The Daniel J. Orens Foundation Mission
The Foundation was organized in January of 2017, two months after Daniel passed. A 501(c)(3) status was registered in Pennsylvania and Florida and a Board of Directors was appointed. Its goals are to spread awareness to all communities of the growing epidemic and how to combat and destigmatize it, to offer advice to families struggling with a family member currently afflicted, to console families who have lost a loved one to the disease. Money is raised to assist in the operation of the Daniel J. Orens Center for Life, a collaborative of several non-profit organizations operating a resource center for returning citizens. Additionally money is raised to assist other humanitarian missions such as Philly Sox Gloves and Love.The Foundation also provides educational presentations at school districts, college campuses, community groups and prison systems at no cost to the hosting entity. All officers, directors, advisors and fundraising committee members donate their time, effort and expertise.
Through monies generated from fundraisers and general contributions from benevolent donors, the Foundation will play an integral role to provide assistance and guidance for those struggling with the battle of drug addiction. We believe that with the help and support of others, the Foundation along with the Center for Life and other benevolent organizations will help save lives and restore families. The further we can spread Dan’s message, the more people we can help and the more lives we can save. We will continue our tireless efforts to assure that Dan’s amazing, caring and unique magnetism lives on as an Inspiration from Beyond to all.
About DANIEL J. ORENS FOUNDATION, INC.
How The Daniel J Orens Foundation, Inc. Has Been Actively Involved and Continues to Contribute More Every day!
Ever since Daniel’s death in November of 2016, as part of his healing and dealing with such a horrifying tragedy and every family’s worst nightmare, DJOF – through the efforts of Daniel’s father Jonathan – has become extremely active in community outreach. His resume of guest speaking and presentations is impressive and growing.
Click here to see just some of the contributions
- Member of the Philadelphia Task Force ‘Education and Public Awareness Sub-Committee’ to combat the opioid epidemic.
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- Affiliated with H.A.D.A. (Haverford Alliance for Drug Awareness) and has served as a panelist at their community outreach meetings. He associated with this group because of his family’s roots in Havertown PA.
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- Certified guest speaker for Holcombe Behavioral Health Systems’ NOPE (Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education) Program.
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- Conducted a class on the subject to a Temple University journalism course.
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- Made a presentation at a support meeting for ODATT (One Day At A Time) a local community support group for people fighting for recovery.
- Guest speaker on a recovery podcast – Rebel Recovery (Episode 16: “In Memory of my son Daniel“).
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- Guest speaker at the New Leash on Life Graduation Ceremony at the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
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- Guest speaker at the Abington-Jefferson Dixon School of Nursing.
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- Served as a panelist for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disability services (DBHIDS) Faith and Spiritual Affairs Conference.
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- Served as a panelist at the End Aids: The HIV Prevention and Outreach Summit for the Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers.
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- Guest speaker at the Mayor’s Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission’s 20th Annual “Making a Difference” dinner.
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- Guest speaker at the March In Black: International Overdose Awareness Day 2017 in Kensington Pa.
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- Participated in a round-table discussion about the opioid epidemic with the US Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, US Representative from PA Pat Meehan, and White House Advisor Kellyanne Conway among others at Mirmont Treatment Center in Media, Pennsylvania.
- Became a partner of the Daniel J Orens Center For Life, a collaborative of organizations to operate a resource center located in Wynnefield PA for OIP patients and returning citizens from the military or incarceration, recovering from substance abuse disorder, coupled with life skills training to productively transition back into society.
- Testified in front of Philadelphia’s City Council in support of a bill that would regulate pharmaceutical representatives to registering with the City and to prohibit business solicitation through dining and gifting. Click here to see the testimony.
Directors & Advisors
Jonathan Orens
President
Chad Orens
Vice President
Marlene Orens
Secretary/Treasurer
Directors:
Elisa Basnight
Michael Nicholson
Michelle Nicholson
Ariel Sugarman-Orens
Tamara Orens
Tyler Orens
Matthew Reese
Advisors:
Blane Stoddart
Brad Silver
Matt Smith
Kenny Silver
Fundraising:
Gary Harper – Chairperson
Maria Zecca – Chairperson
Eve Adler
Trish Kane
Diane Katz
Laurel McFatridge
Rosemary Pinto
Leslie Rott
Richard Stutman
Lisa Glynn Vinicur
Fundraiser Calendar
We had two very successful and well attended Casino Night and Silent Auction fundraisers – one in Fort Washington in 2017 and another in South Philadelphia in 2019. Future fundraiser will be referenced below.
Contact Us
Please feel free to reach out and contact us with any questions, ideas, and/or suggestions for how you would like to get involved with the Daniel J. Orens Foundation, Inc. Someone will get back to you in a timely manner to address your inquiry. Please fill out the form below to reach us by email or feel free to give us a call for more details at the number indicated below. Thanks and all the best!
Phone
Address
2200 Arch St. Unit 1212
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Email Us
Please Email us using the contact form below
We are proudly associated with:
H.A.D.A.
THE HAVERTOWN MEMORIAL
The Haverford Alliance for Drug Awareness (H.A.D.A.) is a non-profit community group in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania whose mission is to bring awareness to all of it’s residents about the drug addiction epidemic, to de-stigmatize it, and to try to save as many young lives as possible from this terrible scourge. In early 2018, HADA embarked on installing a permanent sculpture in the middle of town to memorialize the dozens of youth lost to drug overdose and to further enhance awareness to all of the families in the community.
A committee was formed and it chose a statue from hundreds of options. It was called “Loving Attention” crafted by a sculptor in California named David Spellerberg. HADA felt that it encapsulated the beauty and innocence of all children who are born and live in our great town and the birds in the hands of the little boy and girl represent the spirits of our lost offspring preparing to be released to the hereafter.
The sculpture is located just a few steps from the Middle School on the center strip of Darby Road as it splits to Eagle Road. It is the hope of all HADA members, many of which have lost their young loved ones to drug overdose, that all children and their families in the township understand why this memorial was erected and what it represents.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
HADA would like to offer its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following people and entities that turned this memorial idea into a reality.
David Burman Haverford Twp. Manager
Lawrence Genitle Former Haverford Twp. Manager
Daniel Mariani Haverford Twp. Director of Public Works
Kevin McCloskey Haverford Twp. 3rd Ward Commissioner
Thomas Kelly Director – Kelly Music for Life
James McCans Haverford Twp. Director – Paramedics & EMS
George Lavin, Esquire 501(c)3 assistance
The Haverford Township Police Department
A special thanks to some HADA members for their extended family donations over the years; David Rossi, Lisa Yacovelli, Jon Orens, Joann Flounders, and AnnaMarie Lubonski. Thank you also to all our Gold, Silver and Bronze Comedy Show Fundraiser Sponsors over the years; particularly Seth Samuels of Adam Mechanical and Steve Wilson of Secret Sauce who have been Gold sponsors with us since the beginning.
All the best,
Peggy Murr – HADA Director