Creativity, Connection & Healing: Our Vision for Community Impact
The Blackburn Foundation’s mission has always focused on extending hope, recovery, and long-term support to individuals and families affected by addiction. We are now expanding that mission by opening the Blackburn Creative Community Center — a free, welcoming space in West Los Angeles where music, art, and creative expression become tools for healing, confidence, and community.
Why Creativity Matters
Creativity reaches people in ways that words alone often can’t. Music and visual art can spark joy, build confidence, and create pride — especially for those in recovery when traditional tools like therapy or meetings fall short. Creative expression gives people a chance to feel alive again, to reconnect with themselves, and to feel seen.
What the Center Will Offer
• Music Programming: free lessons, weekly recovery-based music night, supportive performances
• Art Classes & Exhibits: beginner drawing/painting, visual art workshops, monthly gallery shows
• Community Support: free counseling, mentorship, peer support meetings, and community gatherings
All programming will be free, inclusive, and low-barrier, ensuring that cost,
background, or experience never stand in the way of participation.
Join Us in Making This Possible
We are currently fundraising to secure the space and sustain operations for the first year. With your support, this center will grow into a self-sustaining beacon of creativity, connection, and healing for Los Angeles.
SOMEONE DIES OF A DRUG OVERDOSE EVERY 5 MINUTES
MORE THAN 23 MILLON AMERICANS ARE IN ACTIVE ADDICTION
90% OF THOSE IN NEED ARE UNABLE TO ACCESS LIFESAVING TREATMENT
Randy Browne
Founding Director, Blackburn Creative Community Center
Originally from Long Island and now based in Los Angeles, Randy spent over a decade touring before a battle with addiction caused him to lose his passion for music. He ultimately rediscovered his drive by helping others tap into their own creativity. Today, drawing on his extensive experience teaching across the country, Randy works with the Blackburn Music and Art Initiative to help people in recovery rediscover joy and a passion for living through the arts.
As Founding Director of the Blackburn Creative Community Center, Randy leads the development and launch of this new branch of the Foundation and will oversee its daily operations. He will guide music and arts programming, mentors participants, coordinates instructors and volunteers, and ensures the space remains welcoming, structured, and mission-aligned. In addition to running the Center, Randy builds community outreach efforts, forming partnerships with local organizations, schools, and recovery communities, and organizing service-oriented creative projects that extend the Center’s impact beyond its walls. Drawing from both his lived experience and professional background, Randy shapes the Center’s creative vision while fostering a culture of accountability, encouragement, and service—helping individuals not only create, but reconnect with purpose, contribution, and possibility.
As Founding Director of the Blackburn Creative Community Center, Randy leads the development and launch of this new branch of the Foundation and will oversee its daily operations. He will guide music and arts programming, mentors participants, coordinates instructors and volunteers, and ensures the space remains welcoming, structured, and mission-aligned. In addition to running the Center, Randy builds community outreach efforts, forming partnerships with local organizations, schools, and recovery communities, and organizing service-oriented creative projects that extend the Center’s impact beyond its walls. Drawing from both his lived experience and professional background, Randy shapes the Center’s creative vision while fostering a culture of accountability, encouragement, and service—helping individuals not only create, but reconnect with purpose, contribution, and possibility.
The Blackburn Foundation was created to fund up to 12 months of the best addiction and mental health treatment. Founded by addiction field veteran Robert Patrick, with a cutting-edge team of experts, the Blackburn Foundation relies on a 12 step continuum of care recovery protocol.
Built on the principle that access to care is a basic human right, our scholarship program aims to break the cycle of addiction and empower individuals on their journey towards lasting recovery. Together we can make a difference and provide the resources necessary for change.
The Problem
Drug overdose rates are 3.5 times higher than 17 other high-income countries, and 27 times higher than italy and japan. This level of preventable mortality is contributing to an unparalleled decline in U.S. life expectancy.
Short-sighted Recovery Model
Even with insurance, few providers cover more than 6 weeks of treatment. The current 30-day treatment model is statistically proven to be ineffective. The relapse rate decreases from 60% to 17% or less with a long-term treatment model.
Massive Public Cost
The annual cost of substance abuse to the. U.S. Is over $500 billion. This includes the cost of mortality, law enforcement, judicial proceedings, state and federal services, hospitalizations, and incarcerations.
Everyone Is Affected
For the first time in recorded history teen drug Overdose rates are rising. A problem that was once Stereotyped to the lower classes of our society Has become a national epidemic.
The SOLUTION
Fueled by powerful partnerships across the fields of addiction and mental health treatment. The Blackburn foundation's "Hope" program fully funds up to twelve months of life saving support. Without Help, meaningful care is inaccessible and cost prohibitive for 90% of americans.
