Farm News

Hours old

2008-07-16T19:32:00.002-04:00

From Rick, our Farm Manager:

New arrivals and I mean new. Born last night 11 babies no pig watch, just nature.

enjoy the pics.

Dawn Farm at the Westside Farmers' Market

2008-07-14T10:12:00.004-04:00

Last week we were welcomed to the Westside Farmers' Market on Ann Arbor's west side to share information about Dawn Farm with interested shoppers and sellers. We had a great time, distributed lots of Farm information, and made new friends - including Pot & Box, who posted a great blog about the Market experience.

The Westside Farmers' Market invites different community organizations throughout the season, and is located in the parking lot of Zingerman's Roadhouse on Thursday afternoons from 3-7pm.

McKinley + Dawn Farm = safe, sober housing

2008-06-21T19:37:00.003-04:00

Last November we filled you in on an exciting partnership with McKinley. For more than 6 months we've been quietly housing 30 formerly homeless addicts and alcoholics with the help of our friends at McKinley. They're getting jobs, paying rent and doing community service.

This program has been so successful that we almost immediately started looking for opportunities to expand this partnership. This month we're starting our second community of recovery in McKinley's Park Place Apartments, bringing us up to 128 beds of transitional housing. We're starting small at Park Place and we plan to grow as more adjacent units become available. We'll keep you posted.

Barn Sale

2008-06-19T14:02:00.000-04:00

Join us for the DAWN FARM SUMMER BARN SALE this Saturday, June 21st, from 9am until 4pm. Visit our farm animals while you are here!

We have household items, furniture, knick-knacks, kitchen items, and MUCH, MUCH MORE! We also have FARM FRESH EGGS, while supplies last!

All proceeds benefit the Farm! Tell your friends and family!

The Green Farm Project

2008-06-10T14:31:00.002-04:00

You could make the case that Dawn Farm has been earth-friendly for all of our 35 years. We are a farm, after all. Recently, we've made a decision to become the greenest treatment center in the world. We're taking it one day at a time and one step at a time, doing what we can, when we can. It just seemed like the next right thing to do.

We've created a page on our website where you can learn a little more about some of the steps we're taking.

Dawn Farm on Michigan Innovators

2008-06-03T17:40:00.002-04:00

Dawn Farm has been twice blessed byt Google and EMU.

Google very generously has donated a Google AdWords account and a monthly allowance. The task of creating adds and optimizing them was daunting. Fortunately, we were asked to participate in a pilot program with Google and EMU in which we were linked with EMU students who took control of our AdWords account and got us up and running. They did a GREAT job, far exceeding my expectations.

One of our students (Marcell Morris) has an interview and a couple of blog posts on Michigan Innovators. Michigan Innovators challenges the notion that Michigan's economy is dead by telling Michigan's business innovation story through interviews with dozens of business owners.

If you're into that kind of thing, it's well worth your time. Check it out!

Youth Day of Caring

2008-05-18T12:08:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we had a group of teens working elbow to elbow with Dawn Farm residents and staff. They did a great job cleaning up our landscaping. They worked hard and we are grateful! Their efforts were part of the United Way Youth Day of Caring. THANK YOU!

Farm fresh pork, chicken, turkey & beef

2008-04-15T10:58:00.003-04:00

Pork is now available, whole, half and per pound. If you are interested in purchasing pork please contact Rick ASAP. We dropped three hogs off for processing today and there is still time to have it cut yourway. We do have one more hog ready to go now, after this one, there will not be another until October. We're taking non refundable deposits now for hogs ready in October $50 half.

If you are interested only in certain items e-mail Rick a list and he will quote you a per pound price.

We have frozen and available smoked bacon, sausage, loin roast, porkchops, pork steaks, smoked ham steaks, smoked picnic hams, smoked hams and smoked hocks. (Feet will be available in 2 weeks.)

We are also taking orders for fresh broiler hens, they are $6.00 each and will be ready July 1st, just in time for the 4th of July weekend.

