Jewish Family Service Presents William Cope Moyers’ “A Personal Account of Recovery”

April 21, 2016

Addiction crosses all socioeconomic strata, from the affluent and career professionals to the unemployed and homeless; it does not discriminate. To shed light on the issue and in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s (JFS) annual luncheon will feature keynote speaker William Cope Moyers – son of veteran broadcaster and former White House Press Secretary Bill Moyers and vice president of public affairs and community relations at Hazelden Betty Ford – discussing his personal struggles with addiction and his journey in overcoming the disease.

On May 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla (3777 La Jolla Village Dr.), Moyers will share how his life of privilege with a bright career became one of powerless addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine. It would have ended his life if his family had not intervened. Moyers shared his gritty true-life accounts of substance use and recovery in his best-selling memoir, “Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption,” and continued his dedication to break down the walls of denial that surround addicts with “Now What? An Insider’s Guide to Addiction and Recovery.”

His personal story of successful recovery stuns, inspires, and shines a bright light on how addiction is a powerful illness and recovery is a lifelong pursuit – one that requires the whole family and community to recover together.

The luncheon supports JFS’s goal to remove the stigma of mental illness and provide beneficial services and educational events to the community.

“Nearly everyone can relate to addiction, whether personally (self or loved one), or through relationships with friends and colleagues,” said Event Chair Mimi Lee. “The audience will have the opportunity to hear William’s raw and real personal account, fraught with daily struggles to remain sober – and eventually leading to recovery and empowerment.”

In his role at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Moyers leads the organization’s policy and advocacy activities, and has appeared on “Larry King Live,” “Good Morning America” and “Oprah.”

Tickets for the event are $50 per person before May 9, and $60 per person thereafter.

JFS would like to thank event underwriters Caryl Lees Witte of Century 21 and Barbara Barsky, and event sponsors Comfort Keepers; Fidelity National Title; Steve Gray – Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Consultant;  Hope Village; Ed & Linda Janon; David & Debra Kramer; Jim & Mimi Lee; Gary & Cheryl Levitt; Jenny Meiselman; Hannah Moss; National Closing & Escrow; Ratner & Pinchman, APLC, an estate planning and elder law firm; Scan Health Plan; Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital; Lee & Fern Siegel; as well as one anonymous donor.

Contact:
Sandy Young / Ashley Weaver
J. Walcher Communications, (619) 295-7140