A Vermont family’s promise to fight drugs keeps on delivering

JOHNSON — Earlier than 26-year-old Jenna Tatro died of an opioid overdose in 2019, she referred to as residence from a remedy heart with a want to pay it ahead.

“We’re going to assist somebody after I get out,” her household remembers her saying.

That’s why after Jenna relapsed, her dad and mom used her life insurance coverage cash to buy an outdated Johnson church the place their daughter was baptized and acquired her first Communion. Hoping to help a community of community-based restoration providers, the Tatros created the nonprofit group Jenna’s Promise.

Three years later, it retains on delivering.

Jenna’s Promise has turned the previous St. John’s Catholic Church right into a neighborhood heart for actions starting from AA conferences to yoga lessons, in addition to satellite tv for pc places of work of Lamoille County’s North Central Vermont Restoration Heart.

The nonprofit group has additionally purchased different Johnson buildings, starting from an empty downtown storefront to the previous Parker & Stearns constructing provide heart, which not too long ago closed after 128 years. They collectively home the state’s first supervised restoration residence, two decrease ranges of sober housing, a fundraising espresso roasting firm, a surplus retailer and, coming quickly, a café.

“We’re attempting to rehabilitate individuals — and likewise our neighborhood,” stated Jenna’s brother, Gregory Tatro.

For greater than a half-century, locals have recognized the household for its three-generation enterprise, G.W. Tatro Development. Its late founder, Gerald Warren Tatro, was a part of World Conflict II’s D-Day invasion earlier than an damage left him with solely half a lung, sending him residence to purchase a bulldozer and construct the primary ski trails on the close by Smugglers’ Notch Resort.

Gerald’s son, Greg (the shorter identify differentiates him from his personal son, Gregory), grew as much as be part of the enterprise, marry his spouse, Daybreak, and lift two kids. Daughter Jenna was pursuing a pre-med diploma centered on psychology when, hospitalized for bruises, she was prescribed opioid painkillers for 30 days.

Jenna went on to battle dependancy for six years.

The nonprofit group named after her is working to supply a circle of care — not solely with a community of remedy choices, but additionally companies that present jobs and cash to pay for 17 beds of sober housing.

“We’re hoping to indicate this is usually a mannequin that may be replicated throughout the state and throughout the nation,” Gregory Tatro stated.

Acknowledged by Gov. Phil Scott in his 2020 State of the State deal with, Jenna’s Promise is also aiming to teach individuals who don’t know Vermont reported practically as many deaths from overdoses in the course of the pandemic as from Covid-19.

The group not too long ago hosted a city corridor on the difficulty with two congressional candidates, Senate President Professional Tempore Becca Balint and Lt. Gov. Molly Grey. There, a person requested why he needed to cease working as a restoration coach due to the sphere’s low pay and lack of advantages, whereas a lady questioned why the supplier who offered her daughter a deadly dose of fentanyl was launched on $500 bail.

The solutions, they discovered, aren’t easy. However Jenna’s household and associates stated they’re prepared to do the work.

“The final time we gathered right here for her was in the course of the reception for her funeral,” Gregory Tatro stated on the former church. “We spoke about how she was like a stone dropped right into a lake — her type disappearing, however her impression rippling ever onward. I feel we have now an opportunity to show a second into momentum.”

(Editor’s be aware: VTDigger reporter Kevin O’Connor moderated the city corridor talked about on this story.)