Spring 2014

ASSOCIATION NEWS
Dave Ketter, Clinical Supervisor In the last issue of the Coffee Cup Ken quoted a medical addiction specialist who, in making a comparison between addiction treatment and diabetes treatment noted that, when one receives treatment for diabetes, “Nobody hugs and cries and sends you off to a church basement.” The doctor was making the point that most addiction treatment is not medically sound. Ken noted that the author was probably throwing out a straw man, but still the implication gnawed at me. Lots of good happens in support groups of all kinds in church basements where individuals come together to actively engage with one another as participants in their own and each other’s recovery.

Dr. Ken Gregoire & Da ve Ketter

Throughout my career, many experts, including me, have drawn analogies between recovery for addiction disease and for diabetes. No doubt this is because both are chronic illnesses and both are diseases in which a successful treatment outcome requires the life-long, active participation of the patient. (At this point I am inclined to mention the patient’s “personal responsibility” for recovery but those two words can sound so judgmental that I am shy to use them. For this article I will stick with patient participation.) In my mind the intended insult to traditional addiction treatment of the church basement gathering is actually a compliment to our field. While medical experts, including pharmaceutical companies, have developed some treatments for symptoms that occur on the periphery of addiction disease they have not found any consistently more effective treatments than gathering in church basements and seeking the support of others. Just as addicts forget that they are powerless, so to do diabetic patients often demonstrate a form of denial by eating the wrong foods or the wrong amounts of food they have been told are harmful to their health. For addicts, regular attendance at 12 Step meetings serves as a reminder that their illness has not gone away but rather is in remission only as long as the first drink/use is avoided. We have found no way around the recovery requirement for addicts to participate in their own recovery by making conscious daily decisions about where they go, whom they associate with and how they spend their time. Patients must actively participate in their treatment in order for it to be effective, just as diabetic patients must not only be informed about necessary dietary practices but able to follow prescribed practices. As with addiction diseases, peer support and encouragement can be beneficial to managing diabetes. According to the Defeat Diabetes website, a 2010 University of Michigan Health System published an article in Annals of Internal Medicine that noted: “A simple weekly phone call(s) with a peer facing the same self-management challenges helped diabetes patients manage their conditions and improve their blood sugar levels better than those who used traditional nurse care management services alone.” Long ago, when I was a young counselor I was, like the medical expert, also troubled by the “second class” nature of addiction treatment. We did not have any cool, sophisticated diagnostic machines or surgical interventions, and we had no aspirin to “cure” the heartache, frustration, and loss our patients were suffering from. We still don’t have great tools of that kind, but we do have the powerful experience, strength, and hope of others in recovery that we know helps many individuals avoid taking that first drink/drug. Even without complicated technological gadgets and miracle medications I like to think that our field has contributed to the larger medical community by demonstrating the value of having patients actively participate in their recovery. For example, when my mother delivered her six children, including me (her favorite, I think) she was given ether by the doctor who in turn accepted responsibility for the safe delivery of the

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Association
Stay in Touch

1

Visit, www.valleyhope.org and click on Alumni and Friends link and ‘STAY IN TOUCH’ to receive emails about Renewal Days, special events and participate in the Coffee Cup questions and answers. You’ll be the first to see the Coffee Cup newsletter online.

www.valleyhope.org

Coffee Cup
A Newsletter for Valley Hope Alumni & Friends

LETTERS TO THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE & INDEX

VOLUME 46 EDITION 1
Editorial Committee (left to right) Lydia Iacobucci, Megan O’Connor, Tamela Wessel

The Valley Hope Coffee Cup newsletter is published quarterly. If you’d like to submit something or make a comment/suggestion, email [email protected] or call 1-800-654-0496 or write: Editorial Committee PO Box 510 Norton, KS 67654

We hope you enjoy our new look!
You can read the Coffee Cup online at www.valleyhope.org. If you prefer to NOT receive a hard copy and view it online, we will remove your name from the Coffee Cup mailing list. Please give us a call at 1-800-654-0486 or email us at [email protected]

Page

INDEX

1. Assocation News 3. Reflections on Grattitude What is AC/ESS 4. Spotlight on 12 Steps 5. Family Matters Carry the message 7. Foundation 9. Donations 11. Renewal Days 13. Friends & Alumni 14. Kansas 15. Oklahoma 16. Missouri 17. Nebraska 18. Arizona 20. Texas/Colorado 22. You asked... & Just for laughs

2

REFLECTIONS
Reflections - Holly Krebsbach, MS, LPC, LISAC - Clinical Supervisor, Outpatient Services
The word reflection has many synonyms. Meditation, rumination, deliberation, cogitation, study, thinking, imputation, aspersion, reproach, and criticism. These words can mean many different things to many different people. I rather like the word “study” when I look back on the last year in reflection. I have studied and learned a lot in the last year, more than I care to admit. In addition to studying my life in the last year, I have undoubtedly learned about myself and my relationships, no question. When the word “cancer” suddenly applies to your family and isn’t just on TV, everything comes to a screeching halt. You are forced to deal with the reality of your life which can be good, bad, or just plain ugly. Self-centeredness or weakness becomes glaringly obvious and the positive is hard to see under the glaring darkness of this diagnosis. It is amazing to me how a diagnosis can turn your world upside down in an instant. It is equally amazing to me how a person’s character is very apparent in a situation such as a health crisis. Priorities become clearer and suddenly the minor irritations of the day become insignificant and petty. As I “studied” my relationships and those that I have surrounded myself with over the years, I “learned” more about my choices and motives. I made friendships based on wanting to be challenged in life. I want my relationships to challenge me and redirect me when I get off track. I want honesty in all of my relationships even if I don’t like what is said. I also looked at some of the other relationships in my life that I started to evaluate more seriously. I found that I still had a cancer, so to speak, in my life that I needed to remove. This is often harder to do than one might think. Just as any cancer survivor will tell you, the treatment process is often painful and agonizing physically and emotionally. The emotional surgery that is required for such a spiritual change is very taxing and requires a significant amount of meditation and reflection. The questions and criticisms of one’s life become arduous. But in the end, if one is willing, the learning process to discover the purpose in life is bigger than one can imagine. Cancer comes in many forms, but if it is treated as an opportunity to better one’s self, it can bring tremendous growth and peace.

Reflections
What is AC/ESS?

REFLECTIONS

AC/ESS

Valley Hope has an AC/ESS program which is a tele-health program in outpatient that has been up and running for over six years now. AC/ESS stands for Accessible Care Effective Support Services. AC/ESS utilizes phone, internet, and face to face therapy which offers patients a more flexible way to do treatment. AC/ESS is ideal for those that live in rural areas, have health problems, unique schedule or simply want a more flexible and individualized treatment option. There are several programs AC/ESS offers to patients and family members who have been impacted by the disease of addiction.

Intensive Outpatient

IOP consists of nine hours per week for 2-6 weeks of chemical dependency treatment facilitated online. Individual sessions are conducted each week and can be done via phone or in person. Daily log in is required and the intake will need to be done in person. Family members are also invited to participate in a group discussion with other family members online for an hour per week as part of the patient’s IOP program.

IOP Plus

WHAT IS AC/ESS?

IOP plus is the best of both worlds with using in person group therapy three times per week and online therapy daily for 2-6 weeks. This program is also nine hours per week.

F amily Intensive Outpatient

Family IOP is nine hours per week for three weeks. An individual session is conducted each week via phone or in person. This program is offered to anyone who has been effected by the family disease of addiction. The family member does not have to have a patient in the Valley Hope system to participate in this program.

Continuing Care

After a patient completes IOP or residential treatment, he/she will step down to continuing care for a year. This group is offered online and a minimum of one hour per week is required for participation, however patients are not charged for participating for more than one hour. Patients tend to participate on average of 2.5 hours per week due to easy access to treatment.

Concurrent Continuing Care DUI Services

Concurrent continuing care is a combination of online and face to face therapy. The patient can participate in group therapy online an hour per week and in person once a week. DUI services are currently offered through the Tempe location at this time. We offer DUI screenings and revocation packets in person. DUI Education classes and DUI treatment classes are offered online after a screening is completed. There is group discussion, videos, quizzes and individual work in these classes online. For more information, please contact your local outpatient facility to inquire further.

