Family Addiction Network September meeting

Tuesday Sept. 17th from 7 – 8:30pm

West Long Branch Community Center…

From Darkness to Light: Finding Hope and Purpose Amidst Life’s Struggles

For our September meeting, we welcome  Gina Economopolous, who shares her personal journey through loss, addiction, and a crisis of faith.  She explores how to navigate feelings of hopelessness and despair, offering practical advice on finding hope and a sense of purpose. You will be inspired by her resilience and guided by her insights on embracing faith and perseverance to overcome life’s darkest moments.

Born and raised in the vibrant community of Syosset, New York, Gina emerged as the seventh child in a family of eight whose roots were deeply intertwined in an Italian and Greek-loving family. She grew up in a Catholic traditional upbringing with unconditional love from her parents. Despite facing numerous surgeries from a young age, each shaped her into the resilient individual she is today. With a degree in social science from Eastern CT State University, she ventured to Harrisburg in 1989, where she seamlessly blended her social work background with bartending, embodying the essence of hospitality.

Following the loss of her mother to cancer in 1992, she embarked on a spiritual journey that led her to the convent for twelve years before caring for adults with disabilities. Settling on the tranquil shores of the Jersey Shore in 2010, she encountered love and loss, finding solace in sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. Today, as an End of Life Doula, she extends her compassionate heart to those in their final chapter, grounded in faith and guided by the wisdom of the scriptures. She is also very much involved in the rooms of AA in service and reaching out to other alcoholics. Whether enjoying simple pleasures like playing golf, shooting pool, traveling, or going to the beach, she navigates life’s journey with gratitude and grace, forever grateful for the blessings that adorn her path.