The annual fundraising gala dinner held by Skoun, Lebanese Addictions Center, once again lived up to expectations by providing more than 500 guests, at the Old Chevrolet Showroom Building, with an unforgettable night, while raising funds for this worthy cause.
The gala dinner proceeds account for 35% of Skoun’s annual budget, making it a crucial part of the organization’s efforts to sustain its drug and alcohol treatment centers and prevention programs.
Speaking at yesterday’s evening, Nadya Mikdashi, executive director and co-founder, told guests that thanks to the generosity of Skoun’s supporters, the year 2018 was once again a busy, but rewarding one for the organization.
“Aside from being able to provide addiction treatment to more people every year, we were also able to deliver our prevention programs to a record number of youth through a partnership with World Vision,” she said. “This is directly what Skoun was founded to do, and it also highlights the importance of ensuring that these essential services remain available.”
584 people sought support across Skoun’s two centers in 2018, marking an increase of 18% on numbers the previous year. It also ran educational and awareness campaigns in 115 schools across Lebanon, up from 61 in 2017, relaying its messages to 13,342 students.
In addition, Skoun’s team of youth educators reached out to 27,899 young people from Saida, Tyre, Tripoli and Greater Beirut through drug awareness interventions via the organization’s “SILA, Young People and Drugs” project, which is funded by the European Union.
Sarah Trad, President of Skoun’s Board and Co-founder, added that the part played by the annual gala dinner and the generosity of attendees couldn’t be overestimated.
“Our fundraising gala dinner is such an enjoyable occasion, it’s easy to forget that this highlight of our year is about donors and friends of Skoun coming together to raise the funds that save lives on a daily basis,” she said. “With that in mind I’d like to tell everyone present that your generosity is helping us to offer critical assistance to all those affected by Lebanon’s drug and addiction problem, both patients and their loved ones, while enabling us to carry out more preventative campaigns, which we know are key for future success.”
Founded in 2003, Skoun has grown to become a leader in providing treatment and support for people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction in Lebanon. It is a non-profit, non-governmental Lebanese organization and the first outpatient therapeutic facility in Lebanon that offers prevention and treatment services.
Skoun currently operates through their two centers in Badaro and Rafik Hariri University Hospital. Its focus is on providing support in areas of drug treatment, prevention and policy. Skoun has helped over 3000 people to successfully reclaim their lives.
Testimonials
“Skoun assisted me at both a medical and psychological level and stuck by my side through all the ups and downs of the rehabilitation journey. Today, after four years of being completely drug-free, I can say I’ve never been better.” Z.S.
“If it weren’t for Skoun’s team and treatment program, I wouldn’t have been able to recover, finish my college degree and open my own store. It’s been five years since I began my treatment at Skoun, and since then, everything has changed for the better.” A.A
Sponsors: dar; Bank Audi; Banque Libano-Française; Fransabank; Fondation Ousseimi; Magrabi; Sannine
Contributors: Caractere; Maxim Chaya; Elissar; Bulldog; The Malt Gallery; Aziz; Dar El Founoun; Kubik; Tipplers; Al Rifai; Arak Brun; Ballantine’s
Facebook: Skoun.org
Twitter: @skoun_beirut
Instagram: @skoun_beirut