3

SPOTLIGHT ON 12 STEPS
Our Sober Approach to God Chaplain Ken Davila - Grapevine Valley Hope
As a Chaplain in a treatment facility I have had the opportunity to hear many stories from people. I hear many hardships in sessions as I meet patients. There is often a common refrain in many of the stories. Not only do the stories tend to sound similar but the response of the patients and what they do with it sound the same as well. Many people have suffered at the hands of others without fault of their own. Take for instance the pain a child feels when they are abused by an alcoholic parent or family member or the person who has suffered great loss because of the actions of someone who was inebriated behind the wheel of a car. Others suffer from their own choices in life and the list of those circumstances can fill my computer hard drive. As a Chaplain I often hear the common refrain of “Why is God doing this to me?”, “Where is God in all the chaos of my life?” We call these types of questions theodicean in nature. They are questions that have to do with the justice of God. Where is God when the world does not make sense? These are the types of questions that Job had as he went through his ordeal in life. We often are stopped by circumstances in our lives that cause us to look up to our higher power and ask, “What the hey?” I suspect you know what I’m talking about. So how do we approach God when life does not make sense? How do we look at an unloving world and see a loving God? How do we make sense of all the chaos in our lives? The second step gives us a clue on how to approach God in a healthy, spiritual, and recovery way that may help. The second step challenges us to come to believe there is a power greater than ourselves that can restore us to sanity. In coming to believe we can assume some things about our higher power. I know what you’re thinking about assuming but hear me out for a minute. If we believe our higher power can restore us He must be the kind of God who can intervene, right? If He can restore us, He is interested in helping us, right? If He can restore us, He must know what is right for us, right? If He can restore us, He must be a powerful God, right? The idea behind step two challenges us to dismiss our old ways of thinking of God and come to a place where we choose to believe He loves us enough to restore us. Often we choose to believe God is mean or cruel for “doing this” to me. How we come up with that idea is yet another article altogether. But let’s get back to this one. What helps me is to consider that the world He created was not supposed to be this way. The biblical story tells me our first parents got this world off track and He is attempting to restore all of us. If we believed like this, what do you suppose would happen to our relationship with Him? Would it not motivate us to reach out more? Realizing my part in my chaos will help me to surrender to a power greater than me to help me get back on track. When I see my part in my life, I will tend to blame God less and choose to be more responsible for my behaviors. He becomes the one who helps me to do the next right thing, thus limiting the drama in my life. I can choose to follow a set of principles that will not only keep me sober, but will be a blessing to those I come in contact with. I can choose to live in sobriety and live the twelve steps in earnest. Millions have done so; you will find them in meetings. But what about the times when I do not have a part in the chaos in life? How does this help me? Let us consider this for a moment. It is my understanding that we have all been given free will. How we use that matters. Our free will gets us into trouble and our free will can help us live a sober life. Sometimes we suffer because others are using their free will against us. They choose to do the wrong things and often we suffer the results. Drunk drivers who run into your car, the burglar that breaks into your home or the bank robbery that happens when you are at the bank are examples of suffering from others’ choices. There are several ways to address this, but a spiritual way is to practice acceptance that things are not going to go well on this earth at times. Since the Garden of Eden, the world has taken a path that is not intended by God, but His help is always near if we choose to believe He can help and then surrender to His care. I have found in my own life when I maintain my hold on God, He gets me through whatever I am going through. I used to pray for this thing or that thing. But now I only ask God to help me through whatever is coming and to keep me faithful through it. I used to ask God to make my world right and to do this or that for me, but no longer. I realize the world is going to be the world and my approach is to stay close to God so that my chaos stays minimal and He begins to work in my world; His will for me. Surrender to my higher power has minimized my trauma, given me peace of mind, simplified my life and kept me on a sure path for many years. Someday, I believe God is going to make this world right again and we can have all our questions answered. Until then I hold on to Him because I choose to believe He loves me and can take care of me better than I can myself. My hope is that as you have read this article you can choose to believe God is able to help you and turn to Him in a more positive way. As you, too, begin to relate with Him, my hope is that you find the peace and security a loving and caring God can give you. It can happen if you “choose to believe”.

Our Sober Approach to God

SPOTLIGHT ON 12 STEPS

4

FAMILY MATTERS - MOVE OVER, SUPERMAN!
Anne Claussen, BS PLADC - Counselor O’Neill I don’t know if you’ve heard the news…but there’s a new superhero in town. It’s Supermom. This person is the glue that holds the family together. She’s the go-to gal. Are You Hungry? A little short of cash? Need advice? An emotional Band-Aid? Clean clothes? A ride? Support? Help with a project? A volunteer? No problem, call Supermom. The answer is always yes. Supermom isn’t always a mom. Sometimes she’s a sister, friend, or co-worker. In fact, she’s not always female. Dads, brothers and other family members can also qualify. Let’s discuss this role; this person tends to be very loving, caring and giving. I believe when someone becomes a parent, it’s their nature to put themselves second and the child first. This role easily sneaks into other relationships in as well, such as with a spouse, co-workers, friends, family, etc. It’s great to have these characteristics; however, excessive caretaking can become unhealthy. There is such a thing as too much caretaking. It’s no secret that addiction affects family members just as much as it affects the alcoholic/addict. In turn, addiction can turn Supermom’s caretaking into kryptonite. If she’s are not careful, the once “I’ve got it all together” Supermom begins feeling tired, lonely, isolated, exhausted, used, betrayed and resentful. She may still appear to be Supermom on the outside, but if you ask her to focus on herself, she becomes someone who’s scared and insecure, experiencing a flood of emotions. I cannot tell you how many times I have had moms ask me what they can do to help their child with an addiction. They look at me with anticipation, expecting me to reveal one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix and the initial reaction to my answer is usually one of grave disappointment. The first thing they should do is something they already do extremely well. Love the addict, love them unconditionally. Let me be clear, loving does not equate to “caretaking”. It does not require an action. Simply, love is a feeling. Webster’s dictionary defines it as “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties.” Love them. Second, take care of yourself. To many Supermoms, this is like speaking a foreign language. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for the alcoholic/addict is to be the healthiest person you can be. “Me time” is crucial so you don’t turn from Supermom to Lex Luther. Make time to go out to lunch with friends. Enjoy a good book. Take a bubble bath. Pray, meditate, attend Al-anon or anything else that helps you get recharged. Give yourself permission to treat yourself as the loving, caring and giving person you are. It has been my experience that others, including children, learn more from healthy role models than anything else. The healthy Supermom knows that love doesn’t have to include caretaking, she can say “No” without explanation. She can ask for help and know it is okay to take time for herself. She has an identity outside of the different roles she plays. There may be many things in the world that need saving, but Supermom doesn't have a chance unless she takes care of herself first.

FAMILY MATTERS & CARRY THE MESSAGE

POETRY FROM ST. LOUIS VALLEY HOPE
Remembrances - Jeanne K

This little poem is dedicated to my grandsons, Ryan and Ely, to honor their mother, Stacey. My reason for writing this poem is because even though the last few years were tumultuous, I don't want that time to define my daughter-in-law. She was so much more. I’m not a poet but I really wanted to write something, so I think I benefited from some divine intervention. You came into my life one day, a life that seemed pretty fine, I have to say. You were very nice, and genuine, too. We had heart to heart talks, and you made me feel like I mattered to you. And in no time at all, I loved you, too. You had a loving heart, whether visiting older people in the nursing home, or caring for a pet. And I know you touched the hearts of all you met. I watched you change from a young adult, to part of a couple, And in due time, a loving parent, full of wonder. You cared for your family the best way ever. I was so proud of you, you couldn't have been better. You had to leave us way too soon, and at times I can't believe it’s true. We are just so sorry, words cannot even say, we wish it hadn't ended this way. But now we have to carry on, missing you, and caring for your precious ones. You are never more than a thought away, and I think about you every day. I need only look in your children's eyes, to remember your pride--they were the loves of your life.

5

You were very special to me, and to all who loved you. Our lives were made better by knowing and loving you.

Remembrances

GRATEFUL MOM
Susan

EXCERPT FROM: TO MY DEAREST ADDICTION
Rachel L.
You were always there for me, and you didn’t ask much. Very simply my life, my soul, and to be my crutch. So each time I returned to our whirlwind romance Everything I love caught in this high-speed hell But this time, old friend, I mean what is said That girl you fell for is gone and is dead. And from the cold ashes, a phoenix has risen. So thanks for the memories, I shall never forget This heart is still beating and free from regret

Grateful Mom

Our son has been sober for 4 years and Valley Hope was the start of his journey to recovery. He recently told us of another young man he met at Valley Hope who had relapsed multiple times so his future looked bleak and the chance of his remaining sober seemed unlikely. Today this young man is in law school and is thriving, so thank you for never giving up on anyone who comes through your door. Thanks for all that you do to bring hope to individuals and their families. I was thrilled when I found out that my son's friend, who nearly died after falling off of a water tower while he was drunk, is now in law school. I cannot imagine how happy his parents must be because they were so discouraged when I met them several years ago.

And each time I fell harder than I had fallen the last The meaning of life rested in the point of a needle.

The old life was burned and the new life is driven

For as long as I’m breathing and my head is held high My life is worth living, so to my addiction, goodbye.

YOUR SMILE, NOT MINE!
Throughout my time at Valley Hope and in the years thereafter, I learned to use the 12 Steps in my everyday life. When I left treatment, I surrounded myself with like-minded people and did what the necessary steps were defined. I found a sponsor before I even left Boonville Valley Hope and I still have him today. We don't "talk" that often, but when we do, it's a good talk. Thank you all. Kent F.

Dearest Addiction
CARRY THE MESSAGE - STORIES & POEMS

Lorne S
The glass hits the ground, fingers black and lips blistered. Staring in the mirror, trying to smile, tears I feel down my face. I look but I cannot see. Eyes are red, dilated, hole in my arm, blood spots on my shirt. On goes the mask. Here I go again, just wishing it would end. Shaking, trembling and scared - dark glasses go on, no one will ever know. Body tired, mind wired, thirsty, empty bottle, counting my change and needing some air.

POETRY
Untitled - Thelonious L
Let not the darkness Keep you lost For in the light Life awaits you With warm embrace Happy moments And love for eternity Let not the darkness Deprive you of what You so long for A chance to be more Than you’ve ever been Before and now

The sun is rising; I am dying, wanting to smile. Emptiness echoes in me. Smiles, all around, lying on the ground, trying to escape really not sure…am I here or am I there? This is where I finally see my life is death, unless you give me rest. The sun starts to shine, clouds are coming, and rain is in the air, so why do I fear? Hoping for a cure, that is when I start to hear, looking all around, no one is there. That’s when I see your smile, I will persevere!!!

6

Valley Hope Association Foundation
Donations Received from Oct 9, 2013 – Jan 20, 2014

GRAPEVINE

Unrestricted Charles & Lori Dietrick In honor of Nathan Dietrick Brian Heath Richard Vance Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use In memory of Andrew Cochran Leah Avey Merle Gatewood Sandy Harris Sharon Harrison Susan Hoefer & Family Diane Hoehn Hyde Chip & Mendy Kooi Lisa Marotta & family Rita McGinnis Charlotte Palmer Lisa Littlejohn Don & Jo Ellyn Livesay Missy Reid Ray & Sherry Duncan Karen & Glenn Yarber Carolyn Goodrich Dayla Harris Terri & Carl Trent

Megan O’Connor, BS ADAC Director of Development

I really appreciate everything and everybody at Valley Hope. My life changing event has been all due to the staff and my wonderful family. Thanks -Mark

Mark

Gift of Recovery

We have a big list of supporters to thank this issue; just take a look at the following pages! Our annual ‘Gift of Recovery’ fund drive began in November and ‘unofficially’ ended December 31st. Once again, we are gratefully reminded of the life-changing, life-saving work we do every day. We appreciate all the individuals, families and organizations that care about our patients, our mission and the treatment we provide. “This donation is a small thank you for all you did for my son Daniel. He had a rough road, even after leaving Atchison Valley Hope, but he never forgot what he learned from you, eventually turning his life around. I am happy to say he has been clean and living a healthy life for more than 7 months now. I am so thankful to God and to Valley Hope for each day that I get to enjoy seeing my son healthy and happy. Thank you! Kathy “ “My pleasure to donate every year (30 &counting)! Thanks to your entire organization, my life was saved as was my family! I celebrated my 30th anniversary Sept. 25, 2013. Jack”

VH was the key to my son’s sobriety and we will be forever grateful. P.M

P.M.

