In 2008, Yorktown resident Justin Veatch, a talented musician still in High School, tragically died of a heroin overdose at the age of 17. Whispering Spirits tells the story of Justin and how his father and family grappled with his loss and reconnected with him through the music he left behind. Debuting at Jacob Burns on November 2nd, we bring you this timely opportunity to see this documentary and hear Justin’s father, Jeffrey Veatch, talk about his tragic experience and what he has learned. Heroin use and addiction happen in our backyard.
THIS EVENT’s PANELISTS:
Ellen Moorehouse LCSW, CASAC, CPP, Executive Director of Student Assistance Services Corp in Tarrytown
Ms. Morehouse is a licensed clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, certified Prevention Professional and the Executive Director of Student Assistance Services, a non-profit, corporation in Tarrytown. She is the creator of three national model substance abuse prevention and early intervention programs, has presented to professional and community groups in 44 states, written for professional journals and has been interviewed by the national media. She also currently serves on the NY Advisory Council on Underage Alcohol Consumption and Youth Substance Abuse. Ms. Morehouse has an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a Masters in Social Work from NYU.
Rachel Schoolcraft, M.D. Addiction Treatment Services, Phelps Chemical Dependency Services, in Ossining
Dr. Rachel Schoolcraft is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center. She specializes in treatment of substance use disorders and mental illness. Dr. Schoolcraft completed her residency in psychiatry at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and her fellowship in addiction psychiatry at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She is a founding faculty member and Clinical Instructor with the New York Medical College Phelps Family Medicine Residency Program.
& finally,
Jeffrey Veatch,
Jeffrey Veatch grew up on music; at age 17 he was playing in bands and was a DJ for a local radio station in Kentucky. He made radio work his career, and was recognized with a Writers’ Guild Award for writing and producing ABC’s World News This Week in 2007.
Veatch became reacquainted with music-making through his son, Justin, who exhibited fine talent as a musician/singer/songwriter. At age 17, however, Justin died of an accidental drug overdose, leaving the Veatch family devastated. Veatch spent the next year producing a full length CD to celebrate Justin’s music, and the family established The Justin Veatch Fund to honor Justin’s legacy; it awards scholarships and develops programs for young, emerging musical artists.
Veatch also developed a multi-media program titled “A Message From Justin” which he presents to teens at events sponsored by middle schools and high schools in the Greater NY area. By October, 2014 Veatch more than 20-thousand youth have participated. And in November, 2014, the 30-minute documentary Whispering Spirits, premiered at The Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY. It tells the story of how Justin’s family grappled with his loss and reconnected with him through the music he left behind. Director/producer Sean Gallagher is working with The Justin Veatch Fund to distribute the film across the United States; Veatch had also developed, and now delivers a multi-media program titled “A Message From Justin” to teens at events sponsored by middle schools and high schools in the Greater NY area. By October, 2014 Veatch more than 20-thousand youth have participated.
As always, FREE!
The Program Starts at 6:30 & seating begins at 6:15 at the Ossining Library’s Magnificent Budarz Theatre .
Following the Screening, join us for Conversation!
The Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series 