4D Recovery Newsletter

June 2025

RALLY FOR RECOVERY:

"Finish What We Started"

 Community leaders gather to urge continued legislative action on Oregon’s addiction crisis


On Tuesday, June 3rd, 4D Recovery joined Oregon Recovers and dozens of recovery community leaders in Old Town Portland for a powerful rally in support of continued legislative action to address Oregon’s ongoing addiction crisis.


As the 2025 legislative session approaches its final weeks, advocates, peers, providers, and impacted families stood together to send a unified message to lawmakers: Finish what we started. That means making sustained investments across the full continuum of care—prevention, treatment, recovery housing, and overdose prevention—to meet the scale of the crisis.



Several critical, life-saving programs remain under consideration and are still up for a vote this month:


  • Youth addiction prevention and recovery high schools (HB 2502 & HB 3321)
  • Detox and treatment bed funding (as proposed by Governor Kotek)
  • Overdose prevention through naloxone distribution and public education (Save Lives Oregon)
  • Behavioral health workforce expansion (HB 2024 and Gov. Kotek’s budget)
  • Recovery housing development and support (HB 2239)
  • Improvements to the recovery and treatment system (HB 2506 & HB 2929)


“Youth and families experiencing addiction have few options, and we need continued investments in Oregon, regardless of potential federal cuts.”

-Sara Barger, Director of Public Affairs, 4D Recovery



The call for action is rooted in urgent, sobering data:


  • Oregon ranks 2nd in the nation for untreated addiction, and 50th in access to treatment
  • Nearly 1 in 5 Oregonians age 12 and older has an untreated substance use disorder
  • Oregon ranks 49th in access to youth treatment services
  • A recent study estimates the state needs 3,000 new adult residential mental health beds to meet current demand
  • Excessive alcohol use is Oregon’s third-leading cause of preventable death
  • A gap analysis by OHSU found that Oregon lacks 49% of the infrastructure needed to effectively address the addiction crisis


Working Together for Oregon’s Future


We recognize the difficult decisions facing legislators as they work to balance the state budget. We also want to express our deep appreciation for their commitment to improving behavioral health outcomes in Oregon.


At 4D Recovery, we are committed to being a collaborative partner in these efforts. We believe every dollar invested in prevention, treatment, and recovery—especially for youth—is a step toward healing communities, reducing harm, and saving lives.


The need is urgent. The solutions are in front of us. Together with lawmakers and community partners, we can finish what we started.

4D Recovery Meets with Portland Mayor to Strengthen Behavioral Health & Homelessness Response

Last week, 4D Recovery had the opportunity to meet with Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and members of his administration for a focused conversation on the intersection of behavioral health and homelessness. In just 45 minutes, we were able to cover significant ground, highlighting the urgency of these challenges and the opportunity to build stronger, community-based solutions.


Mayor Wilson shared his clear vision for a healthier, more equitable Portland. His administration has been taking meaningful steps to address the dual crises of housing instability and addiction. One recent initiative includes a pilot program that will add 50 shelter beds at the Bybee Lakes Hope Center—beds specifically designed to support individuals recovering from substance use disorders.


The Mayor’s broader strategy also includes expanding the city’s shelter network by more than 1,500 beds and establishing new day centers across Portland. This is part of his commitment to a “no wrong door” approach, which aims to meet people wherever they are and connect them with the right mix of services—whether that’s housing, mental health care, substance use treatment, or recovery support.


As an organization grounded in peer-led recovery and lived experience, 4D is excited about the opportunity to align with the city’s vision. In the coming months, we look forward to working closely with the Mayor’s team to expand early interventions and improve pathways to behavioral health services—especially for young adults and others at high risk.


"Witnessing the genuine collaboration between the Mayor's office and community organizations like 4D affirmed a powerful truth: when we unite with a shared purpose, we can truly build a better system to support every individual in our community."