Donate
The Blackburn foundations team of experts will asses each persons individual needs and create a personalized treatment plan. A custom scalable approach allows for support to be provided where its most needed. Intervention, detox & residential treatment, intensive out patient treatment, transitional living, therapy, psychiatry, mentoring, spiritual counseling and aftercare services are provided on a case by case basis.
Jaime Garza, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Jaime Garza is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health. He has developed nationally recognized substance use treatment programs and led the design of comprehensive crisis systems of care in multiple states that have empowered thousands to achieve lasting recovery.
At the Blackburn Foundation, Dr. Garza is dedicated to turning the Board’s vision into reality by building a sustainable funding ecosystem that connects trusted providers, donors, and referral networks. His leadership drives the Foundation’s mission to expand access to high-quality addiction care, transforming lives and strengthening communities across the nation.
OUR BOARD
Robert Patrick
President - Board Chair
Robert has been the Owner and Operator at Blackburn Recovery, from January of 2012 to today. He has over 40,000 hours of hands-on experience working in the field of Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment. His duties and responsibilities include networking, monthly board meetings, client assessment and application process, as well as administrative oversight.
Nathan Blumenfeld-james
Vice President / Vice Chair
Nathan has been a creative executive at Steven Bochco Productions for over 15 years. In that time, he has overseen development, creation and production of multi-media content with an emphasis oanmusic supervision, scoring and composition. He is also the owner and founder of BLKMKT music, a full-service music house for T.V., film and advertising. He has used his experience in the entertainment industry to help young men in early sobriety find their passion and purpose, through strategy and network. He is the director of Blackburn Mentoring Services, has over 20 years of sobriety and has been working in treatment and substance abuse and recovery industry for over a decade. His duties and responsibilities include networking, monthly board meetings as well as client assessment an application process.
Mark Vizioli
Director Of Admissions
Mark has 29 years of experience in recovery, over 12 years in professional recovery service & ministry and is the Co-founder of EARS (European Association of Recovery Specialists. He also holds an STB/ MDiv from the Pontifical University St. Thomas Aquinas / Angelicum, CIP (Certified Intervention Professional) & CRC (Certified Recovery Coach) Sober Academy, RADT (Registered Alcohol Drug Technician Credential) CCAPP. His memberships include the following: National Association of Catholic Chaplains • National Association for Lay Ministry • Association for Practical Theology • Princeton Association UK • American Communication Association • Mystical Theology Network at Oxford. His duties and responsibilities include networking, as well as client assessment and application process.
IAN LANSBURY SHAW
Director of Community Partnership
Ian graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business with a major in Business Management and a Minor in Real Estate Development. He is the Owner and Operator of Spear Recovery Inc., as well as the Owner and Operator of Webster Shaw Properties LLC. Previously he worked at Blackburn Recovery as a Sober Living House Manager (2018), Patoma Inc, dealing with Building Management and Building Investments (2013 - 2017), and CBRE as a real estate broker (2012 - 2013). His duties and responsibilities include networking, monthly board meetings, as well as client assessment an application process.
Christopher Huitfeldt
COO - Co Chair
Christopher has an MBA, CCMI-M, and a CIP. He has been a behavioral health professional for the last 8 years, and has been instrumental in both the start up and corporate organizations he’s contributed to in the treatment industry.
His duties and responsibilities include networking, monthly board meetings, client assessment an application process as well as being the secretary.
MELISSA PROULX
Treasurer
Melissa started her career at IBM in 2012 and moved into the mental health and substance abuse field in 2014. Her company, Stone Harbor Strategies, has worked with industry leaders such as Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Casa Bella Recovery Services, Blackburn Recovery, Resolutions Living, and more. Her duties and responsibilities include monthly board meetings, accounting, and bookkeeping.
Josh Cobia
Advocate Director
Josh has 15 years of experience in various non-profits. He has been a Pastor for 13 years at Cal Church, Resonate and New Abbey. He is also a trained spiritual director and coach. Josh is committed to upholding the Mission and Purpose of the organization, maintaining 501(c)(3) status, ensuring compliance with non-profit regulations, strategic planning and community relations to enhance organizational impact.
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
By 2028, we plan to open a Blackburn Foundation campus in West Los Angeles on over 20,000 sq ft of land. This state-of-the- art facility will incorporate addiction, spiritual, nutritional, professional, and wellness-driven services in wide open, inspiring spaces. The Blackburn recovery campus will be a transformational resourse for our community. Our vision is to replicate this model in all major cities across the country. Stay tuned for more exciting developments.