Gordon Fogle Marty and Deborah Goldsmith - In memory of Aaron Goldsmith Grapevine Anniversary Steve Hodges Arlene & Mark Schwartz - In memory of Aaron Goldsmith Sue Wood - In honor of Kevin Wood

CHANDLER

Unrestricted Susan Echols Jon Jagger Dennis Kern Maureen & Stephen Maine - In honor of Nicholas Maine Jeffrey Marsh Ron Tenney Trueman & Joan Tryhus - In honor of Mark K. Tryhus Edward Zuchowski - In honor of Margaret Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Frances Anderson Gonzalo Ardavin Gonzalo Ardavin Brian Bohart - In honor of Kari Celaya Borg Warner Foundation Chandler Anniversary Auction Chandler Anniversary T-Shirt sales DMB Associates, Inc. Downtown Chandler Community Foundation Darcy Kusak Louis Pena - In honor of Mark & Shana Linda Sue Shuman - In honor of Rick Shuman William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Eugene Wilder Facility Improvements Sallie Page - In memory of Will Page Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Debbie Nitkowski - In honor of Crystal Ringer

Why give?

Charitable gifts make a difference in the lives of our patients. Our sole mission is to help the chemically dependent and their families. We promise to be good stewards of your donation and support! Choose the center you want to benefit and designate your gift for a specific purpose or leave as unrestricted Donate online www.valleyhope.org/donate or mail to: VHA Foundation, P.O. Box 59, Norton, KS, 67654 Contact Megan at [email protected] or phone (785)877-4483 (GIVE)

Just returning money that doesn’t belongto me: amends to people I cannot locate. S.

S.

FOUNDATION

Possibilities

Thank you for helping me to save my life. I am eternally grateful to Valley Hope. Marcia S.

Marcia S.

How to Give

TEMPE

Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Borg Warner Foundation Unrestricted Trueman & Joan Tryhus - In honor of Mark K. Tryhus

7

Unrestricted Joel Blake Vince & Phyllis Colgan Eugene Edwards - In honor DeMaris Edward Endzone Sports & Office Supplies, Inc. Nancy Hastings Virginia & George Korobka Steve McConville Mickey & Penny McGee - In honor of Robert McGee (Dec '73- patient #3466) Barb & Mike Mertz Earl Murphy Sally Nelson Kevin & Rene O'Rourke Thank you for your life saving mission. Charles & Nancy Peek God Bless you all! Cynthia H. James Pope Dirk Rubenthaler Bill Sauvage Stacy Smith -In honor of Sterling Smith Thomas Stover Robert Suter Carl & Ruth Tharman - In memory of Arthur Tharman Tom Votapka - In memory of George & Mary Votapka Carrie Wilkinson

PARKER

NORTON

Cynthia H.

Unrestricted John Blachowski - In honor of Josh Thompson Donald Grantham Larry Losasso - In memory of Chris Barrnett Roger Martenson James Maytag Nancy & Steve Mullen Mary Paige Christopher Schoeneck I have been clean for 5 years thanks Andrew Shakin to Cushing Valley Hope. Thank you. Jeff & Jean Wheeler Stacy C. Edward Wood Victoria Woodrow

Stacy C.

Scholarships Ada Arford Larry & Terri Black - In memory of John Tacha Paula Flesher - In honor of Neal Flesher James & Debra Hamilton Jr. - In memory of James L Hamilton Sr. & Derek J. Hamilton Edward & Cynthia Harold Carolyn Hitchman - In honor of Megan & memory of Brian O'Connor Jody Hoss - In memory of Lane Hoss Margaret Josserand Virginia & George Korobka L&N Pump, Inc. - In memory of Archie Nairn Mary Leet Robin Loeppke - In memory of Kathi Sullivan Michael "Mick" MacNair Gerald & DiAnn Nichelson - In honor of Nathan Epley Norton Run Registrations Brian Popple - In memory of William (Bill)Popple Jeff & Beverly Rossell Donald Schlatter Bernie & Dixie Schroeder Bob & Rita Speer Joleen Tammen Tom Votapka - In memory of Goerge & Mary Votapka Betty Wortman - In memory of Vernon Wortman Sharleen Wurm - In honor of Phil Wurm William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Bill and Kris Bunger Howard DeBauche - In honor of Judy Weber Thomas Gillespie Nancy Hastings Lamont Shirk, DDS Brad Smith Carrol & Ethel Smith Facility Improvements Ginny Charles - In memory of Richard Grant Charles Susan Miller Judy and Dan Nixon Josh VonLintel Sharon VonLintel - In honor of Josh VonLintel Whitaker's of McCook Patient Assistance (books, sober living) Ambassadors Class Christian Church - Plainville KS Anonymous Ada & Johnnie Arford Michael & Cathy Carr Dr. Merlynn & Joan Colip Yesterday was my sixth anniversary. Jerry Crow Doing great. Thanks! Jerry J. Pat & Lori George Justin Hall Dave & Pam Hill John & Deb McClymont Niles & Jayne Niermeier - In memory of Jordon Benjamin Niermeier Darlyn Schwartz Doug & Nancy Sebelius Julie Siefers Sterling & Sandra Smith Joshua VonLintel Jeff & Jean Wheeler Tom & Patti Yaussi

Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use John Haley - In honor of Mark Haley Kim Geiger - In honor of Mike Butler Brent Swenson - In memory of Bill Swenson In Memory of Lisa Michelle Davis Groves Deborah & Robert Ahrenholz D.J, Mike, Nancy & Truett Davis James & Jeanette Ford Patricia Gevertz Virginia Glatz Linda Logan Jana McCabe Jane & Arthur Scharlach Kenny Kay Stephens Karen & Glenn Stephenson Suzan & Larry Weber Dawn & Ken Wingender Donna Schwartz - In memory of Shannon Beale Rickey Denesik Rick Jones Phyllis Kascak MEP Engineering Leon Ricklefs Debbie Skipper Marcia Stanfield William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Dr. & Mrs. Gary Forrest - Psychotherapy Associates Curt Reimer Melvin Young Facility Improvements Robert Cauley David Coil Shane Fruth - In honor of PVH Staff Kim Geiger - In honor of Mike Butler Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Tawny Cannon Jeffrey Cochran Parker Alumni

MOUNDRIDGE

Unrestricted Don & Dorene Anderson Cliff & Marcy Blow Ray Burford Kenneth Dome W. Pat Rooney - In honor of Linda Likes Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Change a Life Mitchell Media Services LLC Jayme Turner - In honor of Harold Turner William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Kenneth Dome Facility Improvements Charles Dyson - In memory of Michael D. Dyson Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Moundridge Anniversary Auction Carla S. - In memory/honor of Scott S. S. Williams - In honor of Linda Likes & Arnetta Kimball

FOUNDATION

Jerry J.

WICHITA

Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Wichita & Moundridge Valley Hope staff & alumni - In honor of Harry Gard

8

Unrestricted Bottorff Construction Inc Carl & Elizabeth Cleveland - In memory of Christian Ashworth Cleveland Kevin & Bobbi Cummings - In memory of Julie (Selberg) Christian Mary Curtis - In honor of My Dad Jon Evans Cynthia Kuenzi In Memory of Julie (Selberg) Christian Paul Curtiss Lanny & Monie Frakes Dave & Jean Ketter Bill Kreifers Terry Kuhnert Brent Little Bernard & Lavon McManaman Valdean Putzier Stephen Rau Billy Rork Charlene & John Russell James & Betty Sudbeck Michael Thom The Jeffrey Grubb Law Firm Mark Mears - In memory of Mary E. Mears Doris Meinking - In memory of Hank Meinking Jim & Theresa Melvin Roger Mrasek Leslie Munn Jennifer Nagely Gary Rudloff Larry Savener Teresa Schmeck Steve & Ruth Ann Tannery - In memory of Jo Worth & John Hattaway Patient Scholarships - Immediate Use Clelsea Burns Susan Calloway - In honor of Cameron Calloway Pat Charbonneau - In memory of Tom Charbonneau Bill DeMoss Lindy Glass - In honor of Steve Glass Dennis Gleason The Grubb Law Firm, PC Bruce Holmgren Kathy Hoff LLC - In honor of Daniel Harvey Mary Korneman - In memory of Salle Shepard Richard & Marilyn Logerwell Dale Marrant - In memory of Christian Cleveland John McManigal - In memory of John Hattaway Richard Miller Jack Orava Megan Otterstedt - In memory of Mark Alan Otterstedt Pamela Otterstedt - In memory of Mark A. Otterstedt David Parks Janet Rash - In memory of Dennis M. Hogan William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Anniversary Raffle William Gladhart and Family - In honor of John G. Roy & Dorothy Heiman Jerry McCaslin - In memory of Don Duncan Olive's Good Karma Foundation - In memory of Christian Cleveland Paula Overfelt - In honor of Geoff Overfelt Margaret Tretbar Facility Improvements Randy & Cheryl King William Kreifels Pamela Otterstedt - In memory of Mark A. Otterstedt Trevor & Ashton Walton Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Edward Whitlock

ATCHISON

CUSHING BOONVILLE

Unrestricted Harland & Shirley Stonecipher Chuck Guinn - In memory of Judy Guinn Charles Atkinson - In memory of Chae Morgan Tina Butner Ewing & Shirley Gibson - In memory of Suzanne Gibson Martin Stacy (Clark) Casteel Sally Gatewood - In memory of J. David Mustain Pipeline Equipment Inc. Lon Foster III Jan Leischner Gerry Leischner Jane Whisenant - In memory of Ben Whisenant James Wasson Kyle & Carole Keffer - In honor of all patients struggling with addiction Cindy Baker Karen & Tommy Edgar Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Sharon Johnson Debbie Barnes - In memory of Lynn Drake Elaine Dodd Duane Murray Dennis Yarnall Debra Phillips William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Jo Ann Estes Greg Pugmire John Severe Al & Susan Roberts Scholarship Fund Peggy Brant - In honor of Al Roberts B-day Peggy Brant - In honor of Al & Susan Roberts Chesapeake Operating, Inc. Jack Keas Al & Susan Roberts Sunoco Toomey Oil Co., Inc. Carl & Carolyn Renfro Scholarship Fund Renfro Family Foundation Facility Improvements Renfro Family Foundation Michael Miller Building Renovation Fund Betty Bryant Shaull

