November 1 Issue - Newspaper - Page 11
Page 11
Serenity Farms
Providing senior housing initiatives
while fighting the opioid crisis
Serenity Farms is a vital
nonprofit organization in
Washington County,
passionately dedicated to
enhancing the well-being
and independence of
seniors through
innovative housing
initiatives and holistic
human services. In
addition to their
commitment to senior
care, they actively tackle
the pressing local opioid
crisis, providing
invaluable support for
addiction recovery among
older adults.
Landmark Building
A remarkable transformation for both the
building and the lives it impacts.
EDITION 10
With a vision of creating
safe, comfortable, and
inclusive living
environments, Serenity
Farms offers
transformative housing
solutions designed to
cater to the unique needs
of seniors. Their
initiatives emphasize
affordability and
accessibility while
fostering a strong sense
of community and
companionship among
residents, enriching their
lives and building lasting
connections.
Moreover, Serenity
Farms plays a pivotal role
in combating the fentanyl
and opioid crisis in the
community. They provide
compassionate support,
expert guidance, and
essential resources for
seniors and families
grappling with the
challenges of addiction.
One surprising casualty
of the opioid crisis is
older adults. From 1999
through 2019, 79,893
Americans age 55 and
older died due to an
opioid overdose,
according to a new
21-year study published
in JAMA Network Open.
In 2019 alone,
approximately 10,300
people age 55 and older
died from opioid
overdoses, compared to
just over 500 in 1999.
And ER visits for opioid
misuse increased by
nearly 220 percent from
2006 to 2014 for people
65 and older, researchers
reported in a 2019 issue
of Innovation in Aging.
According to the National
Institute of Health, with
an estimated 5.7 million
May 13 2025
older adults in the United
States requiring addiction
treatment in 2020, the
number of older adults
with substance use
disorders is expected to
continue to rise over the
next decade. Risk factors
for problematic opioid
use in this population
include pain, comorbid
medical illnesses,
concurrent alcohol use
disorder, and depression.
"These statistics
underscore the critical
role organizations like
Serenity Farms, Inc. play
in our community. By
offering targeted recovery
programs for seniors,
they address a
demographic often
underdiagnosed and
underserved," said Matt
Uram, Executive Director
of Serenity Farms, Inc.
Through comprehensive
prevention, accessible
treatment, and
meaningful community
engagement, Serenity
Farms is dedicated to
mitigating the effects of
the opioid crisis,
promoting recovery, and
inspiring long-term
wellness among seniors.
Together, they are
building a brighter and
healthier future for our
older adults.
"Investing in these
services not only supports
recovery but also
improves the overall
well-being of our aging
population. Let's
champion and support
nonprofits like Serenity
Farms, Inc., which are
dedicated to making a
lasting impact on the
lives of seniors," Uram
added.
"The Landmark Building located in Downtown Washington”
The Landmark Building, gracefully situated on East Maiden Street in downtown
Washington, stands as a striking testament to early 20th-century architecture. Once
the proud home of the Greyhound Bus Station—before it found a new residence on
Beau Street—this remarkable structure has since been transformed into modern
commercial office space.
Upon its original construction, the Landmark Building boasted expansive
industrial-sized window openings, allowing natural light to flood its interiors. Over
the years, however, renovations have altered its façade, with many of these grand
openings being reduced in size or bricked up. In a notable update in 1973, exquisite
faux-Greek-style wood cladding was added to the front, enhancing its charm and
lending a touch of classical elegance to this historic gem.
The Landmark Building has experienced a remarkable transformation through its
recent interior and exterior renovations, culminating in a stunningly restored façade.
One noticeable enhancement was reintroducing the backlit Greyhound logo, which
updates the previous Greyhound Bus Station signage. This change lends a modern
twist while honoring the building's earlier history. This revitalization not only
breathes new life into the historic structure but also plays a vital role in Washington's
ambitious mission to invigorate its downtown.
"Our building has proudly housed the Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services
(SPHS) Care Center Behavioral Health Center as an anchor tenant for many years.
They provide a remarkable continuum of quality, recovery-based, trauma-informed,
and integrated services. These encompass education, intervention, case management,
treatment, aftercare, and referrals for individuals and families. With 45 years of
dedicated experience, they have transformed the lives of countless individuals who
have sought help within our walls," said Matt Uram, Building Manager.
Today, the Landmark Building serves as a vibrant hub for a diverse array of
organizations dedicated to enhancing community well-being. Among the other
occupants are the SPHS Center of Excellence, SPHS STARRS Program, SPHS
Assertive Community Treatment Team, Harmony Life Center Recovery Community
Organization, Serenity Farms Inc., Genoa Pharmacy, SWPA Area Agency on Aging
SCSEP Title V Office, and the Pathstones program.
"Our vision is to establish a facility that provides wrap-around services for
treatment and recovery, ultimately enhancing the well-being of our community,"
Uram expressed enthusiastically.
THE WEEKLY
RECORDER
PENN WEST
SOLUTIONS LLC.
DBA
Penn West Media
Email:
news@theweeklyrecorder.info
Phone:
724.249.6110
PO Box 123
Srabane,
PA 15363
