News from the Noteworthy from LEAF
A Thank You and Healthy Wishes for the New Year
There are very few occasions that compel us to stop and ponder our place in this world. Those moments are often things like the birth of a baby, the loss of a loved one, a defining achievement, a sought-after milestone and, for me, a retirement.
I have been a part of this community since August of 1992 when the Student Affairs Department of Hartwick College was brave enough to take a chance on me; fresh out of grad school and a whopping four months sober. I was anything but proven and still had so much to learn, but they made the offer and I took it! I have them to thank for bringing me here, to do exactly what I was meant to do. Otsego County became my home.
Otsego County is a wonderful place; full of hope and potential along with truly amazing people who want to make our little rural home a great place to live. My time at LEAF has been defined by working side by side with hundreds of people over the years who want to do just that. Thinking back through all of the fantastic people that crossed my path is excellent exercise for keeping me humble. None of this work we do is solo work. It is all about the team. It is all about the people who are willing to walk shoulder to shoulder down sometimes difficult paths. Otsego County is rich indeed. Thank you, all of you.
LEAF’s mission continues to be prevention of harms associated with substance use and addiction. In our wildest dreams we would love to work ourselves out of job so that no one is ever harmed by substance use again. We have a long way to go, but we’re okay with that. Preventionists are energetically optimistic by nature. We have to be optimists in order to even attempt to change the systems and norms that tend to keep people sick. As daunting as that hill can be to climb, we have faith in getting there.
As for me, after 32 years of living and working in this community, it is time for a new adventure. Who knows what God has in store for me and my husband as we retire to warmer places to be near family. I learned an unexpected life lesson from LEAF’s previous director, Betty Currier. After her tenure at LEAF, she always said, “I’m not retired, I’m rewired.” She has lived that motto with gusto! I am definitely going to borrow that from her.
For those of you I have worked with over the years in healthcare, law enforcement, local government, state government, nonprofits, coalitions, media, businesses, education, and the arts: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The work of supporting healthy communities is not easy work, but it is certainly good work. And it has been very good working with you. Be assured, LEAF stands ready to continue this work with a bright, enthusiastic staff of young professionals who are true believers in prevention, and an amazing Board of Directors supporting their efforts.
If you’re ever in Alabama, look me up. I’ll be beside a lake somewhere near the Talladega National Forest with an extra fishing pole or kayak to share. A happy and healthy holiday to you all. And may God bless each of you in whatever your journey holds.
Julie Dostal is the outgoing executive director of LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions.