Story: Shelly Bornstein & Family
When Shelly and Travis Bornstein were raising their young son, Tyler, they envisioned for him a long life filled with happiness and success. Even at a very young age, Tyler loved competing and excelled at every sport he played. Eventually, this active life led to injuries, and at just 11 years old, Tyler underwent his first surgery and received his first prescription for opioids. A few years later, Tyler had to undergo another surgery, but this time it was clear prescription drugs had taken hold of this young man. Previously a 4.0 student and accomplished athlete, by his senior year, Tyler was struggling as he found himself in active addiction.
Once they recognized there was a problem, the Bornsteins worked to get their son the help he needed. Over the course of at least six years, he went through various treatment programs but continued to struggle with a substance use disorder. In his final attempt to get into a detox facility, Tyler was put on a 3-week waiting list. While waiting to get into treatment, Tyler suffered an accidental overdose and was left in a field without medical care. Tragically, Tyler died on September 28, 2014.
Despite the dramatic and well-publicized rise in overdose deaths by then, it was clear to Shelly that many remained in denial about the horrible impact the opioid epidemic was having on their community. So, the Bornsteins founded Hope United to help bring awareness and support to families struggling with addiction. Soon after launching their nonprofit, Travis gave a speech about his family’s loss at a national Teamsters convention and the organization raised more than $1 million in just two hours. The Bornsteins then began work to create Tyler’s Redemption Place with the aim of filling gaps in support after treatment and providing a safe space where people immediately feel valued.
After several years of work, Tyler’s Redemption Place opened in February 2023. This 7,500-square-foot log cabin is made up of community rooms, meeting spaces, a kitchen, gym, game room, salt cave, and much more. Sitting on 10 acres donated by Summit County, the facility also provides outdoor space for nature-focused wellness activities.
Hope United and Tyler’s Redemption Place are proudly certified by several accrediting organizations, including the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, to operate as a peer recovery organization. In addition to hosting peer support meetings, grief and family support programs, wellness programs and job readiness classes, Tyler’s Redemption Place is also home to a drop-in facility where people can immediately talk to a peer supporter. Since the peer-support program’s launch in August, several participants have gotten back into treatment. On average, 800 people come through the doors of Tyler’s Redemption Place each month seeking the support they need to lead healthier lives.
Shelly says recovery community organizations like Hope United, which are run primarily by those in recovery themselves, are changing outcomes one-by-one by meeting people where they are and connecting with them. She believes this approach helps people who may get missed in the system, and with more boots on the ground and by showing more compassion, we can save more lives.