Katrina B. (RGW/Marlowe)

Is there fun to be found in recovery?

There is for Rosecrance alumni and their families. Check out what we have in store for you! Events and workshops are open to alumni and their families. This allows everyone the chance to experience recovery at its finest. If you would like to register, have questions or ideas, or want to help out with an event, contact Missy Garrison, Alumni Coordinator at 815-387-2537 or mgarrison@rosecrance.org.

"The picnic was a great way to meet and fellowship with other alums and their families!
Games and raffles were exciting and fun, along with a little competition!"
-Crystal N. (RGW/Hillman Parent)

For more information on alumni events or to get involved contact Missy Garrison, Alumni Coordinator @ 815-387-2537 or mgarrison@rosecrance.org . You can also find all of the alumni events at rosecrance.org by clicking on the Alumni tab. Follow Rosecrance on Facebook and Twitter.

Living Life on Life's Terms with 12 Steps

by Shivani K.

We understood each other without having to say much at all. When I got sober, both my grandmother and grandfather were among my top supporters. Losing her has taken a deep toll not only on me, but also on my entire family, especially my grandfather and mother.

My grandparents had been together for 60 years (*que “Love Like Crazy* by Lee Brice) and shared the most genuine undying love with each other and for their entire family. But what she had that taught me the most, what she held more closely to her heart than anything in the whole wide world, my grandmother had faith. For as far back as I can remember my grandparents had faith in a God of their understanding.

When I was living in the Monarch (Marlowe) house we would talk on the phone quite often. On one particularly difficult night I called her hoping to find some comfort. I can still hear her telling me, “In your weakest moments and lowest lows, find comfort and hope in God. I don’t care who your God is; it doesn’t have to be the same as mine. Just find faith in something and hold on to it for dear life. Let it be your guide and let it handle the tough stuff. And remember that we don’t have control over the world, God does. Cause baby girl, if we did, the world would be a complete mess.”

There was a time I was angry with God, or rather angry at the idea of a God because I was unable to wrap my head around how any God would lay such a horrible path for me. I often asked myself questions like “If there were really a God, why am I an alcoholic and drug addict? Why am I 16 years old and living in a halfway house? What did I do to deserve this?”

Being in the program and sitting around the tables of AA you often hear phrases like “just pray about it”, “give it to God” and most commonly “let go and let God”. To a newcomer without any belief in a higher power, I understand how frustrating and difficult it is to comprehend why Step 3 is so crucial to a healthy and happy recovery, I thought the same thing in my first few months sober. But over time, believing in a power greater than myself not only allowed me to process things in a new way, but allowed me to fully appreciate the life I live and take note of how truly fortunate I really am to be alive.

This past month has taken a toll on mine and my family’s life, but with the God of my understanding by my side, I am once again reminded that I am never alone, I do not and will never have control over life, and that through faith in a power greater than myself, suddenly all things are possible.

Alumni Cafe Support Groups: Where Rosecrance alumni are welcome to attend and share what's happening in their lives today. Support your fellow alums with your experience, strength and hope. Find fellowship and fun from the friends who held you up when your recovery first began. Find the alumni cafe that's convenient for you to attend and we encourage you to come a half hour early to network with others.

This Alumni Cafe meets every second Monday from 7 to 8 pm at the Community Christian Church (Yellow Box Church), 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville, IL 60540.

This Alumni Cafe meets every third Thursday of the month from 7 to 8 pm at the Rosecrance Lincoln Park office located at 2835 N Sheffield Avenue, Ste. 209 (ring buzzer), Chicago, IL 60657-5083.