Dolly Parton Sing-A-Long Fundraiser for our Annual Christmas for Foster Children
Save the date–November 20, 2026 at 6:30p at The Venue in Pell City. This will be a night of Dolly hits, a down-home supper, and good company–all to support sponsoring Christmas for 25 foster children.
This is our 4th year for helping Jefferson County DHR provide Christmas for foster children. Working with local DHR and specifically with foster children has been a part of the work we have done at New Direction Counseling from the start. Each year we have been able to increase the number of children we are able to help and with your help we will be able to provide Christmas for the most children yet.
Tickets are $40. Doors open at 6:30p, dinner is served at 7:00p, and the Sing-A-Long will be 7:30-9:00p. Tickets can be purchased from the link below or by calling/texting 205-207-5688. Go to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/helping-foster-children-with-christmas
Get your tickets by 11/18/2026! We are aiming for 60+ people to join us for a fun evening!
Our Executive Director Joins the Opioid Response Network as a Consultant
Steve Mason, our Executive Director, has signed a contract to serve as a consultant for the Opioid Response Network (ORN)–a SAMHSA-funded national initiative led by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry that provides free training and education on addiction, treatment approaches, and recovery topics.
The Opioid Response Network brings together a coalition of nearly 50 national organizations to offer training and technical assistance to entities, programs, and facilities across the country. Steve’s work with ORN is a chance to share expertise, support the workforce, and raise the profile of training that New Direction Counseling can offer the community.
We are honored by the opportunity and excited for what’s ahead. If any organization or program is looking for free training opportunities, go to https://opioidresponsenetwork.org and submit a training request.
Our Blount County Office is Moving!
We are moving to a new office in Blount County, just on the edge of Blountsville. This new space lets us grow what we can offer the community. In this new space we will continue to have counseling for adults, children/teenagers, and families but also add job training, legal services (on a limited basis through a retired attorney), a staffing agency, and launch a new adolescent substance use recovery program we are calling the EMERGE Program.
The EMERGE program will be a longer process since it will require working on certification through the Alabama Department of Mental Health. We should have this portion of the program open in 9-12 months.
We are planning a workday to clean the new building on, Saturday 11/7/26. We could move that day too if everything works out right. We are furnishing the new space on a budget and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit we could use your help. Gently used furniture (couches, chairs, end tables, lamps) are needed or any financial donation would help. All donations are tax deductible.
We look forward to being able to serve Blount County even more than we have been able to over the past 2 years.
Second Annual Golf Tournament--Cancelled
After careful thought, we have decided to cancel our 2nd Annual Golf Fundraiser scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026 at Limestone Springs Golf Club.
With limited registration and limited sponsors this year–and growth leading to not being able to give the event the time it deserved–cancelling felt like the right call. All registered participants are being refunded in full.
Thank you to everyone who showed interest and supported the idea. The Terry and Brenda Mashburn Client Assistance Fund remains close to our hearts, and donations are always welcome at www.newdirectionweb.com/donations. We hope to bring the tournament back stronger down the road.
AARR Conference 2026--Spanish Fort, AL
We were grateful to be an exhibitor and sponsor for the Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residencies and promote counseling for individuals in recovery housing. It was great being around friend and colleagues for this event. What is even greater is getting to provide counselor for the individuals in these recovery residencies across the state.