-Samai Mendoza, 4D’s Strategic Communications


4D is encouraged by the Mayor’s leadership and by the pace at which his administration is moving to implement solutions. His openness to working with community partners like 4D Recovery speaks volumes about the collaborative path forward.


Together, we can ensure that more Portlanders have the chance to recover, reconnect, and thrive.

Grant Partner Highlight

4D Recovery is honored to be selected as a grant recipient through The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, a powerful student-led giving program.



This year, students from four local high schools chose to support 4D Recovery—including the Schnitzer Cares students of McDaniel High School (Business Launch), Schnitzer Cares students of Catlin Gable School, Schnitzer Cares students of Roosevelt High School (Business Management, Period 1), and Schnitzer Cares students of Grant High School (AVID 10, Period 7).


These young grantmakers spent the school year studying community needs, evaluating nonprofits, and making thoughtful, values-driven funding decisions. Their decision to invest in youth-led, peer-driven recovery shows just how committed the next generation is to mental health, healing, and lasting change.


Thanks to their collective efforts, 4D Recovery received a total of $24,284.92 in grant funding to support our Adolescent & Family Recovery Campus. We’re deeply grateful for their belief in our mission!

Fundraising

Nick Smit Legacy Golf Tournament Time is Running Out, Register Now!

⛳️ Only 12 Teams Left—Register Now!


Join us for 4D Recovery’s Annual Golf Tournament, where fun meets fundraising to support young adult recovery in Clark County, WA!



🏌️‍♀️Spend the day on the green with great food, drinks, a silent auction, and friendly competition, including:


  • Men’s & Women’s Longest Drive
  • Men’s & Women’s Closest to the Pin
  • Hole-in-One Contest (win a car from Gresham Subaru!)
  • Beat the Pro (Closest to the Pin)


🎁 Prizes for all contests + a grand prize foursome at Green Meadows for the tournament champs!



Don’t wait—secure your spot today and swing for a great cause!

Register below!

Ways to Get Involved


There are several great ways to support this year’s event:


Play on a Team

Grab your friends or coworkers for a day of golf, connection, and giving back! Registration include lunch, a cart, snack, contests with prizes, and a shop at winning a car in the hole-in-one challenge.


🏌️‍♂️ Sponsor the Event

Promote your business and support 4D Recovery while playing on a team! Sponsors get prime visibility at the tournament and community recognition.


Sponsor a Hole

Boost your brand visibility by hosting a hole on the course—connect face-to-face with players and get creative with games, giveaways, or displays that make your business stand out.


🎁 Sponsor the Silent Auction

Showcase your brand at one of the tournament's most popular stops! Silent Auction Sponsors get exclusive signage at the auction table and recognition for supporting young recovery through 4D's mission.


Ready to join us?

Thank you for helping make all of this possible.

👇🏾👇🏼👇Check it out!👇👇🏼👇🏾

4D Recovery Participates in Talk A Mile: Walking Toward Connection & Change

On June 3rd, 4D Recovery joined local nonprofit, civic, and public safety leaders at Laurelhurst Park for a special community-building event: Talk A Mile.


Hosted by the Talk A Mile organization in collaboration with the Portland Police Bureau’s Equity and Inclusion Office, this gathering brought together participants from organizations like 4D Recovery, the Portland Police Advanced Academy, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for a mile-long walk focused on relationship-building, dialogue, and mutual understanding.


What makes Talk A Mile unique is its format—pairing community members and police trainees for informal, one-on-one walking conversations. Without uniforms or formal settings, the event fosters authentic interactions around issues like public safety, equity, youth engagement, and systemic trust.


4D Recovery was proud to participate alongside organizations that serve the Portland community across many intersections—from youth and families to housing, justice reform, and racial equity. As an organization deeply committed to transforming systems of care for young people in recovery, we see efforts like this as essential to building community-centered solutions that work.


By encouraging face-to-face conversation and listening with intention, Talk A Mile helps shift narratives, challenge assumptions, and build the kind of partnerships that are needed to move all of us forward.