A second batch of broilers will be available first week of September.

Be one of the first on the list for your fresh Thanksgiving day turkey, they'll be ready for pick up on Monday, November 24th. Call now 734 485-8725

Beef will be ready in the late fall. If you're interested please let Rick know, there will be limited availability. Reserve yours now, whole or half, no quarters.

As always fresh eggs are available 2.00 doz.

The Russians were here!

2008-04-08T08:48:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure of training a delegation of Russian social workers visiting Eastern Michigan University. It was a a wonderful opportunity to share our message that recovery is possible and that hope is an essential ingredient when helping addicts and alcoholics.

Google + EMU = Good news for Dawn Farm

2008-04-05T20:52:00.002-04:00

Dawn Farm has been lucky enough to receive some exciting help from Google and the EMU School of Business.

Google awarded Dawn Farm a Google Grant for Google AdWords and asked us if we'd be willing to participate in a pilot project with EMU's School of Business. A group of students have been learning about AdWords by managing our account. They've done a terrific job -- our web traffic is up by 60%!

You can read more about it here.

Scholarships help students overcoming drugs, addiction

2008-04-02T08:28:00.003-04:00

The Livonia Observer recently ran an article on a local family foundation that is offering academic scholarships to young recovering people with ties to Livonia and supporting the treatment of a young indigent client at Dawn Farm.

Students on the road to recovery can get help paying for college through Brian's Foundation.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to applicants from a Livonia school who have completed at least one year of continuous recovery from alcohol or substance abuse or addictions.
The foundation is named for Brian Montes, who died of an accidental heroin/fentanyl overdose in June 2006 at the age of 22. He was a Livonia Public Schools graduate and student at Michigan State University studying to be an English teacher.
His family started the foundation to educate and raise awareness of the dangers of substance abuse.
"We wanted to help someone who was struggling with the same things that Bri went through," said Scott Montes, Brian's older brother and a student at Wayne State University.
The foundation also gave a treatment scholarship to Dawn Farms, a substance abuse treatment facility in Ann Arbor.
Brian Montes was a poet and musician. He would have been a great English teacher, his brother said. The foundation's goal is to help someone turn his or her life around.
Brian's mother, Diane Montes, who founded the Livonia Save Our Youth Task Force in the months after his death, suggested the scholarships help someone struggling with substance abuse, Scott Montes said. "It seems like it was the right thing to do."
Funding came from a golf outing the family held last August.
Application packets are due June 15. In addition to completing one year of recovery, an applicant must:
Attend or have attended a Livonia high school or be a current resident of Livonia.
Submit a one- to three-page essay describing his/her recovery journey and academic goals and have it signed by a treatment professional.
Get a letter of recommendation from a professional who can attest to successful participation.
Supply proof of acceptance to a two- or four-year college or trade school in Michigan.
To request an application packet by e-mail, contact brisfoundation@yahoo.com.
rrjones@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2054

Another new arrival!

2008-03-28T15:46:00.003-04:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks on the Farm. Chicks and ducklings a couple of weeks ago and a new calf this morning. We're expecting a couple more calves in the coming weeks. We'll keep you posted.

Do the Shuffle!

2008-03-18T12:48:00.002-04:00

We have decided to cancel the 2008 Stony Creek Shuffle. Look for it in 2009. Sorry for any inconvenience.

One more

2008-03-11T20:24:00.001-04:00

One more picture of our new farmers. I couldn't resist.

New Gift Shop Item!

2008-03-11T13:34:00.002-04:00

We now have laundry bags in the gift shop. Get yours today!

Special Delivery!

2008-03-11T10:34:00.001-04:00

We just received 300 chicks and 16 ducklings. Come on out to visit them!

Ed Series Update

2008-02-27T14:12:00.001-05:00

We are sorry that we had to postpone the Intervention workshop by Jeff and Debra Jay that was scheduled for February 19, 2008. We will let everyone know when this program is rescheduled.

