LA PLATA, Md. – The Jude House, a Bel Alton non-profit dedicated to helping individuals heal and reintegrate into life after battling addiction, has announced an event called “Laugh Out Loud with Mark Lundholm.” The fundraiser will be held on Nov. 2, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church and School, located at 1200 Charles St., La Plata, MD.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Early bird tickets are available for $75 for a limited time. The event features Mr Lundholm, author of “Shortcuts; Better Ways to Better Days,” who will bring the healing power of laughter to an issue that affects many—recovery from substance abuse and related behaviors.
This event is just the beginning of what’s happening at The Jude House. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the need for addiction treatment has surged. According to NIH data, there has been a 23% increase in alcohol abuse and a 16% increase in drug abuse among previous users since the pandemic’s onset. People in self-isolation reported a 26% higher consumption than they normally would to cope.
These numbers highlight the intense damage done to the most vulnerable, who often lack resources or experience long-term employment disruptions. “There is not a single person who hasn’t been affected by this issue in their family or friends circle—I firmly believe that,” said Susie Thompson, Executive Director of The Jude House.
Thompson, who became Executive Director in late 2021, has brought a new vision to the 52-year-old non-profit. “Over the last three years, we’ve become a recovery community organization. Everyone thinks of The Jude House as inpatient treatment, but we’re much more than that,” said Thompson. The administrative offices at 9400 Irving Road, Bel Alton, are close to their facility at 9505 Crain Highway, the site of the historically significant Bel Alton High School, where they operate patient treatment facilities.
A tour of both locations reveals the changes Director Thompson speaks of. Each staff member is engaged in providing above-and-beyond services to their patients, aiming to ensure the person in recovery is supported beyond getting sober. “Our biggest mission, now that we’re a six to nine-month program, is to provide wrap-around services to assist re-entry into society,” said Thompson.
Examples include CDL training, solar panel installation certification, culinary training, interview skills, GED programs, spiritual counseling, art and creative writing programs, and various other resources to support those dedicated to turning their lives around.
Partnerships with other organizations, such as Melwood, contribute to these resources, offering programs like the Family Integration Retreat. “We take a whole weekend, and patients invite up to four family members. We have hands-on activities and discussions that need to happen, like what is addiction, what is codependency, and the difference between supporting versus enabling,” said Thompson.
The entire staff at The Jude House is enthusiastic about this expanded approach. They aggressively pursue grants to fund re-entry and training programs, supplementing Medicaid payments for rehabilitation treatments. Many staff members are former patients, returning to help those still struggling.
Case Managers assist patients returning to solo living, ensuring they have a plan and support for the transition. “The resources the patients are provided ensure they have the least amount of barriers going back into society. We want to do this for them,” said Dana Brown, who supervises the cases. “I won’t send anyone to a program that I didn’t see,” added Brown.
Erica Jones, Outreach and Alumni Coordinator, emphasized the importance of Thompson’s passion. “Without that passion, a non-profit can turn into a lot of bickering and conflicting goals. Her leadership keeps us focused on serving the patients and their recovery,” said Jones. The impressive garden planted and maintained by patients and the reflective tree on campus, which inspired The Jude House logo, symbolize the organization’s mission, “From the darkness of addiction to the light of recovery.”
Thompson’s dedication is evident. A program manager in 2019, she left the non-profit, earned a Master’s Degree from Salisbury University, and returned in 2021 to lead The Jude House with her ambitious goals. “We want the community to understand that the people we treat are real people—someone’s father, mother, son, or daughter. These individuals often face stigma, having been incarcerated or coming from drug court. We want to support their re-entry into society and make it successful,” said Thompson. Her nearly three-year leadership at The Jude House enjoys the wholehearted support of staff members who greeted us during the facility tour.
The fundraising activities, such as the Mark Lundholm comedy event on Nov. 2, aim to raise money for constructing a new building at 9400 Irving Road, Bel Alton, to expand re-entry support services. The project faces delays due to stormwater management concerns slowing county approval.
The Jude House’s website invites the community to join as volunteers, guest speakers, workshop leaders, and faith-based groups offering support. Information on their event facilities, upcoming events, and a newsletter detailing ongoing stories of healing and inspiration is available. The Jude House encourages citizens, business leaders, local officials, and other interested parties to tour their operations and join the effort to combat addiction in the community.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
