Flick's Fourth Speaker Series and Human Services Expo Highlights Community Resources and Opioid Awareness

April 24, 2026

WILLIAMSPORT – On Thursday, April 23, Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) hosted his fourth annual Speaker Series and Human Services Expo at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The events served as opportunities to explore services and hear from voices working on the challenges communities face. 

The topic of this year’s speaker series was Opioid Addiction: Loss, Recovery and Hope. It featured a powerful lineup of speakers who addressed the challenges communities continue to face and the progress being made. Speakers included Reps. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and Dan Williams (D-Chester), chairs of the House Human Services Committee; Carolyn Miele, founder of Saving Lives for Zachary; Marc Lovecchio, an attorney and former Lycoming County judge; Kevin McNamara, a father who lost his son to an overdose; Kydreece Burks, an alumni of Williamsport Area High School and current senior at Penn State University; and Jennier Reeder, assistant director of West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission.

Throughout all of the presentations, a consistent message emerged: the devastating impact of opioids on individuals and families, and the importance of remembering the humanity of those impacted.

“These were very raw and real stories that were shared,” Flick said. “I am grateful for their willingness to speak openly, as it helps reduce stigma and brings hope to families who are still struggling.”

Marc Lovecchio, an attorney and former Lycoming County judge, talked about how he lost his younger brother, David, to addiction and how that experience continues to shape his work and advocacy.

“Substance use disorder is an equal opportunity killer,” Lovecchio said. “I grew up in a nice family; there were six of us. When my brother was at his worst, or lowest, he ruined my family. It’s taken me 15 years to be able to cope with the guilt that I thought I had control over it. I still have a lot of hope. There is treatment out there, education is important.”

Carolyn Miele, who has been outspoken about the death of her son, Zachary, in 2016, told the audience her son’s story took a tragic turn when he started using marijuana. Miele said that experience led her to start her nonprofit named after her son to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and to help families recognize the early warning signs before addiction takes hold.

“There were a lot of people who had lost their children at the same time I lost Zachary,” Miele said. “I hate to see other families go through what I’ve gone through. Substance abuse thrives in silence and misunderstanding, but it loses its power when communities come together with knowledge and compassion.”

Jennifer Reeder, assistant director at West Branch Drug and Alcohol, ended the Speaker Series by providing an update on the number of overdoses in Lycoming County. She said the county has seen a 62% drop in overdose deaths over the past year.

Reeder also provided an overview for the services her agency provides. 

“We’re looking at all the hurdles that prevent people getting engaged with recovery,” Reeder said. “We want to make sure we ease that process as much as we can.”

The Human Services Expo featured around 70 vendors offering a wide range of community resources, connecting attendees to services related to aging, autism, behavioral health, career development, children and adolescents, diverse physical and intellectual abilities, early intervention, housing and transportation, independent living, medical assistance, mental health, substance abuse, veterans’ services and more.

“Families tell me every day how overwhelming it can be to track down services,” Flick said. “As a member of the House Human Services Committee, I’m glad to see this expo can make that process simpler by bringing so many essential resources together for the community.”

New to the Expo this year were the Williamsport Police Department; Technology for our Whole Lives (TechOWL); PPL Electric Utilities’ Wrap Program; Dad's Resource Center and resources on custody; and United Churches of Lycoming County.

American Rescue Workers (ARW) has participated in the expo each year it has taken place. 
The nonprofit provides homelessness and hunger prevention services in Lycoming County. 

Jennifer Rempe, director of Development and Community Engagement at ARW, said the organization finds a lot of value in the expo.

“It’s great for us to get out and be in the public,” Rempe said. “We can really get the word out about the food component along with the social services part. We can also network with all the other vendors, which helps us support each other’s work.”

Students from Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Physician Assistant Program offered complimentary blood pressure screenings. Staff from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, along with students and staff from Penn College’s Information Technology Program, provided information about cybersecurity and scams.

Todd Burke, from Catawissa, came to the expo looking to connect with information about drug and alcohol awareness. 

“I think it’s great to have the variety of different resources,” Burke said. “You can go from table to table and talk to people, and based on your family’s needs, get the resources you need.”

1.) Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) stands in front of the crowd at his Speaker Series held at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) along with Reps. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and Dan Williams (D-Chester), chairs of the House Human Services Committee address the crowd during the Speaker Series.

Marc Lovecchio, an attorney and former Lycoming County judge; Kevin McNamara, a father who lost his son to an overdose; Carolyn Miele, founder of Saving Lives for Zachary; Kydreece Burks, an alumni of Williamsport Area High School and current senior at Penn State University sit in front of the room during the Speaker Series.

Jennier Reeder, assistant director of West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, stands at a podium during Rep. Jamie Flick’s Speaker Series.

Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) talks with Todd Burke and his wife during the Human Services Expo.

Rep. Jamie Flick talks with Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford/Lycoming/Sullivan/Tioga/Union) during Flick’s Human Services Expo.

A member of the community stops to talk with someone at the YWCA Northcentral PA’s table during Rep. Jamie Flick’s Human Services Expo.

Representative Jamie Flick
83rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andrew Forgotch
717-772-9905
aforgotch@pahousegop.com