Meet Sara Szelagowski | Project White Butterfly – Founder, Program Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Szelagowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, what do you attribute your success to?
Our organization is successful because it fulfills a prevalent need in our community. The need for tangible, non-clinical social connection and resources to those impacted by substance use in Cuyahoga County is great. Through our street outreach, Community Safe Space meeting, Dispelling Stigma Gallery, and the handwritten messages in Project White Butterfly cards people see that we are approachable, understanding, and genuine. We can relate because we have been there. Lived experience is our best asset.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Professional – haha! I can play that role well enough, but I think what really attracts people to Project White Butterfly is how laid back and approachable we are.

Having accidentally started a nonprofit, I have encountered many challenges. I never set out to start an organization, I just wanted to help people. I think the biggest challenge has been acquiring sustainable funding and transitioning my brain to think in terms of numbers/reports/business plans. I am so passionate about the work I do that the data part slips my mind and the human connection part takes over.

Luckily, I have an amazing Board of Directors and several mentors who have helped me learn the essentials to foster growth for Project White Butterfly. It is hard sometimes watching other organizations receive grant after grant, but we recently became a partner on a 5-year grant with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health which will allow us to bring on a couple more people to help with the workload. I have faith that we are doing what is needed and as such, we will always find a way to make it happen.

Cuyahoga County has been so heavily impacted by the opioid epidemic! We just want to help direct people to the best places to address their unique needs. So often, people simply need a nonjudgmental space to speak freely about what they are struggling with. Compassion and kindness make much more progress than shame and judgement.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places in the city are: – The Metroparks – my son and I enjoy visiting Watershed Stewardship Center and the walking trails are great!
– Mama Catina Vino e’ Cucina on Babbitt Road is absolutely amazing! A friend introduced me a couple years ago and I have been back multiple times – a great family-owned business with authentic delicious food.
– Pizzeria Cerino is another great place to eat
– The Zoo
– Trader Joe’s
– Gordon Square for a nice walk and shopping
– Playhouse Square for a show
– Go to a sporting event – Cavs or Guardians are my favorites!
– Stop at Halo Salt Spa in North Royalton for a massage

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Erin Helms – Erin turned Project White Butterfly into my full time job because she believed in the work I was doing. She continues to be an amazing mentor and a strong voice for people in recovery.

My Parents – they loved me through my darkest days and play a huge role in my life and Project White Butterfly’s foundation.

Project White Butterfly Board of Directors – they have dedicated many, many hours of volunteer time to helping turn this “accidental nonprofit” into a business – from bylaws to finances to fundraising – they work hard!

All those who have died as a result of substance use – they were the inspiration to do more on a small, very personal level in our community.

Website: www.projectwhitebutterfly.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project_white_butterfly/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-white-butterfly/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectWhiteButterfly