We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible turnout at Waves of Awareness this past Saturday, held in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.

An amazing 61 community providers and approximately 2,000 attendees from across Northeast Ohio gathered in Cleveland's Public Square to reflect, remember, and unite. Together, we honored the cherished memories of those we've lost to overdoses, offered our support to those left behind, and uplifted friends and family members on their journey to recovery.

A special thanks to our extraordinary Steering Committee, whose dedication throughout the year made Waves of Awareness possible. Their tireless efforts brought this powerful event to fruition.

We are also deeply thankful for the financial support of our sponsors. Our presenting sponsor, The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, along with RCS Corporation, LIUNA and Ohio LECET, Cars in Cleveland, Community West Foundation, The Center for Health Affairs, Glenbeigh, and The MHARS Board of Lorain County, made this event possible through their generosity.

 

We'd also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Program for installing 5,000 purple flags in honor of the 5,000 Ohioans who lost their lives last year, and for assisting our 61 community providers with loading and unloading their materials throughout the evening.

A special thank you to our fantastic emcee, Peter Fleischer, from WKYC Studios, and our incredible speakers: Scott Osiecki, CEO of The ADAMHS Board, Lieutenant Colonel Barnauskas of the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Program, Rose DeRoia, Waverly Willis, and Ashley Rosser. We also greatly appreciate Senator Sherrod Brown for sending in a video message of support.

Additionally, we were honored to welcome the DEA Family Summit to join us this year, with speakers including GS Quinn Auten of the DEA, Thomas Gilson, MD, Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, Adrienne Sautter and Andrea Thomas of Facing Fentanyl, and Brooklyn native Michael Fiore.

As dusk set in, the event closed with a powerful moment as Project Noelle's candlelit walk, led by children who lost a parent to overdose, touched the hearts of everyone present.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful event. Your presence and support continue to make a profound impact on our community as we work together to build understanding, compassion, and hope.

In Loving Memory. We Will Never Forget.

Please continue to upload photos of your loved ones throughout the year.

Waves of Awareness Photo Gallery

Media Coverage

  • Kelli L. Wall, Event Chair, Stella Maris

    Latoya Hunter-Hayes, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County

    Waverly Willis, America’s Favorite Barber

    Ryan Puente, City of Cleveland

    Rick Grospitch, Cleveland Public Square

    Hanna Gall, Downtown Cleveland

    Jenn Lasky, Edna House for Women

    Pawley Bornstein, Glenbeigh

    Sargeant Robert Cummings, Greater Cleveland Transit Authority

    Rhonda Brisky, Greater Cleveland Transit Authority

    Karl Jefferson, LIUNA – Laborer’s Int’l Union of North America

    Jinx Mastney, Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County

    Joan Papp, MD, MetroHealth

    Larry Heller, Northern Ohio Recovery Association

    Beth Billi, Ohio LECET/Ohio Laborer’s District Council

    Sam Siverling, Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Program

    Keli Clark, Project Noelle

    Sara Szelagowski, Project White Butterfly

    Mathew and Melinda Gamez, The MILES Group

    Shaunna Jacobs, Stella Maris

    Joe Varanese, Stella Maris

    Jodi Mitchell, The Center for Health Affairs

    Ashley Rosser, Thrive for Change

    Montana Banner, Thrive Peer Recovery Services

    Dr. Kiran Faryar, University Hospital Project Dawn

    Jen Horn, University Hospital Project Dawn

 

We believe recovery is for everyone