Unrestricted Delores Abernathy - In memory of Al Abernathy James Bousquet - In memory of Jim McCall Warren Brown Brad & Debbie Humston Debbie Mauzey - In honor of Adam Mauzey & Nathan Honzalek Larry & Judy Ormsbee Martha Parnell Jerrold Rosen Robert Tobben - In honor of Mike Tobben Jack Weddle Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Dana & Michael Calcutt Maureen Dalton - In memory of Michael Dalton Van & Susan Donley - In memory of Elizabeth Burns & Susan Wood Van & Ada Heady - In memory of Lois Saunders Sonja Maciejewski - Midwest Aerial Contracting - In memory of Michael S. Rice R. Tim & Carol Monnig Marty Oberman - In honor of Blair Halpern Ernest Payne Robert Ridgley Mary Ruff - In memory of T. Richard Ruff (Father Rick) Deborah Strid William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Richard & Patricia Fitzgerald - In honor of Shirley Fitzgerald Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Frank & Dora Rice - In memory of Mike Rice Mindy Riggio

DONATIONS

OVERLAND PARK

Unrestricted WillisTheis - In memory of Mr. & Mrs. W.C. Theis

9

Unrestricted Mr. & Mrs. Tom Bartels Keith & Rosalee Christiansen Carolee DeVorss - In memory of Ronald W DeVorss Bob Engelhaupt Marlive & Michael Fitzpatrick Carl Gentleman Kent & Dorrita Helm Mike & Gail Hieb Brian Larsen Mark Larson - In memory of Todd Westmoreland William Latenser - In memory of Cookie (House Chef) Sharon Messerschmidt - In honor of Haley & Eric Ehlers Anna Jane Mickelson Nadine Miller - In honor of Terry Duffy Pinnacle Bank O'Neill Reiser Insurance inc. Albert Rometo Douglas Simkins Lance & Shannon Tolstedt Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Stu Bachmann Curtis & Marietta Boatman Dustin Caine Jessica Clark Riley Clark Jerry & Sharon Connealy Lyndee Black & Danny Brhel - In memory of Alma E. Brhel Francis Doom John Fischer Holz Lumber & Hardware Inc. - In Honor of Barry & Travis Holz Daniel Jensen In honor of Kathy Jensen Jerry Johnsen Julie Joyce Kathy Lewanowski - In honor of The O'Hare family David & Kathy Martin Paula McLaughlin - In honor of Ryan McLaughlin Mr & Mrs William McQuistan Ruth Schiffern John Kavanaugh Stripping Services Brian Vencil Tracy & Jeanie Wallick Jeanette Wiese - In honor of Krista Wiese Richard & Laura Wiese Sharon Wieseler William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Dr. Ramona Graves Marsha Nelson Julie Roberts Russ Schwartz - In honor of Teri Bykerk Paul Semrad Facility Improvements Jon Lundgren Patient Assistance Needs (books, sober living) Anonymous Anonymous In memory of Judith Marie G. Chapel Helping Hands O'Neill Alumni & Staff Jack Payne O'Neill Reunion Russ Schwartz Unrestricted A&A Cooling & Heating LLC Jim & Alberta Ahrens - In memory of Kim W Ahrens Almena State Bank AT&T United Way Employee Giving John & Teresa Badgerow Lilette Bagwin Fred Barber - In honor of Ron Smith Rick & Bette Barnett Elaine & James Batz Lois, Steve & mother Bauer - In memory of Rick Jewell Tom Baumann William & Sally Beardslee - In honor of William R. Beardslee Cora Berry Tracy Blake Gerald Bloom Gail & Cindy Boller William Burrill Campbell-Lepley Hunt Foundation Cardinal Health Gen Rx award to Sarah Browning

Michael & Cathy Carr Deborah Christiansen Coldwell Banker Realty Group One Coleman Family Foundation, Inc. Patricia Connely Steve & Holly Curtiss Amy Daniels Joan DeMerchant I appreciate the work you do and have done Donald Dodrill Lynn & Jeff Drinkard for many years. May you continue to reach out to those who need you. Peggy B Erika D'Souza Kathy Erbert Mary Farmer - In memory of Tim Colton Debra Fellows Front Range Duct Cleaning John Gilbert M.D. - In memory of Tony Jewell & Bill Miller Google Matching Gifts Program Robert & Colleen Grammer - In memory of Derek Zabokrtsky Paula Graves - In honor of Raymond E. Adams Jr. John & Joan Gray Ken & Juanita Gregoire Sean Groh H.J. Pratt Theodore Haling - In memory of LeAnn Haling William Harris Gerdi Heath Warren Heaton Our gift is in honor G.W. & Helen Heim of all patients Michael Hoey struggling with Nick Hoffman addiction. Our son Denny & Karen Howerter was not ready to Jim Isaacson receive help. Sandra & Roger Jackson However, through Randy Johnson John & Kristen Jorgensen the help of the Ron Juenemann O.D. counselors, pastors, Carrie & James Kavanaugh nurses, cooks and In memory of Stephen Kelley Theobald other patients he Pam Kensler was able to Rod & Lesley King be sober for 30 days. Karl Krueger For that we are gratefu Pam & Carlos Langston – C. Wayne Lebsack Young Lee Carrie Lehr - In memory of Connor M. Lehr Dr. & Mrs. John Leipold Dr. & Mrs. William & Val Leipold Carolyn Marlowe Stephen McClain Michael McDonald John & Tammy Meisel Marjorie Nairn Natoma Corporation William North Norton County Hospital Megan O'Connor - In memory of Brian O'Connor Dennis Oellig Stuart Olson Tom & Denise Peebles William & Billie Petersen Brenda Petersen Shalla Powell-Mandigo Keith & Dolores Poyser Rick's Pipeline Inc - In honor of Sterling Smith Walter Riechmann - In memory of Herb Benson Eric Rosales Charlie & Marcy Roth Dan & Mary Kay Schippers Robert Schlottman Gwen Sevart - In honor of Chris Sevart David Sheneman - In memory of Michael Sheneman John & Marny Sherman James Smith Mr. & Mrs. Foster Smith Dion Stroble James Stuart Jr. William Teel Jon Terry My Gift is in honor of someone special. Christy Toews Susan Truax Thank you for making our life better. DJ Nancy Vega Fred Vocasek Lisa Wallin Marilyn Walsh - In honor of Al & Susan Roberts Bill & Kathy Williams Dennis Witcofski Tiffney Yeager

O-NEILL

ALL CENTERS

Peggy B

C

ALL CENTERS

DONATIONS

DJ

Patient Scholarships-Immediate Use Brian Bache Steve Castle

10

ALL CENTERS

Nancy & Bill Dougal Steve Knuth Willard Kotthoff Paula Martin Steven Nimcheski - In memory of Kathleen Nimcheski Stuart Olson Dan & Dixie Senestraro - In memory of Bette J. Burch Paul Seymour III The Mulch Center Tom & Patti Yaussi William D. Leipold Endowment for Scholarships Donald Arends Betty Benedick Jock Bethune - In memory of Judy Bethune Bridges Group, Inc. Insurance David Brockish William Fiaccone Marlene & Fred Gakle John & Sheryl Gress Ralph Harris Deb Ludeman Beverly & John Muraglia Kerri Ray Steven Renfro Allen & Margaret Scott Doug & Nancy Sebelius Janie Shelden - In memory of Ronald Kogl & Honor of Ella Kogl Rebecca Sutton - In honor of Gladys Rand & Rev. Kirk Johnston Jim & Cindy Swallow - In honor of Jim Swallow Shirley Sweet - In memory of Jimmie L Sweet United Machine Co., Inc. Dorene Utt - In memory of Eugene Utt Nici Wallis - In honor of A-Ward Staff

Hank died in January, just 20 days shy of 35 years. Thanks to AA, Valley Hope and Family. Doris

Doris

My gift is in memory of my dear, sweet Lane Hoss, who passed 2/15/13. Jody Hoss.

Jody Hoss

DONATIONS

Please use this small donation toward Patient Scholarships. We will be forever grateful to Valley Hope for the new life you have our son. He will celebrate 3 years of sobriety in February 2014. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Nancy & Bill

Nancy & Bill

Our gift is in memory of Jack and Marcy Selberg’s daughter Julie. We will never fully understand this loss. … We wish for 2014 to be a good to you and everyone at Valley Hope who work every day at helping people in need. Best regards, Lanny & Monie F.

Lanny & MonieF.

