Advocacy

As families who have been ripped apart by opioids, our mission is to use our united voices in a call for immediate, comprehensive and sustained federal action to end the opioid epidemic. We have lost loved ones to death by a substance related cause, and/or have experienced loss of connection due to addiction. We are advocates who understand that the root cause of the problem is the overprescribing of opioids. We are part of a national grassroots coalition seeking action from the federal government to bring this public health crisis to an end. We have come together to save lives.

Our mission is to use our united voices in a call for immediate, comprehensive and sustained federal action to end the opioid epidemic. The Lehigh Valley Fed Up Rally is organized by Voices for Change in partnership with Speak Up for Ben, Inc.

As part of our program, we hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance of our lost loved ones at the conclusion of the rally. A slideshow featuring  photographs of members of our community who lost their lives in the opioid epidemic is a sober reminder that we will never forget. To have your loved one included, please contact Linda Johnson at voicesforchange@yahoo.com.

Special thanks to ArtsQuest for sponsorship of the Levitt Pavilion event space.

 The Angels of the Valley Banner Project aims to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and reduce the stigma associated with people who have lost their lives due to substance-related causes. This project also recognizes the grief felt by families, friends, and our community for those who have lost a loved one as a result of substance use. The banners signify the passing of someone cherished and send a message that the tragedy of substance-related death is preventable, and those who are suffering should feel no shame in asking for help.  Banners are displayed at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks campus in south Bethlehem, from August 31 (international overdose awareness day) through September (National Recovery month).   

New submissions accepted annually only in the month of July by ArtsQuest. Download the flyer on the home page or visit the OASIS Community Center site for complete details.

 Contact us (info@oasisbethlehem.org) if you would like a notification email sent to you when the submission portal is opened each July.

Theresa Clower, a bereaved mom and artist, founded the nonprofit Into Light with the mission of erasing the stigma of substance abuse disorder. Into Light pairs sketch portraits and narratives of people that have lost their lives to substance use disorder. The exhibit lets viewers see the beauty, humanity, and complexity of each individual life. According to Clower, the drawings are “all made up of light and dark — we all are. No one should be defined by that darkest moment.”  

The Pennsylvania exhibit was held in March 2021 with additional exhibits planned for each of the 50 states. 

The Pennsylvania exhibit included sketches from two of our OASIS families... Ben Miller (son of Rhonda & Jerry Miller) and Chris Deckman (son of Brenda & Doug Deckman). You can view the exhibition video which provides a virtual tour of the sketches and narratives of the individuals featured in the Pennsylvania exhibit. 

Ben’s Friends attend our first Lehigh Valley Fed Up Rally (one month after losing Ben) August 31, 2016