Gary Silverman - the Face Behind the Fund

In 1984 a young man named Gary Silverman, while in Impact for treatment, wrote this letter to his parents Joe & Harlean:

Dear Mom & Dad,

I am learning every aspect of not only working in the kitchen, but working with other drug addicts from every walk of life, there really is a very accurate cross-section of society here. I feel comfortable here and truly have hope and strength and when I can't find it in myself, there are always people at my side to lend their hopes and strengths and support...these people are all here for the same reason, so that no one is really that different from the other, and in that way I feel part of the house and the miracle that goes on here every day...

Gary stayed on at Impact after treatment to become a caseworker, however, shortly before he would celebrate his second year clean from drugs, Gary passed away. His father was with him in the hospital just before he died. He was talking about what Impact meant to him, how it had given him the strength to stay clean and told him that the last two years of his life had been the best he could remember since he had been twelve years old. Gary asked that his parents keep a watchful eye over Impact and do what they could for us.

Joe Silverman, Gary's father, came onto the Impact Board and served faithfully for twenty two years. For the past two years he has been on the Associate Board and is a treasured advisor to Impact's Director, Jim Stillwell, most especially on the subject of financial matters. His contributions to Impact have been immeasurable and we are grateful to him for his supportive dedication to our mission.

Gary's beautiful (inside and out) mother Harlean, has been our support, right alongside Joe for all these years. What we share is a mutual love and gratitude for a program that brought so much joy and peace to Gary and so many addicts who are seeking relief from this viscious disease.

The Silverman's established a fund - The Gary Silverman Fund - which over the years has helped countless men and women get their lives jumpstarted. Whatever the need, this fund has been able to help out. Whether it's clothes for work, or teeth or glasses, possibly an emergency at home or car insurance to get to a first job - you name it - a no-interest loan or a gift from the Silverman Fund has gotten many men and women who are just beginning a new, clean life, what they need to get out there.

This fund is sustained by donations from the Silverman family and individual donors. Like you. If you want to participate, go back to our website and make a PayPal contribution, or call and ask for me (Arlene) and I will help you.

If you have seen photos of our facility, or if you've been here, you've seen the beautiful fountain up on the Eastern half of the residential facility. This was built by the Silverman Family and dedicated to Gary. When I lived upstairs (we called this section Beverly Hills), I could lie in bed at night and listen to the beautiful sound of this fountain.

Over the past 40 years Impact has been fortunate to have had men and women like the Silvermans who are as committed to helping our clients as we are, and we are very grateful for that. This partnership and others like this allows us to continue to bring the best possible treatment to the desperate men and women who come to us seeking relief for this tragic disease.