RENEWAL DAYS
Atchison, KS 3rd Friday of the month Alumni start coming about 8:30AM. Our first official activity is Alumni Group at 9AM in the dining hall. At 9:30, we'll watch patient cup hangings in the Lecture Hall. After cup hangings, our alumni get introduced to the group and the alumni share about when they were at Valley Hope, and where they go to meetings. The patient group spends time with visiting alumni to talk to and get telephone numbers for AA/NA contacts in their area. We take a short break and start Road To Recovery around 10:45AM. Next we have medallions usually about 11:15. After lunch, Renewal small group starts around 1PM for an hour. We usually have 60 or more alumni visiting and usually 15 to 20 birthdays that we celebrate. Boonville 2nd Friday of the month 8:30am - Registration in the Common Area. Enjoy coffee and goodies. 9:40am - Cup Hanging Ceremony in the Lecture Hall. 10:00am - Alumni Group in the Lecture Hall 11:00am - Medallions Ceremony in the Lecture Hall. 12:30pm - Lunch (discounted price of $2.50) 1:30pm - Alumni Group If you would like to join us for LUNCH, please let staff know. Give us a call if you plan to pick up your cup or share a birthday! Call if any questions. Cushing 3rd Friday of the month Alumni begin arriving at the center around 9:00AM to visit. (Some actually arrive in time to sit in on the 8:50AM lecture) At 9:40, we'll have patient cup hanging ceremony in the lecture hall and then celebrate recovery time of 1 year and multiple years. Alumni are encouraged to introduce themselves to the patient group and let them know what 12-Step meetings they attend. Many alumni stay and enjoy lunch with us. Chandler 3rd Friday of the month Chandler Valley Hope invites ALL alumni to come and share their experience, strength and hope with the current patients. We start with a meet and greet at 9am in the Dining Hall for coffee and donuts. At 9:40 we will spend time with the patients while they hang their cups and then watch the Medallion Ceremony of alumni celebrating an entire year of sobriety. At 11:00 we will break into two groups where the current patient group gets to ask the alumni questions about what is was like when they left treatment. Did they go to sober living? What did they do for Continuing Care? What was it like returning home? Please remember that these times are a guideline only and depend on how many cups and medallions are presented. Come each month and share your experience. Stay for lunch. You can help where no one else can!!!!! Give us a call if you plan to pick up your cup or share a birthday! Call if any questions. Grapevine Last Friday of every month I would like to invite you to Grapevine Valley Hope on the last Friday of each month. Few things have the positive impact like our successful alumni returning back to the center. At 8AM you are welcome to attend Communications followed by 8:50AM Lecture. At 9:40AM Cup Hangings in the Lecture Hall 10AM Enjoy brunch with staff and alumni and 11AM Medallion and Cup Ceremony for alumni returning for their one year celebration and multiple year birthdays. Our current alumni group is active in developing new and entertaining activities. We also have opportunities for successful alumni to come and speak to our patients at times throughout the month. Message from Troy Tice, Program Director. Give us a call if you plan to pick up your cup or share a birthday! Call if any questions.

11

RENEWAL DAYS

Moundridge Last Friday of every month Alumni begin arriving at the center around 8:30AM to visit in the Commons area with other alumni (and the staff) or attend the 8:50AM lecture. 10:10AM we begin an Alumni Panel which is a question and answer session held in our lecture hall for current patients to ask questions about what life is like on the 'outside' after treatment. Beginning at 11AM, we celebrate various lengths of recovery time with our Medallions Ceremony in the lecture hall. Lunch is at noon and Alumni Group has a meeting at 1PM. Come Join Us! Norton 2nd Friday of every month We start with a meet and greet at 8am in the Living Center for coffee and cookies. 9:00AM we will meet as a group in the 'staff' room in the counselor building for a 30 minute meeting. 9:30AM we will go to the Lecture Hall for cup hanging ceremony with the current patient group. You will have a chance to introduce yourself and share where you are from so you can make connections with patients from your area. 10:30AM, join us in the Lecture Hall for a Medallion Ceremony. Buy a $5 meal ticket at the nurse’s station and enjoy lunch with the patients and staff. At 1:30PM, alumni will meet for a great meeting in the lecture hall. The day concludes about 3PM. Give us a call if you plan to pick up your cup or share a birthday! Call if any questions. Oklahoma City 1st Tuesday of every month Starts with fellowship at 6 pm followed by potluck at 6:30....We begin with serenity prayer at 7 pm and recognize those celebrating varying lengths of sobriety and then the speaker is introduced. We wrap it up with any announcements pertaining to Valley Hope or Upcoming Local Recovery events.

Omaha 1st Tuesday of every month Starts at 6:30PM! Come join the celebration, fellowship, and Recovery. We present cups and medallions to Alumni that are celebrating one year and more of recovery! We have an alumni speaker, share announcements of upcoming events, and close with a Serenity Prayer. After the meeting we enjoy a great potluck dinner. Can’t wait to see you there! O’Neill 1st Friday of every month Renewal Day, the first Friday of the month at O'Neill Valley Hope has grown to be an inspiring event. Events start Thursday night for those that will be in O'Neill with guest attendance at the 6:30PM Continuing Care group. Lots of people start their Friday by attending Chapel services at 7:40 AM and then lecture at 8:50 AM. The famous "Brunch" prepared and served by Marlene and the Kitchen staff starts at 10:00 AM. This is a great time for patients, staff and alumni. Medallion ceremonies begin promptly at 11:00 AM. If it's your sobriety birthday month, join us and collect a "Celebrating Recovery" cup no matter how many years you’re celebrating. Lunch is served at 12:30 and small group starts at 1:30. Join us for a Celebration of Recovery and "Carry the Message" to others. Give us a call if you plan to attend Thursday continuing care. Call (402)336-3747 Overland Park Last Friday of the month Alumni will start arriving at 6:00PM and the evening will end at 9:00PM. We would like to invite Alumni and Friends to share their stories, experience, strength and hope. We will also provide refreshments for the evening activities. This is a very interactive session for the whole Group. We hope that you can come join us for a very fun and exciting evening. Parker 3rd Friday of every month Alumni start arriving as early as 7 a.m. to drink coffee and visit in the living center. Alumni Group meets at 9:00 a.m. in the Dining Room renewing acquaintances and making new friends. At 10AM, alumni break into two groups for a question and answer session with the patients (where they really learn how the rubber meets the road!) Medallion ceremony is at 11AM to celebrate individual lengths of recovery, from 1 year to many, many years. You'll hear some great stories from individuals and their families sharing their experience, strength and hope. Many alumni sign up and stay for the noon meal prepared by our great kitchen staff. If you are celebrating 1 year or more and plan on attending this event, please let us know. Call Parker Valley Hope ph. 303-841-7857 St. Louis 4th Wednesday of the Month St. Louis Area Monthly Alumni/Renewal Groups meet on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the large group room. This is the perfect time for those who share the Valley Hope experience to enjoy some fellowship and carry the message to those who are just beginning their recovery journey. The alumni returning each month to hang cups, pick up medallions and lend support to others are a valuable asset for St. Louis Valley Hope—we appreciate all of you. Wichita 3rd Wednesday of the month The celebration kicks off on the third Wednesday of the month starting at 6:00 PM. We will have alumni sit in on small group in the café. Former patients can come back to receive the cup they made while in Intensive Outpatient treatment, or a Valley Hope Coffee Cup for each additional year they have maintained sobriety on their sobriety date. A panel discussion will also be held for current Intensive Outpatients. We know that your experience, strength, and hope can help those who are new to the program see that long term recovery is possible. We will have refreshments, snacks and time for fellowship. Please join us!

12

RENEWAL DAYS

Atchison, KS Alumni group meets each month at Atchison Valley Hope on Renewal Day (3rd Friday of every month) at 9AM for a Business meeting, then we’ll enjoy Renewal Day starting with patient cup hangings and at 10:30 Road to Recovery begins where we answer questions from the patient group and celebrate birthdays. Chandler, AZ Alumni and friends meet in the dining hall of Chandler Valley Hope every Tuesday evening 7:15- 9 pm for speaker and group discussion. Dodge City, KS Alumni Group meets the 3rd Sunday of each month for breakfast, fellowship and speaker at 9 AM. Where: Casey’s Cowtown, 503 E. Trail St. Dodge City Upcoming dates: Feb 16, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15 Contact: Damon P. ph: (620)339-0687 Email: [email protected] Grapevine, TX Alumni meet every Saturday at GVH in the Lecture Hall. Join us from 6-7PM and come share your experience, strength and hope with the current patient group. Alumni also meet on the last Friday of every month for Renewal Day from 9AM-3PM with a FREE brunch. Contact: Suzanne W. Email: [email protected] Hays, KS Group meets once per month on Sunday morning at 9:30AM for breakfast, fellowship and speaker Location: Golden Corral (south of Walmart). We’ll meet in the back room and enjoy the buffet. Upcoming breakfasts: Feb 23, March 23, April 20, May 18, June 22 Contact: Ron S - Phone: (785) 650-1064 North Platte, NE Group meets the third Saturday of every month for an evening potluck fellowship and Step meeting. Where: Bethel Church in 'the loft', 2700 W. Philip Ave Upcoming meetings: Feb 15, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21 Contact person: Ray and Trenda S. Ray’s phone: (308)386-8962 Norton, KS Alumni group meets weekly every Thursday evening, 7pm for a meeting. Come early for coffee and cookies. Where: Norton Valley Hope Dining Hall. Also join us for Renewal Day 2nd Friday every month for alumni meetings at 9AM and 1:30PM. Ogallala NE Join us Saturday March 8th at 6PM for a potluck followed by an Open 12-Step meeting. Location: Traditions Clubhouse 1008 West A, Street, Ogallala, NE Contact: Roxie 308-289-5509 Oklahoma City, OK Join us every Tuesday evening at 6 PM at Oklahoma City Valley Hope, 6110 NW 63rd Contact: Brian G - Phone: (405) 315-7916 - Email: [email protected] Parker, CO Alumni and current patient group meet for an open discussion in the PVH lecture hall. Patient group is encouraged to ask alumni questions about recovery, meetings, sponsorship, etc. When: 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at 7PM Contact: John W. - Phone: (303) 808-4861 St. Louis, MO Alumni group meeting is every week on Tuesday nights at 6PM. Alumni also meet on the 4th Wednesday each month for Renewal Night; from 5:30 to 7pm. Location: St. Louis Valley Hope, 12777 Olive Blvd. ph: (314) 514-9220 Email: [email protected] Tempe, AZ Group weekly meetings are held at Tempe Valley Hope, Rio Sureno Med Plaza, 2103-2115 E. Southern, phone (480) 831-9533 Tuesdays 6pm – Co-Anon 12 Step meeting for friends and family Tuesdays 8pm -Young People’s Alumni Meeting with rotating schedule of discussion & book studies. Wednesdays 4:30pm - Alumni Big Book Study one hour meeting Thursdays 6pm – Speaker and open meeting format. Open to patients, alumni, family and friends. Contact: Rick K. ph. (480) 232-7587 Tucson, AZ – NEW group Alumni, join us every Thursday evening at 6PM, for a great speaker meeting. Location: The Village Church, 1926 N. Cloverland Ave., Tucson AZ. 85712. (Cross streets are Pima & Rosemont.) Meeting will be open to Friends and Family on the First Thursday of each month. They will be planning monthly group activities, ie. hiking. Facebook page CVH ALUMNI TUCSON. If you need further directions or info, call Scott B. at 520-647-1213, or e-mail him at [email protected]. Tulsa, OK Every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. join us for a great one hour meeting. Where: Room 1 of the meeting hall at the Fellowship Church, 2900 S. Harvard Contact: Peter G. Phone: (918) 760-6011 or Lori G. Phone: (918) 510-1713