Dawn Farm will present the following free Education Series programs in March 2008:

"Addiction and Spirituality" will be presented on March 18, 2008; 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, by Ed Conlin, BSEd, CAC-2; addiction counselor, Jefferson House (and former Team Leader at Detox.) This presentation will explore the core of our spiritual needs, address our own life choices, examine the spirituality of the 12 Steps, and discuss how the 12 Steps can help anyone, whether recovering from chemical dependency or not chemically dependent.

"Grief and Loss in Addiction" will be presented on March 25, 2008; 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, by Janice Firn, LMSW; Clinical Social Worker, University of Michigan Hospital; and Veronica Smith, LMSW; Therapist, Dawn Farm Daybreak Program. This presentation will provide a basic study of how addiction produces grief and loss for the individual and the family, and on recovery from grief and loss.

All Education Series programs are presented in the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center auditorium, 5305 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti. All programs are free and open to all; presentations are intended to have broad appeal and are geared toward a diverse audience. No registration is required. Each workshop is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) to provide 1.5 free CE hours. All staff are invited to attend, and we will be grateful for your help in informing clients, families and others!!

The full Education Series schedule along with details, directions and a flier can be accessed from http://www.dawnfarm.org/edseries.html. You can also contact me by e-mail or by phone at Detox with questions.

The "Teens Using Drugs: What To Know and What To Do" ongoing two-part workshop series will be presented by our friend Ron Harrison on March 4 (part 1, "What To Know") and March 11 (part two, "What To Do.") For information about this series, please see http://www.teensusingdrugs.org. (Please note that MCBAP CE is not provided for this program.)

Thank you,

Matt Statman

Team Leader, Dawn Farm Detox; and Education Series Coordinator

734/669-8265 (at Detox)

mstatman@dawnfarm.org

New arrivals!

2008-02-25T14:54:00.002-05:00

Goodies for your computer

2008-01-10T19:59:00.000-05:00

Our website now has wallpaper for your computer desktop!

Son's death leads mom to reach out

2007-12-28T07:10:00.000-05:00

From the Ann Arbor News:

The call from the principal, a police officer at the door, your child in front of a judge: Most parents dread the shame that comes when their children make serious mistakes.

Barb Smith of Milan has written a book about her late son, Brent Legault, who died two years ago, and the family's attempts to have him stop using drugs and alcohol. She is donating the proceeds from the book to Dawn Farm, a local substance abuse program.

But the shame is nothing compared to the pain of learning that your child is gone.

Barb Smith of Milan watched as her son, Brent Legault, who suffered from alcohol and drug addiction, made many mistakes until the final phone call came on Dec. 4, 2005.
Brent's former girlfriend called from Green Bay, Wis., saying that a snowplow driver had found the 23-year-old dead in his car.

Barb Smith recently published "Brent's World," a memoir of her son's life and his struggles with addiction. She plans to donate proceeds to Dawn Farm, an Ypsilanti-based substance abuse rehabilitation program. Brent went to the agency's detox center briefly but walked out before completing the program.

Brent's death wasn't directly caused by drugs and alcohol, but Smith said his addictions are what caused her bright and artistic son to make the poor decisions that led up to him sleeping in his car in cold, snowy weather.

His death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, due to the damaged exhaust system his car had as the result of a previous accident. Tests showed there were no illegal drugs or alcohol in Brent's blood when he died, Smith said.

Despite his addictions, which made life with Brent chaotic and stressful, the young man had many good qualities, said his mother and stepfather, Tim Smith.

"He could play the piano beautifully. Every day he would come home and play the piano," Tim Smith said. Brent didn't usually play a written music piece - he'd just create a different tune every time he sat down, his stepfather said.

Where to get 'Brent's World'
Barb Smith's book is published by Outskirts Press and available through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Smith will also send the book directly. She can be contacted by e-mail at brentsworld23@yahoo.com.

