Chris Herren, former NBA player, now travels across the country speaking to young people about his drug and alcohol abuse and recovery through the Herren Project. In September 2016, he gave his motivational talk to students at York Catholic High School. What made this presentation different was the family of Spencer Kubala sitting in the front row.
Spencer, a 2012 graduate of York Catholic, died in January 2016 of a heroin overdose. As a former high school basketball player, Spencer looked up to Herren. Spencer’s family started the Spencer Kubala Legacy Fund at YCCF to provide scholarship assistance for a senior student at York Catholic High School who exemplifies the qualities Spencer possessed: kindness, caring to all, and a genuine concern for those in need. The fund will also provide an annual grant to the Herren Project to help people with their addiction and recovery, including being a source for anyone from York who inquires about help.
Spencer’s family remembers a young man who was adored for his smile and caring disposition. By sharing his story and bringing love and support to those struggling with addiction, Spencer’s family and friends want to break the stigmas about substance addiction. Through education, they hope to spare other young people their son’s fate, and honor his memory forever.
OVERDOSE DEATHS IN YORK COUNTY, WITH
MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE ATTRIBUTED
TO HEROIN. AS A COMMUNITY, WE ARE
WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THIS
EPIDEMIC. MEMORIAL HEALTH FUND, A
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION OF YCCF, GAVE
A GRANT TO THE YORK REGIONAL OPIATE
COLLABORATIVE TO HELP ADDRESS OPIATE
USE, ADDICTION, AND OVERDOSE IN
OUR COMMUNITY.