Alicia Landrum - BA, LAC As I sit here and think about the many gifts of recovery, I think one of the most invaluable gifts is the gift of hope. I can remember when I was using how bleak and dreary everyday seemed. Day in and day out, it was always the same thing - just trying to make it through. As I look back, it’s a wonder I made it…and how I made it is even more amazing. Thinking of all of the situations I could have been involved in and wasn’t reminds me of “Footprints in the Sand”. I don’t think my spirituality would have grown as it did had my sponsor not introduced me to that prayer. I can remember her asking, “How do you think you made it through? Do you really think it was all just your doing?” At the time I wanted to say “yes.” I can no longer take full credit for the good things that happened because I was carried. Today I thank God that I made it through, only because I learned to in recovery. Every day isn’t all roses either, living life on life’s terms can get difficult. Today those difficult situations don’t seem as dark and dreary because I know if I was carried through my addiction, God’s not going to drop me in my recovery. I can have hope for the future today. As I see our new patients come to Continuing Care and Intensive Outpatient, I am blessed to see others able to gain hope in this program. It’s also disheartening how quickly some can forget the hope they found when life gets hectic, difficult, or painful. That is the importance of having others and building a support network. Others can give us hope when we life gets difficult. Think about it. Would you be where you are it if weren’t for the other addicts and alcoholics in your lives giving you support? My support network gives me hope, but our former patients are a prime example of hope too. For employees, you show us how important our job is to the world. For our new patients, you show that recovery is possible and life can get better. If you get a chance, take the opportunity to share that hope with others-in meetings, by sharing at Renewal Days, just stopping in to visit, or extending your hand to someone when you get the chance. Please remember how truly important you are and what you have to offer others. Thank you for being a gift of hope.

Stephen Conrad - Chaplain, MSW As I write this, there is snow on the ground and a bitter cold wind blowing. But when you read this, spring is silently planning its return. There are bitter winds that blow, but winter always gives way to spring. It takes faith, when it’s icy and cold, to remember the warmth of sunshine and the beauty of flowers and birds that return in springtime. It takes faith to believe people can change- yet just as there is evidence that winter does not last forever, despite the present appearance of things, there is also evidence that people do change. If we have eyes to see, there is evidence people make dramatic, profound shifts in the way life is lived. We call this recovery. We can also call this divine work being done within and around us, when we look for it. People begin to change: the person who needed a wheelchair when he was admitted to treatment is now walking, maybe even playing a round of golf. The person who wept because her marriage seemed to be inevitably on the rocks, has discovered the gift of reconciliation and forgiveness. Husband and wife show up for Renewal Day and say, “It hasn’t been easy. There have been bumps in the road. But things are on the mend.” Sometimes I think of Renewal Day as springtime, only it happens each month. As I shared with patients this morning in Communications, Renewal Day is meaningful in so many ways, and this seems to deepen for me with each passing year. Renewal Day is just the visible evidence of the deep changes happening within people who were dying, yet now are fully living. In October, Stan K. celebrated a year sobriety, Kim V. and Joe D. were honored for 5 years sober, and Eddie P. now has 6 years. November brought us Thanksgiving Day, that great symbol of the peoples of this nation choosing to live as one, to help each other, to realize that we must rely on each other if we are to thrive- and to have “an attitude of gratitude” rather than a spirit of “whine”. We are grateful for Aaron A.’s year clean and sober, Rex M.’s 3 years, Jeremy D. and Jerry H.’s 6 years, Jeff P.’s 7 years, and Chris F.’s 8 years clean and sober. Then December: Another sign of renewal for me, as a Christian, is the recognition of faith in the possibility that even in the midst of pain, suffering, and loss, light can shine- Christmas, the birth of the divine child in the most humble, least likely place. Sally P. celebrated one year sober, as did Adam S. May this budding, blooming miracle called spring be a time of renewal and joy for you in 2014!

Chaplain Larry Wright retired after 30 years of touching lives of both patients and staff. We will miss you Larry! Enjoy your new journey! THE POWER OF GIVING
Never underestimate the power of giving, It shines like a beacon throughout humanity. It cuts through the oceans that divide us and brightens the lives of all it touches. One of life’s greatest laws is that you cannot hold a torch to light another’s path….without brightening your own.

Larry Black MS, LCAC - Norton Valley Hope Program Director The holidays were a busy, joyful and festive time at Norton Valley Hope. We were able to share Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with our patients and their families. A huge word of thanks goes out to Ray and Trenda S. who provided the Christmas Dinner for patients, families and staff. They shared their stories, their music and their hearts with us and we are very grateful. Thanks also go out to counselor Mickey for serving as Santa again this year. God continues to bless our center in so many ways. Our patients were the recipients of a generous gift from the area Toys for Tots organization. They had several boxes of left over toys which they donated to Norton Valley Hope. This gift allowed us to provide children’s toys for patients who were away from their families at Christmas time, and for those patients whose families were coming to visit, but who, due to the consequences of their addiction were unable to afford Christmas gifts. It made Christmas more enjoyable for many of our patients. Thanks also to alumni and very generous benefactor Blonde F who donated a huge selection of food, snacks, and treats for the patients and their families to enjoy during the Christmas holiday season. We are touched by the kindnesses shown to our patients this holiday season. The facility improvement work group continues to meet with some good ideas on how best to make use of the recently acquired property east of the Norton Valley Hope campus. There are some new faces in some of the departments, so please feel free to stop by the facility when you are in the area and meet the new folks and renew acquaintances with those you already know. Or even better, make plans to attend renewal on the 2nd Friday of each month. In January, it was standing room only with family and friends as some 20 people picked up their cups or received medallions. Here’s wishing a great 2014 to you all. That’s it for now. See ya next time.

Counselor Scott gives Kristie & Doug “Celebration Cups” in honor of 4 years.

Troy Matthews - BA, LAC, Admissions Coordinator

Counselor Mickey returning cup to Sara and her husband Dan

We are settling into our fantastic new facility at Overland Park Valley Hope! We encourage all alumni to stop by, take a look around and have a cup of coffee in our “coffee shop.” We are excited to begin the Cup Hanging tradition here at Overland Park Valley Hope that so many of you experienced when you were in Atchison or another Valley Hope inpatient facility. Decorated coffee cups on the wall in the lecture hall will really start to make the new building feel like a Valley Hope home. Additional family programming is also in the works; as always Valley Hope wants to reach out to addicts AND their families so everyone can begin healing together. Please stop by and see us. The building may be different but the love is the same!

The Spiritual Principles of Patience and Tolerance in Recovery - Eileen R. Weides, LADC & Counselor Most of our patients, it seems, struggle with impatience and are not really sure what that is about or what to do with it. And what is impatience? It is my response when I am having difficulty tolerating behaviors and situations I confront as unacceptable to me. Impatience is but a symptom of my lack of tolerance. Not only in recovery, but in life itself, patience is about my learning through practice to embrace and accept the differences in all people; learning to accept the I, along with most others, am at least to some extent, emotionally crippled as I recover, as well as often wrong. When we were active alcoholics/addicts, we wanted what we wanted when and how we wanted it. When I am impatient, I need to remember that is old behavior because I am expecting something to go my way and what matters to others does not matter to me. I may be caught in traffic, stuck in a long line at the store or be listening to someone tell his same story for the fourth time at a meeting. Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of AA, said in a letter written in 1943, “Honesty with ourselves and others gets us sober, but it is tolerance that keeps us that way.” When I can truly put myself “in another’s shoes”, I approach genuine tolerance. Life in recovery is about learning a new way to live and our patients make good strides toward that. We practice the opposite of immediate gratification we were used to when we were using. We are learning to no longer try to control what is out of our control. It is about learning tolerance of differences and becoming accepting and non-judgmental regarding the differences in others. Practice that and patience will come. Here at Oklahoma City Valley Hope, we continue to work with recovering alcoholics and addicts to try and equip them with the tools to stay clean and sober. Renewal Nights are held on the first Tuesday of each month and have been a joy as we enjoy good food and fellowship and celebrate those patients who have achieved recovery milestones. Recently we honored Jill R., Jamie S., and Jenifer A. by returning their cups after they achieved one year of sobriety. Oklahoma City Valley Hope has also enjoyed several great Renewal Night speakers recently when Matt and Alicia H., a married couple in recovery, spoke in November, Arnold Smith shared his story and musical talents in December, and Nima T. shared his experience, strength, and hope in January with the support of his friends in recovery. Oklahoma City Valley Hope also continues to host an Alumni meeting every Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the coffee shop.
Matt and Alicia H.

Cushing Letter From Home - Tami Anderson, BA, ICADC - Community Relations Clinician Hello alumni, family and friends. Another year has passed and we have seen so many miracles at our Cushing and OKC facilities. We had another Alumni Christmas Party that was amazing, thanks to all of you, including our talented staff. We were blessed again this year with wonderful speakers, beautiful voices that sang, and one of the best skits done by staff that I have ever seen. This year we laughed, and cried, and even laughed until we cried. The fellowship was amazing and at one point, it was standing room only. After speakers, songs and other entertainment, the evening concluded with a wonderful Christmas meal prepared by our gifted kitchen staff. Patients and their family members, along with the staff at Cushing Valley Hope have a beautiful new fountain to enjoy! The installation of the fountain is just one of many projects that have been completed at Cushing Valley Hope this past year. With the water gently flowing down its sides and into the pool, the fountain gives people a sense of peace and tranquility. What a blessing it is for all of us at Valley Hope to be able to do this each year for our wonderful alumni, family and friends. If you had to miss the Christmas party, this is just a reminder that we will be having our annual reunion in June of this year. You won’t want to miss this one!! Thanks again to all of alumni, patients, family and friends for helping make this possible. We love you all and look forward to seeking you at Renewal Days and reunion in June.