We’re grateful to have been part of this meaningful day—and we look forward to continued opportunities for connection and collaboration.

4D Recovery Brings Youth-Focused Expertise to Oregon Episcopal School

On May 30th, 4D Recovery's Clinical Director, Dr. Nick Crapser, joined a panel of community experts at Oregon Episcopal School (OES) to speak with high school students about substance use, behavioral health, and recovery. The event was part of OES’s ongoing commitment to equipping students with the tools they need to make safe, informed choices and better understand the public health issues that affect their communities.


OES invited speakers who could engage students with honest dialogue about the realities of substance use. Dr. Crapser, known for his leadership in trauma-informed, youth-centered recovery services, was invited to share 4D Recovery’s perspective on addiction, treatment, and the importance of recovery support tailored to adolescents and young adults.


“Teens are incredibly perceptive and resilient,” said Dr. Crapser. “When we create space for real conversations about behavioral health and substance use, we help them feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek help when they need it.”


Also in attendance was Harmony Academy, Oregon’s recovery high school, which brought a powerful peer perspective to the panel. One of Harmony’s graduates, who now works at the school as a mentor, spoke about his own journey in recovery and how he now supports other students navigating similar challenges. His story was a powerful testament to the importance of peer support, purpose, and community connection in the recovery process.



The event built on prior classroom-based learning at OES and reflected the school’s mission, as shared by OES staff, to help students “realize their power for good as citizens of local and global communities.” 4D Recovery was honored to participate and remains committed to partnering with schools and youth-serving organizations to strengthen behavioral health education and expand recovery support across Oregon—by fostering open and honest dialogue about the impact of substance use, how to engage friends or family members who may be struggling, and how to reduce the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking help.


Supporting Middle School Youth: 4D Recovery at Roseway Heights Wellness Fair

On May 22nd, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Courday Rose, 4D Youth Community Center Manager, and Robert Sanders, 4D Youth and Family Services Manager, proudly represented 4D Recovery at the Wellness Fair hosted by Roseway Heights Middle School.


The school coordinated this event with a mission to offer students exposure to various community resources and organizations that foster individual and community wellness. They aim to connect youth with outreach coordinators and wellness advocates from programs that provide inclusive and equitable resources — and 4D Recovery was a perfect fit to promote to their 7th and 8th graders.


At 4D Recovery, we offer trauma-informed, peer-led services designed to empower youth and young adults navigating challenges related to substance use and behavioral health. Through mentorship, group support, and connection to community resources, we help young people build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging.


Courday and Robert brought this same spirit of empowerment and authentic engagement to the Wellness Fair. They encouraged open dialogue about wellness, recovery, and mental health, helping to reduce stigma with interactive activities, such as wellness passports.

Attending the wellness fair was a valuable opportunity to engage with youth at a formative stage in their development, said Courday Rose.


“Educating them about our recovery services was not only meaningful, but essential—especially given that this is the age when many young people begin experimenting with substances. Personally, I wish I had known about resources like these at that age. Seeing the level of interest and curiosity from the youth reaffirmed the importance of our work and gave me hope that we are making a positive impact by increasing awareness and access to support services.”


Their dedication to youth services shines through as they inspire positive attitudes and resilience among Portland’s young people.


Thank you to Roseway Heights Middle School and everyone involved in making this Wellness Fair a success — together, we’re building a healthier, stronger community for our youth!

4D Partners With Portland Artist Ursula Barton

Be Part of a Mural That Tells Our Story 🌟

We’re excited to partner with renowned Portland muralist Ursula Barton, whose vibrant work reflects community, resilience, and the spirit of the Pacific Northwest.



As part of this collaboration, our youth clients will help co-create a mural for our future campus—a powerful symbol of hope, recovery, and youth empowerment.