Smith is charging adults $10 for the book but will only charge teens her cost for the book, which is $5.83. Smith is donating proceeds from the book to Dawn Farm, a local substance abuse rehabilitation program.

How to get help
For help with drug and alcohol addiction, call Dawn Farm. For people who have used a substance within 72 hours, the detox program can be reached at 734-669-8265. For other programs, call 734-485-8725.
Washtenaw County residents also can call 734-544-3050 for a treatment referral.

The young man was also a hard worker, Tim Smith said. Brent worked alongside his stepfather at the Tecumseh auto collision shop that Smith now owns.

And Brent was a loving big brother to Tim Smith's son T.J., who is now 15, he said. Brent and T.J. would listen to music in the basement, sharing the same headset. He was also close to his sister Rachel.

The first sign of drug abuse came when a principal at Scarlett Middle School called, saying that the 13-year-old had been caught trying to buy marijuana.

The next crisis was in 10th grade, when Brent was attending Belleville High School. The only class he passed that year was gym and he also got in trouble with the law. He was placed on a stringent probation that included an intensive outpatient treatment program and regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

For Brent, the threat of jail was effective. He mostly complied with his treatment program, and was able to attend Milan High School and graduate. He even got three scholarships, Tim Smith said.

"For a year and a half, I got my son back," Barb Smith said. But when Brent turned 18, his probation was over and he started using again, his parents said. And now, because he was an adult, it was impossible to compel him into treatment.

He moved to Green Bay to be with his former girlfriend, but they broke up in 2005 after Brent's addiction became too much for the young woman to handle. Soon after their breakup, Brent attempted suicide.

He came back to Michigan and moved in with his parents and the summer that followed was wonderful, his parents said. They did many things they'd always wanted to do with Brent, like going to the Woodward Dream Cruise. But his addiction kicked back in and his use of substances escalated.

Practicing the tough love that many substance abuse specialists recommend, Barb Smith decided that Brent could not remain in the home if he continued to use. She's not sure that giving him the ultimatum was the right choice, because only a week later, Brent was dead. "I would never, ever tell anybody 'You have to kick him out,'" she said.

But Tim Smith said that with Brent smoking marijuana in front of T.J., the family had no choice. The couple, with a strong Christian faith, is grateful for some things despite Brent's death. They are grateful for that last summer together. Sometimes Barb Smith even looks at her son's relatively peaceful death as a blessing.

"Brent didn't have what it took to be in recovery so God took him home. Now he's out of his torment."

Holiday ornaments

2007-12-07T15:38:00.000-05:00

We just got a limited number of these Dawn Farm ornaments in. They are navy or forest green, handmade ceramic, very cute. Only $5.00!

If you want to order, do it fast – we literally have only 100. Get them here.

Get your Dawn Farm gear!

2007-11-23T21:28:00.000-05:00

We started a gift shop earlier this year and recently started taking web orders here.

Holiday Party

2007-11-22T11:18:00.000-05:00

Save the date! The Dawn Farm holiday party is December 14th. More details will be posted soon.

safe...sober...home

2007-11-06T21:19:00.000-05:00

We're please to announce that we just opened more than 30 new beds of transitional housing for homeless drug addicts and alcoholics.

Our friends at McKinley, Inc. offered us the opportunity to expand our successful Chapin Street Project in a recently rehabbed building in their new property Aspen Chase. In addition, the Washtenaw Community Health Organization has agreed to provide support for the project.

Shortly after we learned about this exciting opportunity, we got a call from St. Genevieve Parish in Livonia asking if we could make use furniture and household items from their recently closed convent.

We've spent last week furnishing the apartments, moved our house managers in over the weekend, and moved in our first resident in today.

Thanks to our friends at McKinley, the WCHO and St. Genevieve for helping to provide a safe and sober home for the men and women of the Chapin Street Project.

New Residents!!!

2007-08-13T13:14:00.001-04:00

We have 4 new calves at the Farm. Come visit them at the Jamboree on September 9th!