Founded in Lakewood, Ohio in 2008, the HUGS Foundation has been working to bring healing in the form of Hope, Understanding, Gratitude and Serenity, to those touched by adolescent chemical addiction, bridging the insurance gap by providing funds to help offset the staggering costs of residential recovery programs.

Founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935 Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon have been working to help bring sobriety and support to those struggling with addiction. On Thursday, April 29, the two paths will merge as HUGS hosts "Desserts and Discussion" prior to the Cleveland Play House production of Bill W. and Dr. Bob -- a powerful drama which tells the story of the two men who founded AA and their wives who founded Al-Anon. Ticket price of $50 includes dessert, discussion and admission to the performance. Proceeds from the evening will be used to help families struggling with adolescent addiction.

"Partnering with the Play House seemed like a perfect idea since AA and Al-Anon are so important in family recovery and family recovery is so much of what HUGS is about," said HUGS founder, Dianne Vogt. While the play itself will be enjoyable for anyone interested in good theater, it will be especially meaningful to anyone who has been touched by the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction. Seeing the play will deepen their understanding of the core program that is so successful in recovery.

The HUGS Foundation was launched in late 2008 by Vogt, after she saw the need to bridge the insurance gap and provide funds to help families afford the staggering costs of addiction recovery programs. Vogt, who dealt with the chemical dependency of her own son, was volunteering at Oakview Behavioral Health Center, when she heard a mother say that her son needed more treatment, but she would have to sell her house for him to get it. Vogt thought that something should be done for the parents who are willing to participate in recovery and realize more treatment is needed; however, the insurance company says," No, the benefits are exhausted."

Since March 2010, the HUGS Foundation was been able to help five families defray the costs of their child's treatment. Because HUGS was willing to help the families, several young men have experience sobriety and are back on track with school and jobs.

"Thanks to HUGS," said one grateful mother, "We were able to place our son in the trustworthy hands of Power House Services, a half-way house in Louisiana; the same place where Dianne's son sought refuge and healing. . . Slowly and painfully the son we once knew is resurfacing thanks to their structured program that has proven successful since 1986. . .HUGS has been Helpful, Understanding, Giving and Supportive -- my own definition for this much needed foundation that steps in when insurance benefits have been exhausted."