Community Impact
Using our story to advocate for change
Keys 2 Serenity supports families impacted by addiction through community events, opioid policy advocacy, media outreach, and youth education across Northeast Ohio. By educating young people (and their families), we help break the cycle of substance abuse and strengthen families already impacted. Learn more about our work below.
Keys Events
We host more than 15 events each year for children and families impacted by addiction. Beyond these events, we believe it’s essential to collaborate with and support other local nonprofits, organizations, & the community as a whole throughout the year.
Keys Events Include:
– Family Easter Party
– Earth Day Community Clean Up
– Teen Kayaking Event
– Kids Festival
– Bereaved Mother’s Day Event
– Community Fall Festival
– Multiple School Supply & Backpack Giveaways
– Multiple Christmas Holiday Events
– AND MORE!
We are always looking for new community partners to team up with to create a stronger healthier community. Want to partner with Keys? Contact us today!
Sharing Our Story Creating Change
Youth Education & Keynotes
Sharing Our Story Creating Change
Youth Education & Keynotes
A Vocal Advocate for Change
Brenda has carried her message and advocacy from local government to the U.S. Capitol, serving as a powerful voice for underrepresented families and children affected by the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Brenda & Gov. Dewine discussing Ohio plans for addressing the gaps in support for children impacted by addiction.
Brenda Ryan with Gov. John Kasichfighting for tTougher Prison Sentences For Fentanyl Offenses.
Brenda with Rep. Casey Weinstein at the Statehouse lobby for support for kinship legislation. Thank you to Casey for hearing my story and co-sponsoring this effort.
Brenda (and her grandson Wyatt) in Washington, DC, addressing the Addiction Treatment Recovery Caucus with Jim Rauh, Families Against Fentanyl, as he pushes for legislation to make fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction.
Lobbying at the Ohio Statehouse by meeting with state representatives and senators to create meaningful dialogue and advocate for Ohio’s compliance with federal law, ensuring kinship caregivers receive the same financial support as foster parents.
Meeting with the White House Office for National Drug Control Policy. With Cindy Demaio of Rachel’s Angels.
Sharing Our Story Creating Change
Brenda has been featured across numerous news outlets and publications. Sharing her story has been a vital part of driving meaningful change.
Brenda Ryan/John Kasich/Tougher Prison Sentences For Fentanyl Offenses
Empowering the Community Through Keynotes & Youth Education
To help overcome the opioid epidemic, it’s essential to equip the community (youth in particular) with accurate information and valuable resources. Through engaging storytelling/keynote speaking and interactive youth workshops, Brenda and Keys 2 Serenity visit classrooms and community events throughout Northeast Ohio to educate & inspire.
Brenda shares her journey navigating grief from losing a child due to addiction. This event was hosted by Hope United. Sharing Sheena’s story keeps her memory alive and helps to motivate people to create change.
Presenting our first $1,000 Keys 2 Serenity Zach Smith Scholarship to a Cuyahoga Falls High School graduate who has been impacted by addiction in the home.
Working with the Academy of Medical Business Management class at Cuyhoga Falls High School to preent their idea of how recently awarded opioid funds should be used. Thank you to the Cuyahoga Falls Mayor’s Office and the City of Falls Law Department for allowing Keys to be a part of this event.
Brenda took part in the G.A.P. Network event by leading a workshop titled Grief into Action.
Speaking at the Final Farewell Project’s Celebration of Life Dinner.
Speaking with students at Hudson Community Explorer Zone, Before and Aftercare Program, who knitted these beautiful winter hats and collected food for the homeless.
Speaking with the students at Hudson Middle School after being chosen to receive the Angel Fund from Mrs. Knapps 6th grade class.
Sharing our story with the 3R Foundation (Reentry, Reconnect Restoration). Looking forward to collaborating with other local organizations to form a community task force. To fight the opioid epidemic.
Brenda’s grandson is following in her footsteps and becoming an advocate for children impacted by addiction. Wyatt gave a speech on behalf of Keys 2 Serenity to around 100 students about his experience losing his mother to addiction at Hudson Middle School.
While our focus remains on NE Ohio, we recognize the opioid epidemic affects the entire country. We are expanding to Florida by partnering with the Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay, strengthening their program, and creating a model we can replicate in Akron.
Speaking at and hosting our first-ever Bereaved Mothers’ Day Event in partnership with Hope United. (2023)
Speaking at the US Capitol in support of Families Against Fentanyl’s efforts to categorize fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.
Sharing our story and mission with the Northampton Cuyahoga Valley Rotary Club. Making connections and forming partnerships.
With Raynard Dean Packard and Brenda Ryan in Cleveland, addressing Afghanistan and Ukraine men and women on trauma and the importance of peer-to-peer support at the ‘US Together Inc.’ (Cleveland group).
Brenday Ryan is a certified Recovery Coach (through the Packard Institute) & holds a license with the State of Ohio as a Chemical Dependence Counselor.