Hard work is happening at Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA), and the organization will be recognized for its efforts at the Elizabethtown College Partnership Award Breakfast. The nonprofit will also open its doors to the public for its annual Recovery Art Show, happening Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20.

At the June 10 breakfast, DSAA will receive the Civic Impact Award. The organization was nominated for the honor by one its student volunteers, Lana Rapp.

"She has been coming to volunteer with us for several semesters," said DSAA executive director Stacy Emminger. "We have been partnering with Elizabethtown College for several years. We provide an opportunity for students to get the volunteer hours they need for their Community Based Learning classes. We also host interns each semester."

Emminger added that DSAA has also completed several projects with various classes at the college, has participated in panels on campus and has worked with communications classes on video projects.

"It's been a wonderful partnership," she said.

The Civic Impact Award celebrates a partner that has demonstrated exceptional civic engagement collaboration, creating meaningful student learning and community outcomes. DSAA was singled out for its commitment, engagement and shared investment in the partnership with the college.

The Recovery Art Show will be held at DSAA's Mount Joy office, located at 78 E. Main St. It will run from 4 to 7 p.m. on June 19 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 20.

"The show consists of various art projects created by our clients who come to our Art Heals classes. Our clients are individuals in early recovery," Emminger said. "There are paintings, sculptures, masks and other projects that will be displayed. The purpose of the art show is to spread awareness about the recovery part of addiction. Most individuals do recover and heal. Art is just one of the tools they use to heal."

She explained that Art Heals classes are taught by an individual in recovery who has a Fine Arts degree from Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

"All of the lessons in art class tie into recovery in some way," Emminger said. "Art Heals is also a favorite of our Elizabethtown College students. They all enjoy interacting with the clients and working on the art projects. It isn't unusual for us to have anywhere from five to 10 students in art class each Friday during the school year."

DSAA is a deeply personal organization for Emminger. She lost her son, Anthony, to addiction in 2014 and began hosting a parent support group in her living room in 2015. Over the years, the organization has expanded to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing programs including 12-step yoga and offering resources such as a clothing bank.

DSAA opened a second office at Liberty Place in Lancaster earlier this year. It's not open to the public like the Mount Joy location is, but it's used for staff members from DSAA's re-entry program to work and meet with clients in a location closer to court and the prison.

"We're up to seven staff in our re-entry program," Emminger said, noting that the program is just one aspect of DSAA's services. "DSAA provides support to individuals, families and loved ones impacted by addiction. We're a safe space to come to get help, find treatment, get linked to services and to get support. All services provided are confidential and free of charge. Don't go through it alone."

While she's honored to receive the Elizabethtown College award, Emminger said her greatest satisfaction comes from delivering services to people who need support. She hopes the public will come out for the art show, where displayed art will be available to take home for a donation.

"We usually have the art show at the beginning of the year, but we decided to have it coincide with the Summer Solstice event this year," Emminger said, referring to an event happening in downtown Mount Joy on June 20. "We believe the two together will make a wonderful Saturday out."

For more information on DSAA, visit https://dsasquared.org or follow the organization on Facebook.