Eluna Honors Representative Jaime Herrara Beutler & Senator Jeanne Shaheen at Annual Reception in Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. – Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler and Senator Jeanne Shaheen were honored for their advocacy of Eluna’s mission to support children and families impacted by grief and addiction on May 11, 2022 with the Eluna Champion for Children award. Congresswoman Herrera Beutler has supported Camp Mariposa Southwest Washington’s partner, Lifeline Connections, securing Fiscal Year 2022 Community Projects Funding of $50,000. This funding is crucial to the continuation of Camp Mariposa in Southwest Washington.
“It was an honor to receive this recognition by Eluna for my effort to support Camp Mariposa-Southwest Washington in its mission to provide counseling and mentorship to children and teens exposed to substance abuse. By partnering together on initiatives like this, we can help break the devastating cycle of intergenerational addiction,” Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler said.
Senator Shaheen has written letters supporting Eluna’s applications for its Camp Mariposa addiction prevention and mentoring program with the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and advocated for Department of Defense funding to support Eluna’s efforts to serve more military families. Eluna’s federal funding from the Department of Justice is a critical grant that provides support for families in New Hampshire impacted by substance use disorder. Through Camp Mariposa New Hampshire, which is hosted in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Nashua several times a year.
The reception was sponsored by AmerisourceBergen and Mehlman Castagnetti. Sheila Hilliard, head of Eluna’s benefit committee and former Camp Erin parent, also shared her own story of loss and how Eluna’s grief camp helped her young children find a place to connect with others dealing with the same feeling of grief, isolation, and loneliness.
About Camp Mariposa
Camp Mariposa is a year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use disorder of a family member. Children and teens attend transformational weekend camps up to six times a year. Youth ages 9-12 participate in fun, traditional camp activities combined with educational and support sessions led by mental health professionals and trained adult mentors. Teens ages 13-17 can continue their involvement in Camp Mariposa by serving as peer mentors as well as participating in other activities for teens and alumni. Camp Mariposa helps youth and teens build confidence and learn coping skills that help them break the cycle of addiction. Additional social activities are offered for youth, alumni and their families throughout the year. All Camp Mariposa activities are provided free of charge. Camp Mariposa has been serving youth and families in Southwest Washington since 2019.