A new mobile unit, the first of its kind in Nassau County, NY, provides residents with opioid or heroin dependence and limited transportation or health insurance, the option to a new mobile recovery unit, providing specialized services.
Welcoming the new mobile was Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Shliach in Mineola, NY.
“We are pleased to welcome this mobile unit, the first of its kind in the area, and to add our support to the CN Guidance & Counseling Services of Hicksville,” said Rabbi Perl. “We are grateful and supportive of this very ambitious effort to reach out to the community, to those who fall between the cracks,” he added.
This RV became a Mitzvah Mobile, as the onboard outreach coordinator, Edmund Hakimi, welcomed the opportunity to put on Tefillin. The rabbi also shared with him that POT, LSD and DWI (all sadly generally associated with substance abuse struggles) can become positive forces for good. POT stands for Put-On-Tefillin, LSD stands for Lets-Start-Davening and DWI means Davening-With- Inspiration.
“We all had a great laugh over the rabbi’s interpretations, but truth be told, we were honored to be invited to Chabad and have the rabbi see first-hand this new substance abuse Help Mobile,” said Linda Alagna, the onboard Community Outreach Specialist.
Jeffrey Friedman, the chief executive of CN Guidance & Counseling Services, the sponsor of this special RV, explained, “Now, we will be out in the community; on the streets, able to access services immediately. This is a real game-changer…It’s a needed service, and it will saves lives. While the RV will make regular visits to shelters, soup kitchens and outside emergency rooms, appointments can also be made for the vehicle to visit private homes.”
The RV is equipped with three private treatment rooms is staffed by a registered nurse, case worker and two clinicians who will use on board video monitors to connect patients directly with doctors.
Hatzlacha Rabba