Events
2021 Educational Program “Doing Grief Well” with Practitioner Pat Obst and Executive Director Loretta Depka is Now On The Starting Point’s YouTube Channel
“When we learn to do grief well, we can journey through our grieving, find healing and move toward re-creating our lives after loss.” Executive Director Loretta Depka was Joined by practitioner Pat Obst, LCSW, MSW as they discussed grief, loss, and helpful methods for dealing with these life challenges. For more info regarding Pat Obst, […]
Read More....2021 PODCAST: “Applying the Steps to Daily Life” ~ with Founder Vince Di’Pasquale is Now On The Starting Point’s YouTube Channel
The principles of the 12 Steps can apply to every aspect of life. They are helpful tools that give us the opportunity to reflect, get to know and love ourselves, and to be able to generously share our life with others. The Starting Point’s founder Vince DiPasquale, MA discussed how to apply the steps to […]
Read More....2021 Podcast ‘What Goes on in a Real Relationship?’ with Kenneth Goldberg PhD is Now On The Starting Point’s Youtube Channel
Falling in love is the easy part. Relationships are at the center of our lives and have a big influence on our overall health and mental wellbeing. Being in a good relationship can ease stress, give you energy, and lead you on a path to a healthier life. But how do you know if you […]
Read More....2021 Podcast: “Forgiveness” with Kevin Elsey, MA, LPC is Now on The Starting Point’s YpouTube Channel
To forgive, or just forget? You’ve been fired; your partner has cheated on you; someone cut you off in traffic; you were abused by someone in your past. These situations can leave you feeling hurt, angry, and wanting nothing but revenge. How can you forgive when you have been wronged? Why should you? What if […]
Read More....2021 Podcast, “The Spirituality of Sports” with Vince DiPasquale is Now On The Starting Point’s Youtube Channel
Play ball! On Thursday, April 29, 2021 our Founder, Vince DiPasquale, discussed why he sees sports as a gift that can teach us about life. Sports have rules, require patience, hustle and skill. On any given day, anything can happen. Even the best of hitters only connect 30% of the time. Life is a spiritual […]
Read More....2021 Podcast “Returning to Socialization” Is Now On The Starting Point’s YouTube Channel
On Thursday, April 15, 2021, our Executive Director Loretta Depka was joined by Starting Point practitioner Erik Jervis, MSW, LSW. Eric and Loretta discussed the importance of socialization (for all ages) as society, slowly, gets back to some type of normalcy. Erik explained why it’s important to socialize (especially for kids, teens and young adults […]
Read More....2021 Podcast “Who, What, When, Why, Where: Substance Abuse Treatment” Is Now On The Starting Point’s YouTube Channel
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, our Executive Director Loretta Depka was joined by the Executive Director of The Beacon Point Treatment Center, Joseph Curran. Like any other life-threatening disease, addiction requires serious and immediate treatment, but treatment for addiction isn’t “one size fits all.” Joe points out that there are proven science-based solutions to addiction […]
Read More....2021 Podcast “What is our job as a parent?” Is Now On The Starting Point’s YouTube Channel
On Thursday, March 18, The Starting Point’s Executive Director Loretta Depka was joined by practitioner Pat O’Connor, MSW, LSW, CSAT to discuss parenting, in a podcast entitled “What is our Job as a Parent?“ Pat, who has a Certification in Active Parenting, has been working with helping families to lead healthier lives by offering programs […]
Read More....2021 Podcast “Myths and Misconceptions about Grief” Now Available On The Starting Point YouTube Channel!
On Thursday, January 28, 2021, our Executive Director Loretta Depka joined Starting Point practitioner, Pat Obst, MSW, LCSW, to discuss Myths and Misconceptions about Grief. The recorded podcast is now available on The Starting Point’s new YouTube channel. You can jump directly to the podcast from here. Over the past 20 years Pat has managed […]
Read More....A Birthday Thank-You from Vince D.
Hi Family, It is with much gratitude, humility and love that I say a special thank you for all the expressions of love for my 80th birthday. This was a five day birthday party! Between Zoom parties, Facebook, and some neat surprises from our director, Loretta & staff, it was great! A special thank you […]
Read More....Vince And Bob McCrumn (A Reunion And A Homecoming …)
On Wednesday evening at one of my lectures, I saw a familiar face in the audience. His presence was a wonderful surprise and it brought tears to my eyes. It was like the early days of The Starting Point again, and memories of the original houses came back into focus. Bob McCrumn was a special […]
Read More....Vince’s Holiday Message …
Let’s take time during this special season to look at all the celebrations as a time for spiritual growth. Hanukkah , Christmas and Kwanza all teach us the spirit of gratitude and love. All of us at The Starting Point would like to wish you and your families a blessed and peaceful Hanukkah, Christmas and […]
Read More....Opioids and the Older Adult \ “Education is Prevention” : Help The Starting Point to Share This Free Community Program
Friends, With regards to the current crisis of opiate addiction, we are battling some frightening statistics: Almost one-third of all Medicare patients — nearly 12 million people — were prescribed opioid painkillers by their physicians in 2015. That same year, 2.7 million Americans over age 50 abused painkillers, meaning they took them for reasons or […]
Read More....Help Us to Help Others
Dear Friends and Family of The Starting Point, Each of you have a story and, like most stories, they have a starting point. I didn’t realize I was abusing prescription drugs, but found heroin cheaper… I had been drinking for 20 years when I met Vince… How did I get here? When contemplating suicide for […]
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