For over 50 years, Positive Directions has been providing Fairfield County mental health & substance misuse services through community prevention, counseling, and recovery support.

Positive Directions will NEVER refuse treatment based on an individual’s ability to pay. 100% of event proceeds will go to Positive Directions' ongoing support of mental health services and substance use prevention.

On the morning of December 7, 1967, Westporter Marie Fitzsimmons woke up and, after years of hard drinking, made the decision to never drink again.

Four years later, her brother died of alcoholism.

Back then, people were largely dismissive of alcoholics. Fitzsimmons says, “People felt weakness was a sin, a moral issue.” Those who drank excessively were an embarrassment to friends and family, so the affliction was ignored.

She took immediate action — 12 years before Betty Ford opened her own clinic.

For 10 years, without compensation or help, she raised funds, counseled individuals, and managed its administration.

Today, Fitzsimmons’ organization — now Positive Directions — continues to offer professional therapy and substance abuse counseling to anyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay.