'Live Love' speaker series to focus on the opioid crisis Jan. 20
On Sunday, Jan. 20, the Live Love Speaker Series, hosted by First Congregational Church of Elgin, will feature the Rev. Kirsten Peachey on "The Opioid Crisis and How to Be Helpful in Elgin." It will be 7 to 8 p.m. at the church, 256 E. Chicago St.
Peachey will discuss how traumatic events in a person's life increase the possibility of developing an active opioid addiction.
She is the director of Faith and Health Partnerships for Advocate Aurora Health and helps faith communities support their role as promoters of health and healing.
Each month, the church will host an educational opportunity regarding different aspects of the opioid crisis. They will be focusing on opportunities to collaborate with local substance abuse programs; the local police department; individuals sharing their personal stories of recovery; as well as special tasks force and a nationally recognized speaker.
On Feb. 24, Stephen Kovalkovich, host of Rescue the Rescuer and CEO of Rescue Consulting, will speak. He is a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of opioid addiction. Stephen is trained as a paramedic and a first responder. His most memorable work was at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. After 15 years as a parademic, he himself fell into drug addiction. As a result he lost his certification, career, marriage and children. Eventually, he was able to overcome his addiction and started working toward healing in a recovery program. He speaks passionately about his own addiction and recovery in the belief that sharing his story might give others hope that they can also recover.
More information can be found on the church's Facebook page or website at www.fcc-elgin.org, or by calling the church at (847) 741-4045.
The church is accessible to people with disabilities.