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Washington treatment center plays vital role in the recovery of artist, others
dbachman@observer-reporter.com
From the moment she got her first taste of alcohol at age 13, Kate Bazis became an addict, eventually progressing to marijuana, heroin and crack.
Throw in an eating disorder, and the straight-A student from Philadelphia will tell you she was a mess.
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"I think people have a choice as long as they have the coping skills. I chose to try heroin knowing the dangers. I was seeking pain relief."
Bazis did get clean on her own, but her sobriety was short-lived. She was six months' pregnant when she relapsed and discovered she had hepatitis C.
She continued to seek help through various programs and rehabilitation centers. At one point, she found herself homeless, and at age 31, she spent six weeks in a nursing home recovering from a heart infection.
It wasn't until Bazis moved to Turning Point in Washington, a residential treatment program for women battling substance and gambling addictions, that she received the support and help she needed.
In 2005, she graduated from the program, and today, the 35-year-old is a career counselor, an accomplished artist best known in the Pittsburgh art community, and she teaches art at Washington Community Arts and Cultural Center in exchange for studio time.
To show her gratitude to Turning Point, Bazis has donated several of her paintings for an auction that will be held during the organization's 15th anniversary dinner celebration Nov. 10 at North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department social hall.
"I continue to work toward healing," Bazis said. "It takes a lot of effort to get under control. I was fighting tooth and nail to stay here. I did everything they told me to do."
A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Bazis said her work reflects what she is experiencing at the time, and right now, her work reflects the empowerment she has gained through her recovery journey.
"I'm really honored to be able to do work and illustrate my recovery and art," she said.
Turning Point was founded in 1991 by Pat Lutz with "eight beds and an idea" at 199 N. Main St.
Fifteen years later, the organization serves as an anchor in the neighborhood. It owns five properties, including Turning Point II, an outpatient program for men, women and children; has 24 beds for women, and is one of only 24 established halfway houses in Pennsylvania. More than 750 women have gained some level of continued sobriety through its residential treatment program.
"Through the grace of God, we've been pretty successful," Lutz said. "It seemed to me that the more they go through rehab, the longer they'll stay in a treatment facility with better results."
Residents remain at Turning Point on a voluntary basis. Some stay a day or two, not even bothering to unpack their bags. Others who are committed to working on their recovery stay for months. Bazis, for example, lived at Turning Point for seven months before she was approved for housing through Connect Inc., a transitional, supportive and subsidized housing program operated by Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services.
"For some, they take small, baby steps; some take giant leaps," Lutz said. "It's really all about becoming a voting member of society and contributing to the community."
Turning Point's residents come from all walks of life, and all types of therapy, life-skills classes and elective educational courses are made available to them. Many women take the opportunity to earn their GEDs or college degrees.
"Everybody gets what they need here," said Mary Beth Joseph, a member of Turning Point's board of directors. "It's customized and there for the taking.
"Pat is passionate about it, and they need somebody like her. A lot of these women haven't had a background with life skills or practical skills."
During the first phase of the program, Lutz said residents are busy from sunup to sundown as they attend their 12-step program. When they graduate to the second phase, they accept more responsibility and are required to volunteer at charitable organizations throughout the county. After that, they move to transitional living.
"We suggest what they should do from the beginning," Lutz said, "but the work is done by the clients. Women need to be empowered."
Turning Point in Washington will hold its 15th anniversary dinner celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department social hall. The evening will feature an art auction, a buffet dinner and entertainment by Big Jim & the Twins and disc jockey Pete Povich. Attire is casual. Tickets are $30 per person or $25 per person for groups of 10 or more. For reservations, call Jill or Ann at 724-228-2203, or e-mail jntp2@verizon.net.
