Getting Bigger and Saving More Lives
Since its inception six years ago, BIGVISION has helped countless people struggling with substance abuse overcome their addictions by engaging them in meaningful meetings and events. Eve Goldberg, who started the organization following the death of her son, Isaac, wanted to help other young people realize that they can live a happy life free of addictive substances. Goldberg is both shocked and gratified that her big vision just keeps on getting bigger.
Their plans to expand prove just how much BIGVISION continues to impact, and in turn, save lives. These fundamentally crucial programs, as well as Eve’s vision to open their first clubhouse, requires funds, which is why they host multiple fundraising events throughout the year. This life-changing – and life-saving – organization has a basketball fundraising event coming in March. They also have an online auction currently going on which will remain open on their website until Wednesday. Make sure to check out their great items – each sale goes right to helping BIGVISION reach their goals.
With overdose rates up 40 percent in New York state alone due to the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, Eve, as well as everyone involved, knows that their mission is more important now than ever before. While they have a robust calendar of in-person events, with all safety measures in place, they also continue to create tons of online content.
“We need to showcase what a sober lifestyle looks like,” explains Eve. “It’s all about finding your passions. You can do fun things without using substances. It’s a simple concept, but for Isaac, it was hard for him to fathom that he could have fun without using any substances. Today, there are a lot of people who are sober curious.”
The pandemic, which has brought on loneliness, job losses and other hardships , has also triggered many people to start drinking again. BIGVISION’s helpful posts and tips on how to get through the holiday season without drinking, including how to prepare yourself, are also popular amongst those who aren’t in recovery, as well as those who just don’t want to partake in certain behaviors due to peer pressure.
With so many social activities, from ice skating to yoga Monday’s to knitting – Eve’s 91-year-old mother is a knitting pro who attends many of the classes – BIGVISION is already planning on expanding to four different cities by 2022. They also host many virtual events, including their meditation class, which can be found on BIGVISION’s Instagram Live page. After all, it just takes a simple sober event every month to make a big difference. Their partnerships and parties, including their recent sober Halloween party which was held in Brooklyn, are also becoming popular with those who just want to wake up the next day feeling good about themselves with no pressure to drink.
“Our events are really for people who are craving for connections and who want to be part of a community no matter where you are in your recovery. We have no judgment and are always very accepting. You can come continuously or just for two days, as long as you are working on your recovery.”
Eve’s mother, also known as Bubby Lili, is honoring her grandson by becoming even more involved in BIGVISION and helping participants put together what is now known as Bubby Lili’s Recovery Quilt, featuring everybody’s six-inch squares to create 100 symbolic squares sewn together. “It’s all about different types of people coming together to be a community. “When you look at the quilt and it’s all different colors, it just shows how perfectly imperfect we all are.”
According to Eve, helping people realize that they can’t go back to living their lives in the same manner right after treatment, both mentally and physically, is crucial to long-term and sober success.
“Most people are not prepared for real life after treatment. Treatment
is a start, but 30 or 60 days are not enough. There needs to be a continuing care plan. We have developed a lot of strategic relationships with sober houses, which is how we are really getting the word out there.”
With committed board members, including Amy Lazarus and Stacey Bender, plus communities who care, the bigger they get, the more lives BIGVISION saves.
