On Sunday, December 7, 2025, Alvis hosted a heartfelt Celebration of Life at our headquarters to honor Virginia “Ginny” O’Keeffe—a visionary leader, advocate, and founder of the Amethyst program. Surrounded by Amethyst alumni, community partners, and friends, including the ZONTA Club of Columbus, we gathered to pay tribute to a woman whose work transformed thousands of lives.
Ginny was a trailblazer in behavioral health treatment for women. In the 1980s, when few women held leadership roles in human services, Ginny recognized a critical gap: programs designed for men were simply being “rebranded” for women, and they weren’t working. With courage and determination, Ginny and the other Founding Mothers of Amethyst pioneered a gender-responsive treatment model that addressed the unique and interconnected needs of women—trauma, addiction, and mental health—in an integrated way.
Breaking Barriers for Women and Families
Ginny’s vision didn’t stop at treatment. She understood that many women would never seek help if it meant leaving their children behind. So, Amethyst became one of the first programs in the nation to allow children to live with their mothers during treatment. Later, Ginny expanded services to include afterschool programs and summer camps, ensuring that children had the support they needed to break cycles of trauma and addiction.
A Partnership That Secured the Future
In 2016, Ginny approached Alvis with a bold idea: merge Amethyst with Alvis to ensure its survival. That conversation led to Amethyst officially joining the Alvis family in 2017—our 50th anniversary year. Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to honor Ginny’s vision, continuing the Amethyst brand and expanding evidence-informed programs for women and children. Today, we are close to completing a new Amethyst campus that will co-locate recovery housing, treatment, and children’s programs into a true Community of Recovery, complete with workforce development opportunities.
A Legacy That Lives On
Ginny passed away on October 21, 2025, but her impact is immeasurable. Thousands of women are living in recovery today because Ginny saw them in all their complexity and fought for a better way forward. Her work didn’t just change lives—it changed systems.
Our President and CEO, Denise M. Robinson, shared:
“When we came together, it felt like Alvis was closing the circle of care for the women and children we serve. I am overwhelmed with gratitude that Ginny chose Alvis to help secure the future of Amethyst.”
Help Us Keep Ginny’s Spirit Alive
At the Celebration of Life, guests shared memories on butterfly cards and added their thumbprints to a beautiful purple floral butterfly canvas—a tribute that will become Ginny’s Wall at Amethyst.
This design carries deep meaning:
- Purple is the color of addiction recovery, symbolizing hope, healing, and transformation.
- The butterfly represents rebirth and hope, reflecting the journey from a difficult past to a beautiful future.
- The flower signifies growth and new beginnings, honoring Ginny’s vision of helping women and families bloom into brighter tomorrows.
We invite you to join us in honoring Ginny’s legacy. Share your memories, support our programs, and help us build a future where women and children can thrive in recovery.
Thank you, Ginny, for showing us what’s possible. Your light will never fade.