Christmas Party & Staff: Brenda, Dana, Claudia, Steve and Kensie

Brenda & Dana

Santa Grizz

Hello from St. Louis - Janet Worthy, Outpatient Program Director, CRADC Is it getting close to the time when you will mark your first year of ongoing recovery? Honoring the first year with a Medallion Ceremony is one of the most rewarding experiences for all of us at St. Louis Valley Hope, and we hope you will want to celebrate this important milestone with us. At the November Renewal/Alumni group, we were happy to be able to share the special feelings of gratitude and accomplishment as Chris P picked up his cup and medallion. Sincere congratulations to you, Chris—all of us are happy for you and appreciate the hard work that went into your first year. If you have a cup hanging at St. Louis Valley Hope, we encourage you to pick it up and, at the same time, receive your Valley Hope one year medallion. You are welcome to invite family or others who supported you in this journey to join in. If your cup is hanging at another Valley Hope and you are unable to travel there to pick it up, let us know. We’ll make arrangements to bring it to St. Louis for your Medallion Ceremony. Please give us a call at (314) 514-9220 or come by our monthly alumni group held the fourth Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. We would love to help you celebrate any of your recovery milestones. Recently we’ve had patients visit and call to report 1-1/2 years, 2 years, 5 years, 8 years, 9 years, and 10 years clean and sober. We think all of you rock for sharing this good news with us! We love it when alumni come for the fourth Wednesday, and now we have another group for you. A few months ago, a weekly alumni group was started. This group, held every Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., allows those who completed Continuing Care to carry on their connections with one another and with Valley Hope on a weekly basis So please don’t hesitate to contact us--we always want to hear from you, our alumni, even if it’s just to say hello. We appreciate the time you give to us and to one another as you celebrate, listen, or offer a hand in times of need.
Chris P. picks up his cup and celebrates his 1 year milestone surrounded by supporters Linsay, Matt, Sean and Sanh

Scott Ehrlich, M.Div. - Chaplain, Boonville Valley Hope. Except for those of you living in Arizona, the rest of the Valley Hope family just went through a curious little phenomenon called a, “Polar Vortex.” Now if you don’t understand weather-ese, “Polar Vortex” means, “Wow, it’s cold!” And was it ever. As uncomfortable as this season was I believe there are some “sobriety lessons” we can learn, and so I would like to offer to you my understanding of the Wisdom of the Recovery Snowman: Notice that I said we, “went through” the Polar Vortex. As I write today, it’s in the mid 40’s and clear where I am; the Polar Vortex is a thing of the past. With that in mind, the first piece of Snowman wisdom I’d like to share with you is an oldie-butgoodie from AA’s list of clichés: “This too shall pass.” Even though it may feel as if what we are going through in a particular season of our lives will last forever, it really won’t. The second bit of Snowman wisdom came from my local weather forecaster. As she was telling her viewers just how cold it was going to be she included this little nugget: “If you don’t have to go outside, don’t.” I am always saddened when I talk to friends who have relapsed and they tell me they just went back to their old playmates and play-places. The third little sobriety gem also came from the local weather forecaster. She said, “If you must go out, dress in layers and protect your skin from exposure.” I suppose there are times when we really can’t control where we are or who’s there with us, but we can wear all sorts of ‘protective gear.’ That comes in the form of meetings we have attended, prayers we have said, meditations we have shared, and books we have read. The last bit of wisdom I want to share came to me from the very brief time I was allowed to spend in the Cub Scouts. It is their motto: “Be Prepared.” None of us can dictate the weather, but all of us can be prepared for what’s coming. I grew up near a huge Army base in Fort Carson, Colorado and still remember an interview between a reporter and the commandant of the camp. The reporter said something like, “Why are you always playing ‘war games’ in a time of peace?” The commandant simply looked at the reporter and said, “Because when war comes, it’s too late.” I hope this is the last Polar Vortex I’ll have to endure, but, just in case, I’ve got a closet full of heavy coats, water-proof boots, thermal underwear and high-quality gloves.

OMAHA
Greeting from Omaha! I wanted to take this time to introduce myself, Kandi Morris, Outpatient Program Director at Omaha Valley Hope. It has been great getting to know all of the patients, staff and friends of Omaha Valley Hope. The following article is written by our Chaplain, Wes. Wes has become a wonderful asset to our team in providing spiritual guidance to our patients and enhancing our clinical staff as well. I hope you all enjoy reading Wes’ story as much as I did! Kandi Morris MS, LSAT, LADC, Outpatient Program Director, Omaha Valley Hope Turning To God “Wes, are you ready to get right with God?” This was the question that changed my life. This was the question my brother-in-law, Steve, asked me as I lay helpless in a hospital bed on life support with multiple IV’s coming out of my body. I had been in a coma for three weeks and my doctors had informed me that I my liver was failing and my kidneys were shutting down and I was going to be placed on hospice care and my life expectancy was two weeks to possibly a month. It was during this time that I came face to face with the consequences of my addiction. I was over 650 pounds and an asthmatic and two blood clots had released to my heart. It was also during this time that I realized how much God loved me. I realized this because after I acknowledged Steve and he prayed for me I felt the warmest most soothing, comfortable sensation I had ever experienced and had no doubt that it was God himself touching me. I knew I would be okay. It was after this experience that I informed my family that I would be going to college in January, this was October and I had started attending the previous July. The response was “Wes, you are dying.” I knew otherwise, and within the week would prove it. After having a CT scan done, my doctors realized there was something happening and my plan of care had to change. I was told I would be transferred to rehab hospital where I would be for the next two years or until I learned how to walk again. I insisted that I would be back in school in January. I was transferred to the rehab hospital where I would I spend ten days and then proudly walk out of the front doors with my father who had said, “ we walked in here , and we are going to walk out.” I would take the next few weeks to regain my strength, I then returned to school that January. Over the next eight years I would earn my Associates degree in human services with an emphasis on Drug and Alcohol counseling as well as become a provisionally licensed alcohol and drug counselor. I would use that to follow my true calling in ministry to be chaplain and earn my B.S. in biblical studies/Christian ministry as well as my M.A. in Biblical studies and Christian ministry while at the same time completing a very intensive clinical pastoral education residency for one year. As I look back over the time since Steve asked me that question, I realize just how big, loving, merciful, and powerful my God is. I also realize how much I mean to Him. I make it my mission to show others especially those trapped in the disease of addiction that there is hope and they have great value and potential and if they will just trust God they can accomplish things they have never dreamed of.

Deb Ludemann, BS, LADC Community Service Clinician Spring has sprung! “If these walls could talk”; imagine what the walls of the lecture hall would say. As I survey the new look of the lecture hall, with color on the walls and carpet on the floor, I can’t help but think of the countless footsteps that have passed over our now-extinct tiles. Think of those walls and tiles and the stories they could tell: the Hot Seats they have witnessed, the small groups and lectures where, for many, a tiny spark of hope was ignited. We’ve got a new look; same healing process. It’s all good. I do kind of miss the sounds of chairs scraping though. Spring has sprung! Doesn’t that just make you want to jump on your motorcycle and ride? GREAT IDEA!. Join us for the 5th annual “Ride Through the Valley” motorcycle ride on Saturday, June 7. Better yet, come on up on Friday, June 6th for Renewal Day and stay another day. Join us for breakfast before the ride on Saturday and then dinner and a speaker after. All money raised goes toward patient needs. Thanks again to Mike H for heading this up and for all the work he puts into it. Call us to register at 402 336-3747 or visit www.valleyhope.org and click on Events.

AC/ESS and Family counselor Anne as she prepares for “Family Dynamics” lecture. Willing to pose to show new paint job………

…..while Monte takes one for the team in volunteering to show off our new carpet. Thanks Monte!

CHANDLER
Chandler Valley Hope - Ashley Barnett, LSAT - Counselor It is always a true blessing to see Alumni come back to receive medallions, visit, speak, and share their experience, strength and hope with those who are in the same chairs they once were. During the holidays it is amazing to see so many old faces and hear about their journeys over the past weeks, months and years. It brings so much hope and encouragement to patients and staff. Christmas was a wonderful sight to see at Chandler with the facility lit up and beautiful. Seeing everyone with their families and loved ones warmed our hearts; it was amazing to share that experience with you. Santa came in and blessed so many with gifts and laughter. Alumni showed their support and joined in on the festivities. Santa’s Little Helper was an alumnus from Chandler Valley Hope that brought so much character and enthusiasm to his role as the elf! Smiles were big and hearts were open. It was a wonderful and uplifting experience. As the days passed and Christmas was over we were truly blessed to continue seeing the wonderful faces of our Alumni. You truly remind us that this program does “work if you work it”. It is the Alumni that continue coming back and showing their support that helps bring hope and faith that people do make it even when others have not. Recently at our facility, we have seen so many alumni come back and sit with our current patients to provide guidance and support in early recovery. Alumni have also been joining us on our recreational outings, showing our patients that you can have fun in sobriety. We can be silly and goofy without the use of drugs and alcohol. We have been blessed to engage in events such as softball, kickball and laser tag. The patients and Alumni seem to find such joy in these activities. It is truly amazing to watch a patient come in so fragile, broken, lonely and sick and then over time to see them come out of their shell. We get to observe them running bases, hitting home runs, laughing, joking and receiving MVP Awards! Alumni are a huge part of our facility and remind us that people do overcome struggles and live happy, healthy lives. We are blessed to have each and every one of you and I am grateful to walk this journey and to see you succeed in life. Keep coming back! I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the Alumni who came back and received their One Year Medallions for the months of October, November and December!!! They include: Peter A, Charles G, Lindsay L, Lindsey C, Miguel L, Shahin S, Jacqueline W, Benjamin B, Angela B, Foy T, Casey B, Pamela A, Nicholas C, Raymond B, Ginger R, Richard S, Todd H, Robert W, Joseph R, Adam L, Kristie B, Raymond C, and Robert B. You are all amazing! Keep up the good work!

Laser Tag Picture: left to right: Jodi M, Connie C, Danielle S, Nick L, Daniel S, Joan B, James M, Jeffrey W, Ashley B, Greg B, Cory O and Ryan W

ARIZONA

SAVE THE DATE!!
Hole Sponsorship (without purchase of foursome) - $500
Tee Sponsor with your company name and logo along with a Valley Hope impact statement at tee box.

