Addiction is a disease that truly impacts the whole family. Everyone affected by addiction needs support, care, and healing. With the leadership of Anna Murphy, CARITAS will be amplifying our work to connect families to education, support, and resources to cope with a loved one’s substance use.

“It all started with the Family Education Program and now we’re hoping to do so much more,” she says. “I’m really passionate about this because I grew up in an addicted family system, and I know a little support can go a long way. With the right tools and support, healing is possible.”

Anna first became part of the CARITAS family as a volunteer in the Furniture Bank. 

“I helped the Furniture Bank clients shop, which was so rewarding”  she says. “I was working nights and I wanted something meaningful to do during the day.”

That volunteer opportunity led Anna to apply for an Americorps service position as the Volunteer Coordinator.

“I like to serve and I really believe everyone deserves to have their needs met,” she says. “I felt like CARITAS did that in a holistic, sustainable way, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Eventually, Anna took a hiatus and traveled the world for an 11-month mission trip serving with organizations in 11 different countries building schools, teaching English, and expanding her understanding and perspective of the world, she says. 

“Going on that trip awakened my desire to care for the spiritual health and emotional health of people,” she says. “Physical health is important, but those are just as vital.”

Upon her return, she went back to school for substance abuse and addiction counseling. Her journey led her back to CARITAS with the opening of The Healing Place for Women.

“I deeply believe in the CARITAS mission to restore dignity,” she says. “Everybody deserves to feel valued and empowered.”

Specifically, Anna was excited to work with parents in recovery or impacted by their child’s substance use. She will work personally with family members who have loved ones in The Healing Place to provide helpful reading materials, host weekly Family Education Program meetings, and more. For participants, Anna will help parents prepare to be parents again, including leveraging the Family Visitation Suite. The family visitation suite is designed to reunite mothers with their children in safe, fun, and meaningful ways.This time together allows families to rebuild trust and strengthen attachment while supporting the parent-child bond in healthy and positive ways.

“I’m really excited about providing opportunities for moms and dads to engage with their kids,” she says. “Parents need to be encouraged and supported as they focus on their own development.”

Learn more about our Family Resource Program.