"Loss Shattered Me Into A Million Pieces": Recovery Event Planned

GREENPORT, NY — Ten years ago, Stephanie Durso of the Family Service League lost her fiance to a heroin overdose. And even though a decade has passed, the loss has echoed forever in the days since.

"It was the worst, darkest time of my life. That loss shattered me into a million pieces," Durso said.

Her fiance, just 28 at the time of his death, had struggled with addiction for about 10 years, she said.

And yet, the most painful of moments has led to her commitment to working toward helping others.

"You don’t realize it at the time, but being so broken allowed me to rebuild each piece of myself," she said. "That set me on my journey to becoming a social worker."

She, along with others, will convene Wednesday night to an event meant to create impactful change. The North Fork Parish Outreach and Food Pantry is presenting "Reconnect & Recover," from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Agnes School building, located at 523 Front Street in Greenport.

The event, organizers agreed, is much-needed after the long days of the pandemic led to a sense of isolation and a dramatic uptick in overdoses.

The event will include speakers including Durso, who will discuss mental health and substance use treatment; Kym Laube, executive director of HUGS, Inc., who will talk about prevention and current youth trends; Linda Nuszen, of "Look Up for Adam", who will, as a mother who lost her son to an overdose, speak about her journey; and Justine Brisco of Seafield Services, who will shine a light on hope, with a focus on recovery.

"COVID-19 has brought many challenges and we are all impacted," organizers said. "Let's come together for this free community event, designed to help us connect, learn the toll on mental illness and addiction, and share local resources. It's time to heal — and what better way to do that than together!"

Added Durso: "I think each of us has in some way been affected by mental health or substance use issues. It’s important that we don’t shy away from these topics, but shine a light on them, allowing people to know that there is help out there. This event's goal is to let the community know that we are here for them. COVID was very isolating and we should all reconnect — so we can recover."