In an effort to raise awareness about the growing opioid crisis, the Hilary Grace Foundation has donated a rainbow-colored bench, which has been installed behind Christ the King Chapel in Bart Mitchell Quad. This is one of ten benches that the foundation is placing throughout the Western New York. Each bench is dedicated to the memory of Hilary Grace White, who tragically passed away from an opioid addiction in 2017 at the age of 27.
The benches serve as a reminder of Hilary’s story, which is shared on the foundation’s website, with the URL printed on a plaque on each bench.
Hilary, who graduated from Canisius in 2012 with a bachelor’s in psychology and was pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at the time of her death, had initially been prescribed medication for a health condition. Despite working hard to overcome her addiction and maintaining sobriety for nearly a year, she relapsed and died after consuming an opioid laced with fentanyl. Hilary’s goal was to help others facing similar struggles. In her honor, the foundation funds an annual scholarship for students in the university’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program, supporting the mission to help others in need.
For more information, visit hilarygracefoundation.org.
Submitted by: Mary Ellen Bakowski, Director of Legacy Giving and Stewardship
