Your future is in your hands. You just have to plant the right seeds.
– Master Choa Kok Sui
Your future is in your hands. You just have to plant the right seeds.
– Master Choa Kok Sui
Our Story
We Share Your Journey
In 2021, Joe Brady found inspiration for Unicorns & Polka Dots while he and his wife, Karen, were raising their two grandchildren after the tragic loss of their daughter, Brianna, to an accidental opioid overdose.
It’s Time for the Narrative to Change
Changing the stigma or perception of SUD takes a village. The road to recovery can be rough. Individuals and their families struggling with SUD often need help navigating the fragmented recovery process. With your help, we’re building a recovery college for SUD offering resources for prevention, treatment and recovery.
New Events Scheduled for 2025
Unicorns & Polka Dots is excited to announce five upcoming events/workshops to help individuals in recovery. These events are FREE for individuals in recovery but space is limited and reservations are required. Click on each one for more details.
- Distraction Management: Maximize Your Productivity & Ability to Focus on Relevance
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 6 pm-8 pm
The Edna House for Women
Event Details - LIVE READY – Part 1: Fundamentals of Personal Security
Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 6 pm - 8 pm
Journey Church Auditorium
Event Details - Visionary Landscape: Art Therapy Workshop for Men & Women In Recovery
Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Community West Foundation
Event Details - Healing from Within: Holistic Tools for Recovery & Resilience for Men & Women in Recovery
TBD - Look for new date coming soon
Journey Church Auditorium
Event Details - LIVE READY – Part 2: Defense Against Guns & Knives
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 6 pm - 8 pm
Journey Church Auditorium
Event Details
Unicorns & Polka Dots Hosts Second Introduction to Chakras Workshop
After great feedback from our first Introduction to Chakras workshop, Unicorns & Polka Dots hosted a second one on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Led by instructors Wendy and Michelle, participants learned the ancient wisdom of chakras and how to harmonize your mind, body, and spirit. Several participants noted what a powerful, awesome event this was.
Second Annual Overcoming Fear Firewalk Event is a Huge Success
Over 70 men and women in recovery joined Unicorns & Polka Dots for our second Overcoming Fear Firewalk Event on September 28, 2024. The evening was filled with inspiring messages, strategies to help participants face and overcome fears, and stories sharing individuals' struggles and support. Participants had the opportunity to walk on crushed glass, bend steel rods by working together, break boards, and walk on hot embers.
As one participant stated, "This was life changing! I feel so empowered to tackle whatever life throws at me."
Live Panel Discussion on Reducing the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder
On September 19, The Hudson Community Foundation (HCF) hosted an impactful, live panel discussion titled "Breaking the Silence: Reducing the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder & Accessing Resources". Unicorns & Polka Dots' founder, Joe Brady, participated in the event, along with Dr. Nicole Labor, DO, FASAM. The event was live-streamed on HCF's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/myhcf.
Personal Security Self-Defense Workshop Promotes Self-Confidence
Unicorns & Polka Dots hosted the first of two personal self-defense workshops on August 1 and it was a great success!
Conducted by Sam Rosenberg, founder of Live Ready and internationally recognized expert on personal safety, the event gave participants first-hand knowledge, insights and hands-on training for defending themselves.
One participant stated, "This was the very best and most informative workshop I have ever attended! My self-confidence is skyrocketing!"
Part 2 of our self-defense series will be on Thursday, October 10. Click here for more info or to register.
More than 150 People Attend Dr. Nicole Labor's Presentation
On Thursday, June 13, more than 150 people gathered to hear Dr. Nicole Labor deconstruct and addiction and provide valuable insight into substance use disorder (SUD).
The lecture given by Dr. Labor was fantastic and extremely well received.
To view the video of this event, click here.
Unicorns & Polka Dots and Dr. Nicole Labor Featured on WKYC Cleveland
Unicorns & Polka Dots and Dr. Nicole Labor were recently featured in a segment on Cleveland's NBC affiliate, WKYC.
Joe Brady and Dr. Labor discussed the upcoming event and what attendees can expect to learn during the presentation.
First Healing Pathways Yoga Workshop a Great Success!
On Saturday, March 16th, Unicorns & Polka Dots was pleased to host a Yoga and Mindfulness Workshop for those in recovery. The event was very well attended!
A special shout out to our instructor, Mandy McIntyre, CEO of Levelup-Consultants (and a board member for Unicorns & Polka Dots) for such an awesome session.
As one participant noted, Unicorns & Polka Dots continues to offer workshops and events that are relevant and powerful to the healing process. And an extra special thank you to Tom Truelson with Forest Historical and Specialty Roofing for donating yoga mats for all participants.
Unicorns & Polka Dots Hosts a Credit Repair Workshop for Individuals in Recovery
On January 18, 2024, Mr. Bob Willis, CEO of Credit Repair Resources, conducted a fantastic workshop for men and women in recovery to discuss best practices to help restore and rebuild damaged credit. Bob also destroyed a number of myths surrounding the credit topic.
As one participant stated, “This workshop was phenomenal – I learned so much about the strategies and activities to practice to position myself for a solid and favorable credit record. Thank you to Unicorns & Polka Dots for bringing such a valuable resource to our recovery community!”
To learn more about Credit Repair Resources, visit www.crr760.com
Unicorns & Polka Dots forms Recovery Council
Unicorns & Polka Dots is excited to announce that we have recently formed a Recovery Council, comprised of a select number of men and women in recovery.
Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots states, "The wisdom, insights and ideas the members of our Recovery Council can share will provide valuable guidance as to how best to leverage our time, energy and activities to further strengthen the chances for successful recovery. Additionally, the information they share will continue to fuel our passion to make a significant difference in the lives of those working so hard in their recovery journey."
Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots, addresses CWRU Medical Students
On September 27, 2023, Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots, was one of several panelists who spoke to medical students at Case Western Reserve University regarding his experiences and perspectives on the impact of opiate use disorder on affected family members.
This was part of the medical student elective course on the opioid epidemic. Panelists and other family members affected by opiate use disorder also participated in the event.
Face & Overcome Fear - 16th Annual Gregg Gilder Memorial Firewalk
On Saturday, September 16, over 130 people joined us for a moving night facing and overcoming fear.
Two speakers helped participants unleash their personal power to understand the role fear plays in our lives and how to overcome it. We got a greater understanding of the powerful mind-body connection and how it works in our daily lives.
If we can share one takeaway from this powerful event it would be this: developing and implementing strategies to manage and navigate through fear will allow you to generate the upward mobility to keep making progress and realize your dreams.
Participants were also able to take part in various events including breaking boards, walking on glass and firewalking (walking on hot embers).
Joe Brady, Unicorns & Polka Dots Recognized at Luncheon Celebrating 25th Anniversary of Drug Court
The fight against substance use disorder (SUD) is never ending. Since its inception in 1998, nearly 2,000 people have successfully completed the Judge Larry A. Jones Drug Court program, benefiting not just the individuals involved, but also the community in which they live. On September 8, 2023, hundreds of people helped the Greater Cleveland Drug Court celebrate its 25th anniversary.
During the ceremony, the Court honored Joe Brady, founder of Unicorns & Polka Dots, for his work to help those battling substance use disorder in memory of his daughter, Brianna.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
20 MILLION AMERICANS suffer from substance use disorder.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
Source: National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
Source: National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services
OVER 100,000 PEOPLE DIE from overdoses in America each year.
ONLY 11% of adults with substance use disorder receive treatment.
OVER 100,000 PEOPLE DIE from overdoses in America each year.
Source: CDC