The John Kivela Legacy Fund helps the nonprofit Great Lakes Recovery Centers provide services to individuals and families struggling with addiction in communities throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The fund is part of GLRC's Foundation and money will be distributed with input from the Kivela family.
The fund was started by the Kivela family and others to give back to Marquette and the other U.P. communities that John loved and served so passionately. His daughter, Shelby, wrote shortly after his death:
"In one of the dozens and dozens of messages people have sent in the last few hours someone called him a "Champion for the UP" & I think that's the best thing I've ever heard. He battled his disease and continued to be an incredible advocate for our corner of Michigan. The time I spent campaigning with him for his first run for State Rep is still one of the proudest times of my life.
...I'm not ashamed to talk about the last two years of my dad's life that have been extremely difficult and will continue to speak out more as addiction is now closer to my heart than ever. "
The fund was started by the Kivela family and others to give back to Marquette and the other U.P. communities that John loved and served so passionately. His daughter, Shelby, wrote shortly after his death:
"In one of the dozens and dozens of messages people have sent in the last few hours someone called him a "Champion for the UP" & I think that's the best thing I've ever heard. He battled his disease and continued to be an incredible advocate for our corner of Michigan. The time I spent campaigning with him for his first run for State Rep is still one of the proudest times of my life.
...I'm not ashamed to talk about the last two years of my dad's life that have been extremely difficult and will continue to speak out more as addiction is now closer to my heart than ever. "
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. There is hope and there is help: 800-273-8255.