike environment. Rea of Hope used Affordable Housing Program funds from FHLBank Pittsburgh and its member Summit Community Bank to finance additional housing for those in recovery.

“Today’s discussion was really about hope,” said Beaver. “There are far too many people suffering with addiction in our communities. The organizations represented here today provide those who are hurting with hope that tomorrow can be better. The partnerships we nurture throughout our communities are the building blocks of the path to recovery for those most in need.”

Last month, Meuser welcomed the executive director for the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to Tamaqua. Economic revitalization and the Opportunity Zones program were the topics of discussion with Tamaqua leaders, investors and developers.

Monday’s panel discussion on the opioid crisis and issues of addiction is an effort to continue to build partnerships and strengthen the health and well-being of the community.

“Things are still very challenging when it comes to drug overuse and addiction, but we really do hope the numbers are going to be heading in the right direction,” Meuser said. “More people are going to be receiving treatment. More people are going to be saved; more lives are going to be saved because of the work of people like Lisa Scheller and places like Hope & Coffee in Tamaqua.”