Why Does GIA have a Gala?

The Founders of GIA began to implement their vision in 2016 with a single sober living home. They were motivated by their personal struggles with and recovery from substance abuse. They came to believe that helping others was not just the right thing to do but a necessary part of their own recovery. Their vision is that everyone ready to commit to sober living will have support for their journey. The Gala will enable GIA to implement this vision for years to come.

Over the last four years, GIA has grown to four homes that serve men, women, and families ready to commit themselves to a sober and self-sufficient life. GIA has added a not-for-profit thrift store that supports those in recovery by providing new skills and gently used clothing so they can re-enter the workforce. The thrift store

also provides low cost goods, job training and substance abuse prevention to the broader Billings community. The dedication of the founders, coupled with the amazing generosity of the Billings community, made this all possible.

GIA’s sober living program focuses on helping those most deeply impacted by substance abuse. Most beneficiaries enter GIA homeless unemployed and deeply dependent on public services and public spaces. Most have been through years of dependency and many have been through the prison system. GIA has succeeded

in helping these people re-enter society sober, self-sufficient, and ready to give back to others.

THE GALA WILL PUT GIA ON A SUSTAINABLE FOOTING AND ALLOW IT TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO THE BILLINGS COMMUNITY. YOUR SUPPORT AS A PARTNER AND/OR DONOR IS VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CAMPAIGN. TOGETHER, WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:

  • Hundreds achieve sober and self-sustaining lives

  • Families reunited

  • A vibrant enterprise contributing to southside revitalization

  • Fewer people dependent on public funds and public spaces

  • More than paying for itself by lowering societal costs

  • Five-year accountability framework with real results

  • Volunteer service opportunities to help GIA Pay it Forward

  • Recognition for partners and donors

  • Net Gain to the Community of $29,022 for each person who enters Sober Living and stays for 9 months

Terri Todd