Sarah Kristin Owen Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation makes inaugural grant to Gateway Rehab Center

PITTSBURGH—Gateway Rehabilitation Center has received the inaugural grant disbursed from the Sarah Kristin Owen Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.  The $10,000 grant is earmarked for operating support.

The Sarah Kristin Owen Fund was established to improve the educational, physical, social, and economic well being of children and young women, with an emphasis on living a drug-free life.  Ron and Judi Owen, parents of Sarah, created “R.O.S.E.S. from Sarah” (Recovery or Single Mother Educational Support) in memory of the daughter they lost to drug addiction.  The Owens’ are dedicated to turning their tragedy into victory by providing a mechanism to protect other young women from sharing Sarah’s fate.

In announcing the grant, Gateway president and CEO Dr. Ken Ramsey expressed gratitude for the support of the Sarah Kristin Owen Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.  “Gateway Rehab is very proud and grateful to be chosen as the recipient of the first grant from the Sarah Kristin Owen Fund.  Each year, an increasing number of individuals, particularly young people, many of them young women, come to us in need of care for addiction-related problems.  We are deeply honored that the Owens’ family has made this generous investment in helping to save lives devastated by addiction.”

A nationally recognized leader in drug and alcohol treatment, not-for-profit Gateway Rehab provides care for more than 8,000 adults and youths annually within a network of 20 locations in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.  Founded in 1972 by Dr. Abraham Twerski, Gateway has helped more than 80,000 individuals take the first steps toward recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

In 2003, The Pittsburgh Foundation, the 15^th largest community foundation in the nation, awarded more than $24 million in grants to charitable organizations.  Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is comprised of more than 960 funds established by organizations and individual donors.  These funds range from $10,000 to more than $32 million, and have the combined market value of approximately $537 million.

Gateway Rehabilitation Center is a private, non-for-profit organization offering comprehensive prevention services and treatment for adults, youth and families with alcohol and other drug problems.  With locations throughout Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, Gateway provides services for over 9,000 individuals annually.