Summer Newsletter 2026

Hope Has A New Home!

We're excited to share the launch of the new Learn to Cope website

Designed with families in mind, our refreshed online home makes it easier than ever to find meetings, educational resources, wellness programs, our private family forum, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support our mission.

Whether you're visiting Learn to Cope for the first time or have been part of our community for years, the new site better reflects who we are: a leader in family support for substance use disorder, with more than 22 years of experience helping families navigate addiction, recovery, and healing with compassion and hope.

We invite you to explore the new site, bookmark it, and share it with someone who may need support.

Click here to visit our new site!

A Message from Joanne

Dear Friends and Families,

I’m excited to share some wonderful new beginnings with you! As our community continues to grow, so does our commitment to creating meaningful support, connection, education, and hope for families and children. We’ve been working behind the scenes on some special initiatives, and I’m thrilled to finally share them with you.

Introducing Luna’s Light

We are proud to introduce Luna’s Light, a new program created with children and families at heart. Luna’s Light will provide a nurturing space where children can express themselves through art, spend time with NEADS service dogs, and caregivers can enjoy coffee, conversation, and connection. Our hope is to bring resources, encouragement, and community to children and families navigating difficult experiences. Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and surrounded by people who care. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to sharing more about Luna’s Light in the months ahead.

A New and Refreshed Website

We’re also excited to unveil our newly refreshed website! We redesigned our site to make it easier for families, children, professionals, and our community to find the support and resources they need. It better reflects who we are, what we believe, and the heart behind everything we do. We hope that when you visit, you’ll find not only helpful information, but also the compassion, empathy, and hope that are at the center of our community.

Looking Ahead

There is so much to look forward to, including the third round of our Forget Me Not Initiative and GRACE programs, new resources, meaningful connections, and new opportunities to support families and children. I’m deeply appreciative of our dedicated team and volunteers who continue to give their time, talents, compassion, and hearts to this work. Together, we are building a community where no family has to feel alone. And to all the families who have lost a loved one this past year: Learn to Cope never forgets. While fatal overdose numbers may be declining, there are still far too many losses. Behind every number is someone’s loved one, someone’s family, and a life that mattered. We must keep making sure every family has the love, understanding, and support they need.

As we approach our 25th year, Learn to Cope remains a solid, reliable, and compassionate place for families to land. Yet even after all these years, we continue to learn, grow, evolve, and build community. Our journey is far from over, and neither is our commitment to the families who count on us. Thank you for being part of our journey and for believing in the power of connection, understanding, and hope.

Member Retreat at Mill Falls

This May, Learn to Cope members gathered at Mill Falls on the Lake in New Hampshire for our 4th Annual Weekend dedicated to rest, renewal, and connection. Through yoga, sound healing, inspiring speakers, expressive art, and meaningful time together, families were able to step away from the daily challenges of loving someone with a substance use disorder and breathe. Surrounded by others who truly understand, they found moments of peace, laughter, healing, and connection, reminders that they are not alone on this journey.

Wellness Retreats and Events

Newport 10 Miler

Our 2026 Newport 10 Miler Team conquered the beautiful 10-mile course as they raised over $2,800 for LTC’s programs for children and caregivers.

Get Active With Us

Falmouth Road Race

Our 2026 Falmouth Road Race Team represented LTC’s mission along the historic 7-mile course on August 16, raising over $14,000

(35% over their goal!). These dedicated team members helped raise awareness as well, helping us serve even more children affected by the consequences of addiction in the family.

A Day of Family Fun at Canobie Lake Park

On a beautiful day in August, Learn to Cope was happy to provide complimentary passes to Canobie Lake Park for the ninth year to our amazing members and their families, including those participating in Parents Supporting Parents and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

For many of our families, opportunities like this create a chance to step away from the challenges they face and enjoy a day together, filled with laughter, fun, and lasting memories. We are so happy to continue this special tradition and give our families a day to celebrate, connect, and enjoy time together.

LTC West Family Resource Center

Rock Painting

Creativity was on full display at the LTC West recent Rock Painting Event! LTC members enjoyed an afternoon of painting, conversation, and connection as they transformed ordinary rocks into colorful

works of art.

Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil

We gathered at Pleasant Green Park in Easthampton for an Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil to honor the lives of those we have lost. Together, we spoke their names, shared memories, and reminded one another that they will never be forgotten.

Live Music

LTC West welcomed Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jon Carroll for a special evening of live music. Our own Peter Babineau, LTC West Director, opened the evening before Jon, who is a founding member of Starland Vocal Band and co-creator of the chart-topping hit “Afternoon Delight,” shared his incredible talent with us.

Forget-Me-Not Initiative

Our New and Exciting Program - Luna's Light

This event is intended for children impacted by substance use disorder who have experienced the loss of a parent(s), incarceration of a parent(s), or

have a parent(s) who is no longer able to care for them.

Click Here to Register

Since launching in 2024, the Forget-Me-Not Initiative has provided more than $60,000 in direct financial assistance to families raising children affected by parental substance use disorder. This year, we are working to expand the program significantly, increasing both the number of families we support and

the financial assistance available to them.

The FMNI Grant application will go live on Monday, September 21. Stay tuned.

Learn More

New This September:

The Other Half

A support group for spouses and partners of individuals affected by substance use disorder. Starting on Monday, September 21, LTC is launching The Other Half, a virtual peer-led support group designed for spouses and partners navigating substance use disorder.