"My upcoming Hands On Mural is set for July 9th, 2025 in partnership with 4D Recovery, a Portland nonprofit providing vital recovery services for adolescents, young adults, and families. To celebrate the launch of their new Adolescent Outpatient Program and the development of their future Adolescent & Family Recovery Campus, we’re creating a meaningful, lasting piece of public art."


This mural will be co-created with youth in recovery—giving them a chance to lead, share their stories, and shape a visual representation of healing, resilience, and community.


🎨 How you can help:

We’re raising funds to bring this vision to life—every donation supports supplies, artist time, and youth involvement.


Thank you for turning our walls into a canvas for healing.

Donor Highlight

Karen Kern






"There isn't really another organization like it… I was impressed by the innovative yet straightforward approach."

Karen Kern

4D Recovery is proud to recognize Karen Kern as a longtime supporter whose generosity has played a meaningful role in advancing our mission.


Karen began supporting 4D in 2018, making her first contribution through Willamette Week’s Give!Guide. Since then, she has continued to give every year, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to youth recovery and mental health.


Her connection to 4D began during her time working at Central City Concern in Portland nearly a decade ago. While searching for resources for young people coming through Hooper Detox and other SUD programs, she was introduced to 4D. After visiting the Center on MLK Boulevard, Karen was struck by the openness, inclusivity, and accessibility of 4D’s model.


Now based in Santa Cruz, California, where she serves as the Deputy Director of Behavioral Health for the County of Santa Cruz, Karen remains deeply connected to 4D’s mission. She has supported multiple Gratitude Night Galas and most recently contributed to our Capital Campaign to build the Adolescent & Family Recovery Campus.


A person in long-term recovery herself—celebrating 29 years of continuous recovery this past March—Karen sees a personal connection to 4D’s work:

"If there was an organization like 4D when I was a young person, I may have had the support I needed to find recovery or even find purpose sooner."

Karen believes deeply in the power of relationships, the importance of community, and the need to push back against stigma. She recognizes 4D not just as a peer organization, but as a relentless advocate for evidence-based approaches, inclusion, and dignity for people in recovery.

"4D is out there every chance it gets chasing myth with facts, advocating locally and at the state level, and is always a resource to other systems of care organizations."

Though living out of state, Karen is planning her return to the Pacific Northwest—and she remains committed to helping youth and young adults access the support they need. Her hope is that her ongoing support contributes to the long-term sustainability and growth of 4D's vital programs.


We are incredibly grateful for Karen’s steadfast support and inspired by her leadership in the behavioral health field.


Thank you, Karen, for believing in 4D and the power of youth-led recovery.

Karen’s story is a powerful example of how consistent, long-term giving—no matter where you live—can make a lasting impact. Whether you’re a local supporter or cheering us on from afar, your belief in our mission helps us grow, reach more youth, and build the future of recovery together.

Fuel Recovery: Power 4D's Next Chapter

We’re launching major projects—and we need your support to make them a reality. Your unrestricted gifts allow us to respond to urgent needs and maximize impact.

 

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON:


Expand into Clark County, Washington

We’ve secured a location in Vancouver, WA and have hired a team of mentors. We will continue to raise funds at our Golf Tournament to cover operational costs.


Launch the Adolescent & Family Recovery Campus

Our capital campaign is underway! We’re purchasing a 16,000-square-foot campus to open a full continuum of care for youth and families in January 2026.

Sustain Housing and Clinical Services

Your support helps keep people in recovery housed, connected to care, and thriving long-term.


Join us—your partnership drives change!

WAYS TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS:

Become A 4D Sustaining Monthly Donor

Make A One-Time Donation

Support 4D Recovery Through Company Match!


Double your impact in just a few steps:


1. Check if your employer has a matching gift program. Many companies will match donations dollar-for-dollar (sometimes even more!)


2. Donate to 4D Recovery through our secure donation page.



3. Submit your donation receipt to your HR or matching gift portal to complete the process.

Facebook  Instagram  Linkedin