Foursome - $500 ($125 Per Player)
Golf includes 18-holes of golf, cart rental, and luncheon during wawards ceremony foursomes are suggest and a special drawing will be held for pre-registered teams

Hole Sponsorship (with purchase of foursome) - $950
Total Tee Sponsor with the purchase of 1 foursome and your company name and logo along with a Valley Hope impact statment at tee box.

CHANDLER/TEMPE VALLEY HOPE GOLF CLASSIC
Saturday, April 26th, 2014
7:30am Shotgun Start
Vistal Golf Club - 701 E. Thunderbird Trail - Phoenix, AZ 85042
Closest to the pin, longest drive for both men and women, raffle for golf gear and much more. Lunch can be purchased separate from packages listed. Come join the Fun!!

2nd Annual

TEMPE
Tempe Talk - Carol L. Farmer, M.A. Counselor Halloween seemed like a normal day at the office for the Tempe Valley Hope crew. A few of us wore clothes that revealed our true personalities while the rest of the staff dressed up like office workers! One staff member was added to our team October 14, 2013. Carol Farmer graduated with her M.A. in Counseling from the University of TX at San Antonio and moved to the Phoenix area to start her career near her grandbabies. She is working with IOP Plus patients as well as on-ground and AC/ESS continuing care groups. We are proud of our patients, alumni and family members that host five twelve step meetings at our facility each week: Tuesday: CoAnon 6:00; Pills Anonymous 7:15; Young With Hope 8:00 Wednesday: Big Book Study 4:30 Thursday: Alumni twelve step meeting 6:00

Chandler 480-899-3335 -Tempe 480-831-9533 visit www.valleyhope.org/special-events [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/ArizonaValleyHope

Hosted by: Tempe & Chandler Valley Hope, VH Alumni Association, & the Hope Builders Board

As we begin the New Year, we are committed to creating an environment of love and support. "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one." — C.S. Lewis Pictured to the left: Patti Pomeroy has secret fantasies of living her life as a traveling gypsy. Hank Allen a circus clown. Shay Vasudeva always wanted to be a bag of bones, Mike Japenga said he had to go see a man about a horse, Carol Farmer returned to her KS heritage, with her ruby red slippers and Toto

19

ARIZONA

GRAPEVINE
Hello Alumni, Family, and Friends, 2014 is here and in full swing. Whether we are trying hard to work off those few extra holiday goodies or working on one of those not always kept resolutions, the beginning of a new year is an opportunity. We have the opportunity to reflect and to put forth good effort into making this new year a bright, joyful, and fulfilling one. Our maintenance department, with the help of others, is working hard to get three new admission offices ready. The new rooms will help the new patient, who is here to be admitted, experience a more relaxing and inviting setting. Along with these new offices, we are all excited about many new things coming about at Grapevine. Headed up by Suzanne W, our Alumni Coordinator, the ground breaking ceremony for the Garden of Hope was January 31st at our monthly renewal day. It was a big celebration and the work on the Garden of Hope is underway. Make sure to look for pictures in the next issue and you can read more details about this project at alumnihopeline.com. Much happiness to ya’ll in 2014 from Grapevine, Texas! Michelle Lowrance, Receptionist Grapevine Valley Hope Grapevine Alumni Newsletter We need all alumni to stop by on or after Jan 31st, 2014 and put your name and sobriety date on a recovery rock. The rocks will go in the Serenity Garden. We had two beautification projects last year to begin our Serenity Garden. A very special thanks goes out to Kenny G. and his family and John O’ C. for all their hard work, making the projects a success! What’s NEW in 2014 – NEW YEAR – NEW YOU! The 2nd Saturday of every month, we will now have a beginner’s yoga class, taught by a certified instructor. Join us in the gym of GVH from 3pm – 5pm. Bring a yoga mat and/or towel if possible. Water will be provided. Alumni Recovery Meeting – EVERY Saturday at GVH in the lecture hall. Join us from 6pm – 7pm and come share your experience, strength and hope with the current patient group. Alumni Renewal Day – Last Friday of the month. Join us from 9am – 2pm and enjoy a FREE brunch!! Upcoming Events: February—Softball Practice begins @ the end of February. Cost is $10.00 per player. Date and practice fields TBA. Mid - April, Annual Softball Tournament ( date, time and place. TBA) Get Connected... We have two Alumni Information boards. One is located in the main hallway next to the cafeteria and the 2nd is in the IOP hallway. We encourage all of our alumni to get connected and stay up to date with all the GVH Sober Fun events, fundraisers, etc. Getting connected is simple: Fill out the Alumni Registration Form so that we can send updates, mtg. reminders, sober fun events, etc. Email: [email protected] “When you think you are overdue for a miracle in your life, just remember you are right in the middle of one.”

TEXAS

DENVER
Tara Magatagan - Secretary As we all know, “spring-time” got its name from the time in which new life springs from the ground. It’s hard not to feel the newness encompass one’s state of mind. Grass thrusts itself through the frozen mask of winter and new life is born. And perhaps it is this time that one has a ‘spring’ in their step. At the Denver Valley Hope office, it’s hard not to feel life awaken around us. From the rose buds just starting to take their first breath to the patients who also seem to take their first breath in recovery. I know I speak for everyone at the Denver office when I say, thank goodness winter is over! The dreary cold in addition to the constant renovations were a formidable combination. However, from the cherry wood floors to the sand and cranberry paint, our home-away-from-home has become a truly beautiful place to work. There is a certain comfort in knowing each cold, hard winter comes with the promise of a fresh start in spring. Though each day is a gift, the idea of spring-time transcends throughout our daily life. Even on the worst day we are given the opportunity to start anew. Renowned author Carl Bard once said, “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” From the Denver Valley Hope office, we wish you a brand new day and a beautiful spring.

20

COLORADO

PARKER
Olive Hinnant, MDiv., D.Min., Chaplain We send greetings in 2014! Writing in the middle of winter for a spring Coffee Cup issue is hard. It requires HOPE. Hope that one day soon warmer days, more light and green shoots will transform this white landscape into a beautiful spring day. In the meantime, it helps to remember we are all waiting for this change. “We” is my favorite part of the 12 Steps, the first word. The “we” program. The patients (soon to be alumns), alumni/ae, Valley Hope employees and the larger recovery community are connected through the spirit of recovery. Keeping connected with Alumni/ae is very important—know we value you and rejoice when you return to visit. We started a new activity at Thanksgiving. A bonfire was set up out on the field to gather around on Thanksgiving night. The patients wrote what they were thankful for on a piece of cedar fencing. Then each would share their thanks before throwing the wood into the fire. As the wood pieces burned the fire grew in brightness and warmth just as sharing thanks with others does. We had eighty patients and their family members. We hope it becomes an annual tradition. (see photos) We held a Holiday party for PVH and DVH staff and families on December 8 with a visit from Santa (counselor Mark Blakely), Christmas Carols and a fireside gift exchange. Everyone brought their favorite holiday food to share with special treats. And with over fifty in attendance there was abundance. Our program director, Jenn Horning asked Santa for raises, we hope. (see photos) We had a joyous Alumni/ae holiday celebration on December 16 welcoming back many of you. The patients enjoyed performing their “12 days of Rehab” for the alums. It’s always a highlight to see the creativity of each patient group. Thank you for returning and sharing the joy of your recovery It gives hope to others. We are getting new wood flooring in the commons area. Our nursing area has been physically enhanced and separate medication dispensing rooms to allow for more privacy. However, there is a little jealousy when I read the Coffee Cup news from facilities with “Coffee Cafes, computers and big screen TV’s”! One can always hope! We are grateful to the Valley Hope Builder Board for the AA and NA books that we can give to patients as a sign of hope in their recovery. We are gathering for the 3rd annual Run4Recovery sponsored with Phoenix Multi-Sport (A recovery sports organization in the Denver area) Date TBA If you are interested in helping to support the event as an event sponsor, please contact Jen at Parker Valley Hope. We have our Round-Up event Saturday, June 21 in the afternoon. We hope many of you will join us. Seeing you anytime of the year is a wonderful surprise for us. We wish everyone an early spring, knowing hope will get us closer each day

Bonfire gathering of friends and families

Bonfire cedar wood expressing thanks

21

COLORADO
Santa and friends: Olive Hinnant - Chaplain, Santa Mark Blakeley - Counselor Jen Horning - Program Director & Tami Romano - Counselor

New Assistant Program Director Dwight Duncan & his wife Renee

What's the sign that 'spring has sprung' where you live?
I am in the greater Dallas area (McKinney). The flowers are starting and the trees have new leaves growing. Richard L. The sign that spring has sprung in Arizona is the first day it hits over 100 degrees. Doug G. Bird activity increases and many of us note the return of robins....and many begin to clean up yards and haul yard trash away. Duane G. from Nebraska The blooming of crocus and daffodils in Oklahoma Jack The spring time in Ozarks conference in Eureka Springs Arkansas! Mike H. The first time I get bit by a mosquito or swat a fly. When the local drive-in movie theatre is running it’s first movie of the season. Justin F. The sign that spring is truly here is when "Daffney" the duck flies back and sets up her nest is our pool area of our backyard. This is a sign of rebirth, and beauty. People usually respond negatively, such as 'the duck in the pool!! How disgusting!', but to me this is confirmation of God's hand at work. When she returns this year, it will be the 4th year of this miracle of new life. Robert M. in Texas

YOU ASKED...FRIENDS IN RECOVERY ANSWERED & JUST FOR LAUGHS

Spring cleaning can also apply to recovery. What kinds of things are you willing to 'let go of' in order to live a life in recovery?
Spring Cleaning myself in recovery: I'm willing to let go of "trying to change others" and leave that task to God. Only he can change the heart. Bobbette H. I am giving up the college bowl season, greatly down playing the Super Bowl and going to more meetings. Richard L. I’m willing to give up the idea of always needing more and more (material things) and be grateful for the many and wonderful things I already have. Anonymous I immediately think of personal inventories. Spring is a good time to review and study positives and negatives. Take a moment to GIVE THANKS to the Almighty, our HP, for allowing us to prevail and progress. Spring is a good time to make adjustments, including review of intended amends. Have a nice day! Duane G. I hope my addict son will continue to "let go" of relationships with those that are a negative influence on him. Jack I practice the third step daily. Life is much better when I’m not in charge. Mike H.

By: Ben Ben the Fisherman www: recoverycartoons.com

22