We are on hiatus due to the pandemic and the concern about in person gatherings.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS was birthed from a mixture of grief, hope and determination after the life and death of Mikey Fielders. As the heroin epidemic began choking the life out of so many in our wider community, the Fielders family and the Faith Community of the First Congregational Church came together with first responders and people in recovery to name the concerns and gather in solutions. Sharing light in the darkness and daring to talk about this problem out of the shadows we hope to be a resource for people to be stronger in this fight against substance misuse. FCCE and OOTS work together to provide the assurance that everyone has a place to belong.

The VISION STATEMENT for Out of the Shadows: Investing in people to build thriving communities.

MISSION STATEMENT: Out of the Shadows serves as a community resource that focuses on wellness and mental health awareness as a way to combat substance use disorder. Shining a light on the struggles of addiction, isolation and stigma, OOTS seeks to be a hub for services that advocate, communicate and educate about spiritual, physical and mental wellness.

Out of the Shadows a 501 C3 nonprofit organization

PRE PANDEMIC NEWS: The board has recently been reconstituted and is now moving forward with good things. The upstairs classroom space will be updated and transformed into a space for both learning and healing thanks to amazing funds graciously raised by Eliot- South Berwick Rotary. Sheri Anderson-Wormwood is leading us in this design of space.

We continue to work with people and families who seek help with opiate misuse and recovery hopes. We are a first step for spiritual support, emergency needs and educational resources. We refer to programs in York, Dover and Rochester, for assessment and aid. The focus of OOTS is mental health and healing related to substance use disorder prevention and suicide prevention and survivors of the epidemic.

The OOTS imagines a program that hosts family nights for children and sober guardians of families impacted by drug misuse have a place to meet for learning, connection, support and growth. We hope to increase the community connections and educational formats as needed. A symposium on mental heath and recovery living is being planned for by Out of the Shadows. Funds are currently available to support naloxone needs, bed assignments and transportation to assistance facilities.

Board Members:
Kristina Goodwin - Co Director
Beth Hoffman - Co Director
Pam Benedetto- Clerk / Treasurer
Jeffrey Pelkey – Member at Large
Lydia Hoffman- Young Adult Liaison
Sherri Anderson Wormwood – Ad Hoc Member