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What do a stationary engineer, an ordained minister, and a tattooist have in common? Dutchess County resident, Anthony Eack. He’s a man of many hats, though you may know him as the figure and founder behind the Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Foundation.
The local non-profit opiate recovery group works with adolescents to provide treatment and medical needs that are typically not covered by insurance. One-on-one peer sessions and weekly group meetings, known as The RAP Session, are offered based on each person’s specific recovery requirements. The group also finances prescribed medications like Suboxone that help combat opioid addiction, as well as provides individual and family support, housing, and career guidance for individuals once treatment is complete.
As a certified recovery coach, Eack carries out most of the services himself, helping hundreds of people get and stay sober. Though the foundation solely relies on the funding of private donations and volunteers, he finances many of the services, supporting his family through other ventures as a stationary engineer in Manhattan and a part-owner of Gatz and Tattz Studio, a tattoo shop in Wappingers Falls.
In long-term recovery from alcoholism, Eack (who also goes by the name, Tony Gatz) founded the organization after seeing so many young kids present at the same AA meetings he was attending.
“I felt like this was a gift from God and wanted to make a change,” says Eack. “I started the Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Foundation to try and help cover the cost of treatments and be the link to all resources available.”
Click here to make a donation to the Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Foundation, or here if you or a loved one are struggling with addiction.
Meet more of our local heroes—and nominate your own—at www.hvmag.com/hvhero.
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