It is with great pleasure that the Board of Directors of the Charlestown Recovery House recently announced the establishment of the Peter Looney Service Award. The Peter Looney Service Award will be given out annually to an individual who, through their actions, demonstrate commitment to helping others. Judy will receive the award at the Recovery House annual fundraiser on Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus.
Judy was a constant collaborator with Peter in his efforts to help others. Judy, with Peter, Dennis McLaughlin, Bobby Wallace and Dr. Ron Coyne organized Boston Against Drugs in Charlestown over twenty five years ago. Judy and the other founders of BAD did not have an easy time convincing the community of the need for a halfway house in Charlestown.
BAD gave birth to Charlestown Against Drugs under the chairmanship of Dennis McLaughlin. After Dennis passed away, Peter became Chairman and held that position for 25 years. Bobby Wallace and Judy remained on the committee with a continuous trail of others who would join but not return. Judy and Peter continued the fight and brought the message into the Boys and Girls Club Community Center and encouraged the entire community to support the annual march against drugs. Today, CHAD is flourishing as a new group of leaders are taking over Peter’s responsibilities.
Along with her work for CHAD, Judy signed up in the beginning with a group of residents to build a halfway house. In the beginning it was a tough road for the supporters of what today is the Charlestown Recovery House. Judy was always thinking of how we could expand support for the House. When a site for a new police station was being discussed, Judy convinced the Mayor that locating the police station next to the Halfway House was a great idea–and it was. With a new police station next to the House the community reached a consensus that the house could be built.
Judy continues her efforts to help people in the community and when there is a difficult community issue to be solved you can still hear people say “did you call Judy?”.