Jim & Barbara Goodmon participate in a virtual groundbreaking for the Healing Transitions capitol campaign, Recovery Can’t Wait, on Thursday, March 25, 2021.
Corp CEO & Board Chairman Jim Goodmon and his wife, A.J. Fletcher Foundation President Barbara Goodmon, both participated in the virtual groundbreaking for the Recovery Can’t Wait capital campaign for Healing Transitions in Raleigh on Thursday, March 25, 2021. The pair unveiled a challenge grant from the Fletcher Foundation.
Barbara Goodmon is one of the original trio who brought the concept of the Healing Place to Raleigh. She, alongside former WRAL-TV Vice President & General Manager, the late Fred Barber and community advocate Maria Spaulding, wanted to develop a successful substance abuse treatment center for the homeless in Raleigh.
With addition issues in the Triangle community and then the community challenge of so many people who needed treatment getting stuck in the system, The Healing Place of Wake County was a different option, a center for non-medical detox and active recovery. The men’s center opened in 2001, and the women’s center followed in 2006. The name changed to Healing Transitions in 2016.
The Triangle has grown significantly in the last 30 years and with that growth an uptick in addiction issues, especially around the opioid epidemic. Thus, so has the need for help and recovery. So, the Healing Transitions has launched the Recovery Can’t Wait capital campaign to expand services at both the men’s and women’s centers, increasing their capacity by 200 beds.
The multi-year campaign originated with a $1 million pledge gift from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation in July 2019. Barbara Goodmon serves as honorary campaign chairperson alongside Spaulding and Evelyn Barber, wife of the late Fred Barber. Campaign co-chairs are Dr. Robert Bilbro and his wife, Carol.
The virtual groundbreaking event in March kicked off the public face of the campaign. The Goodmons announced that the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, which started the fundraising, is coming in near the end to finish the campaign with a $250,000 challenge grant. Between now and August 31, the Fletcher Foundation will match donations up to $250,000, if 100 of the donors are first-time givers to Healing Transitions.
“In 1997, I went to Louisville, KY to see a program working with addicted individuals with much success,” said Barbara Goodmon during the groundbreaking.
She explained how she helped raise the original $4 million for the Healing Place and NC Governor at the time Jim Hunt leased the land for the men’s center. Before committing he asked Goodmon if she would remain involved with the program or move on once it opened.
“I promise you I be involved with the Healing Place as long as I’m able,” she recalled telling him. And went on to echo the theme of the current campaign, “Addiction really can’t wait.”
“This doesn’t just benefit people who suffer from addiction but makes our community stronger and more resilient,” said AJFF Executive Director & Vice President Damon Circosta.
Angel Oak Creative coordinated the virtual event.
“It was the very best groundbreaking ceremony in the history of groundbreaking ceremonies,” said Circosta. “Usually staff and dignitaries show up and put shovels in ground but this time people could send in photos of them with shovels. Everybody was there virtually. We all got to hear and be inspired by people supporting campaign and people supported by this work.”
WRAL-TV Anchor/Reporter David Crabtree emceed the livestreaming event.
Contributions can be made to the Recovery Can’t Wait campaign for Healing Transitions HERE
“I love the concept,” said Circosta of Healing Transitions. “Everybody likes to complain about people on streets of downtown Raleigh, but those people don’t have a choice. Healing Transitions gives people an opportunity to come to recovery, not forced. It’s a beautiful concept.”
See more from the virtual groundbreaking event on the Healing Transitions Facebook page.
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