Parent Connection boutique opens

#MiddleburyCT #ParentConnection #HouseOfHarrison

This Newtown Parent Connection boutique recently opened. It offers a variety of items and services to people transitioning from addiction treatment to the workforce. (Submitted photo)

The Newtown Parent Connection, which offers a weekly support group in Middlebury for families and friends of those affected by addiction, has just opened a boutique aimed at helping those fresh out of rehab live a successful sober life. Named “House of Harrison, a New Beginnings Boutique,” it honors the memory of Harrison Farah, (12/12/2000 – 8/31/2023). His mother, Lynne Farah, is keeping Harrison’s spirit alive by helping others in partnership with The Newtown Parent Connection founder, Dorrie Carolan.

For the last couple of years, Carolan has wanted to open a boutique to help those transitioning from treatment to the workforce. She explained that loved ones who go into treatment leave most of their personal belongings behind. When they transition to sober living, they have very few essentials necessary to jump start a job search. Carolan said Parent Connection wants everyone to have the opportunity to move forward in their recovery, and The House of Harrison provides that help. It has made Farah and Carolan’s vision a reality. With the goal of supporting individuals seeking employment while transitioning from treatment, sober living, and group homes, House of Harrison offers clothing, shoes, jewelry, resume writing assistance and more to prepare people for the best stage of their lives, recovery!

Parent Connection recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and is growing stronger than ever as it strives to continue reaching all surrounding communities. Its mission is to educate and empower the community in the prevention of substance abuse and to embrace families in crisis. Knowledge is power, and by becoming better informed about the disease of addiction, people can begin to take the necessary steps to prevent and treat the problem. Parent Connection works with individuals and families to build resiliency and strengthen the connections within the family structure. Strong families help create strong communities.

It offers weekly hope and support groups in three different locations (Newtown, Milford and Middlebury), providing education and support to parents and caretakers to help get them through their difficult journey. It also offers a monthly bereavement group in Newtown. Middlebury’s group meets Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. John of the Cross Church at 1263 West St. in Middlebury.

Visits to the boutique are by appointment only, so please contact Farah at 203-304-1050 or at lynne@newtownparentconnection.org to schedule a visit. Provide support for the organization with monetary donations, by visiting their Amazon wish list at www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1GZAYAAKPEZ5M, or by donating computers or iPads. For additional information, kindly visit www.ctparentconnection.org and the House of Harrison’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555643866943.