About Us

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY

The opioid crisis has inflicted a destructive path of immeasurable pain and distress across many families and communities in our society. More specifically, the United States accounts for approximately 25% of estimated drug-related deaths worldwide, including overdose deaths, which continue to rise. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 10.3 million people misused prescription opioids in 2018, and 2 million of those misused for the first time. This type of abuse contributed to 47,600 deaths in that same year from opioid-related drug overdoses.

The state of Colorado reflects similar trends with the CO Health Institute reporting 1,062 drug overdoses in 2019, which is the highest since the 1,012 deaths in 2017. Unfortunately, 2020 will surpass that high mark as The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has already recorded 1,152 overdose deaths in Colorado through September 2020. Experts suggest there’s an intersection between COVID-19 and the increased trending in 2020, primarily due to how the pandemic has exacerbated social isolation, stress, and job loss for many people.

My eyes were originally opened to this problem as my family suffered from the tragic loss of my brother, Raymond Rountree Jr., who passed in 2017 from an opioid overdose. Thankfully, the void of his death has gradually subsided, in part, due to the knowledge I've gained on the factors of addiction across opioids, drugs, and alcohol. My research and increased knowledge on this issue has not only eased my suffering, but more importantly, ignited my commitment to embolden a movement of continual awareness.

As eyes are opened, so does the ability to impart change, hence the birth of The Raymond Rountree Jr. Foundation, Inc., a platform dedicated to education, prevention, and recovery within all forms of substance abuse. From the turmoil of users themselves to the helplessness and grief of their loved ones, our aim is to eradicate the firestorm of tragedy and loss caused by this epidemic. We extend an open invitation to join us in our quest to help those in recovery sustain their conversion and support their ongoing commitment to living a healthy and purposeful life.

Lorraine Hoover, Founder

THE PROJECT

Spin for Opioid Sensibility

As a major part of our mission, we hold an annual “spin class” fundraiser, Spin for Opioid Sensibility (SOS). This event provides a great opportunity to learn more about the opioid epidemic in an atmosphere that stimulates physical and mental well-being. Every year participants ride indoor stationary cycles in a high-energy, motivating session for a great workout and to raise additional funds through any individual donations they’re able to secure.

Steps of Sustainability

This is a more recent initiative we started in 2019 to offer some variety in our efforts to promote a healthy and productive lifestyle. At these events, we participate in a VersaClimber studio class for an amazing full-body cardio workout and also outdoor hikes at various locations to enjoy incredible views of Colorado’s Western Slope and the Front Range. We always try to coordinate these activities to accommodate a range of physical capabilities, so whether you stay in neutral or want to crank it up a notch, you’ll have a great time boosting the endorphins along with our fund-raising efforts.

Beyond individual participation in these events, we also rely on applications and grants to help fund our operating costs, and most importantly, our treatment applications. Every year our collective contributions have helped people stay on the path to recovery by providing essential daily needs and other success resources including job training, education, and counseling.

Vision

SOS - The Raymond Rountree Jr. Foundation, Inc. is a Colorado 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable, transitional, and sustainable wrap-around services to those individuals and family members impacted by the consequences of addictive drug use. Sufficient treatment is both time extensive and expensive, so we strive to set a path to recovery that alleviates financial pressure and provides ongoing support from initial entry to conversion sustained.

Since our inception in 2018, we are thankful to have assisted several individuals with applications for the appropriate treatment programs for drug, alcohol, and opioid addiction. While this early impact is encouraging, we’re striving to create immediate and continued growth in our support outreach. For those clients who have successfully completed therapeutic treatment and are dedicated to maintaining the balance of their mind, body and soul, our foundation provides the following services:

1. Medical Treatment Solutions

  • Discount medication
  • Medication alternatives
  • Professional Counseling
  • Education

2. Physical Health

  • Discount fitness memberships
  • Running
  • Cycling
  • Weights
  • Dietary Counseling

3. Spiritual Discovery

  • Bible study classes
  • Personal counseling

4. Community Services

  • Sustaining recovery classes
  • Dealing with addiction classes