Living Large 1st Ed

Living Large n AUGUST 2014 1
By SARA C. VANDERLEEST

Ten years of drug use and a
love affair with opiates, I decided
to stare down sadness and pain,
look in the eye at the all-consuming
slow descent into death that had
become my life. The truth was, at
one point heroin worked for me. I
know, you’re not supposed to say
things like that but let’s be real, I
did not think there was any other
option, than death or escape… Es-
cape meant heroin. I chose to live,
I chose to escape.
On that first day of what became
my recovery, I had to mourn my
drug, its absence from my life. Like
some sort of Stockholm syndrome,
I had fallen in love with my captor,
and now missed its abusive but
all-encompassing power it had over
me. Now what was supposed to get
me out of bed? What was going to
put me to sleep? What would make
me feel love or a sense of closeness
to others?
I had to look in the mirror and
stare down the damage, two sons,
one placed for adoption on the day
he was born, another living with his
father, and a daughter who for the
first two years of her precious life
had an opiate addicted mother. I
felt overwhelmed with the trail of
lies and broken trust, everywhere
a sea of disappointed eyes that I
couldn’t rebuke.
With the same tenacity that I
had in my using days, I tackled
recovery, when traditional meth-
ods did not seem to work for me,
I searched on my own, I utilized a
Dialectical Behavior therapy group,
I started gardening, and I really dug
into past traumas and learned how
to rescue myself. I was inspired to
start helping others and advocating
for vulnerable populations. I found
PASSION, I believed in a world
and universe greater than the one I
thought was available to me.
Six years after that fateful first
day, now working as a Recovery
Coach, working with two non-prof-
its, and speaking nationally on trau-
ma informed care and its impact
on system change. Knowing that I
have a voice that is being listened to
has become my passion and calling.
As I look at my three beautiful
children, I also look back on my
struggle, traumas and recklessness
with a strange sense of fondness.
Without them I know I would not
be the mother, advocate and friend
that I have become.
People in recovery are the brav-
est group I have ever known, we
take trauma and pain and face it
head on, we overcome, learn, and
grow. We become self-aware; we
champion the recovery of those
suffering around us. We utilize
our strengths to heal each other’s
broken wounds; we are proud but
humble, strong and ever changing.
A group I am proud to be a part of.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Living Large
AUGUST 2014DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN RECOVERY
“I chose to live,
I chose to escape.”
RECOVERY IS BRAVE
Recovery
ALLIESADVOCATE • CELEBRATE • EDUCATE
A PUBLICATION OF RECOVERY ALLIES OF WEST MICHIGAN
2 From our Partners
Perspective
3 Recovery Homes
and Resources
4 Chef Kevin’s Kitchen
Felony-Friendly Employers
5 Upcoming Training & Events
From the 49507
6 Alano Club Meetings
Directory
7 Support Group
Directory
8 Featured Board Member
Meet Our Board Members
and Staff
Assistant Director
recoveryallies.us
Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Director
Sara Vanderleest, Assistant Director
Recovery Community Organization (RCO)
Phone: 616-262-8531• Email: kevin@recoveryallies.us

AUGUST 2014 n Living Large2
My name is Kevin McLaughlin and I
am a person in long-term recovery, which
for me, means I have not had a drink or
used a drug in 11 years. That is how I prefer
to introduce myself today.
There are over 25 million Americans
in recovery today in the United States. I
am proud to be one of them. Although not
every one of us is able to say it publicly,
if the rest of us do, the health issue of
addiction will come out of the shadows and
into the light. By standing up and saying
“I am in recovery”, I am sharing with the
world that addiction treatment does work,
that people can get well, there is indeed life
after addiction.
It’s safe to say that there is a revolution
happening in America today.
I am the executive director of Recovery
Allies of West Michigan. Recovery Allies
is a grass roots organization that is for the
people, by the people. We are considered
a “peer run organization” and have 501
c3 nonprofit status. We are funded by
individuals and families affected by
addiction, by private philanthropy and
grants issued by the state for peer run
organizations as well as various other
organizations that want to see change.
We are one of over 95 in the nation at
this time and have taken many cues from
those that have been doing it for a long
time. We Advocate, Celebrate and Educate
(ACE). The national RCO Faces and
Voices of Recovery have this on their web
site: “Recovery community organizations
(RCOs) are the heart and soul of the
recovery movement. In the last ten years,
RCOs have proliferated throughout the
US. They are demonstrating leadership
in their towns, cities and states as well
as on the national landscape. They have
become major hubs for recovery-focused
policy advocacy activities, carrying out
recovery-focused community education
and outreach programs, and becoming
players in systems change initiatives.
Many are also providing peer-based
recovery support services. RCOs share
a recovery vision, authenticity of voice
and are independent, serving as a bridge
between diverse communities of recovery,
the addiction treatment community,
governmentalagencies,thecriminaljustice
system, the larger network of health and
human services providers and systems and
the broader recovery support resources of
the extended community.”
The vision we have includes opening
a Recovery Community Center (RCC).
The center is much like a welcome center
at the state line. If you want to enter
recovery, this is the place to start. Phil
Valentine of CCAR wrote a paper on this
topic and I want to quote him: “A Recovery
Community Center (RCC) is a recovery
oriented sanctuary anchored in the heart
of the community. It exists to put a face
on recovery, to build recovery capital
and to serve as a physical location where
CCAR (Recovery Allies) can organize the
local recovery community’s ability to
care. A RCC is not a treatment agency;
it is not a 12-Step Club and it is not a
drop-in center although aspects of all of
these are apparent. A RCC will deliver
peer-to-peer recovery support services
using its volunteer force as the deliverers
of these services. A RCC is not a place for
people to simply hang out, watch TV, play
cards or pool and attend a daily meeting.
We are not seeking to duplicate existing
resources. Yet, an RCC will host specific
social events. A RCC is not a drop-in center
whose primary purpose is to refer and
help people get into treatment. Obviously,
people in need of help will enter the RCC
and we will do everything in our power to
assist them.”
One of our goals is to put faces and
voices to recovery. Can you imagine if 25
million Americans shared their story of
recovery? There is a quote in the movie
“the Anonymous People” by Senator
Patrick Kennedy saying “we could end
this thing overnight!” We must wherever
possible share our story of recovery. You
may wonder why I have italicized the word
recovery. I was told that anything in italics
must be important. The word recovery is
indeed important.
Recovery Allies is what is known as a
“Recovery Community Organization” or
an RCO for short. The field of addiction
can be divided into three parts, prevention,
treatment and recovery supports. All are
critical and provide specific needs to our
community and to the individual. Recovery
Allies is one of many components to the
“recovery supports” piece.
Another of our goals is to bring pockets
of or community together that supports
recovery. We know that many things
can threaten a person’s early recovery,
everything from a billboard to a college
campus. By finding and bringing together
anyone and everything that supports
recovery we can create an environment
that is safe and increase the likelihood
of recovery taking hold. We know that
those exposed to addiction are more likely
to experience it. We also know that those
exposed to recovery for long periods are
also more likely to experience it!
There are many forces at work here.
This is a time of great and much needed
change. Our system of treatment and lack
of long-term supports is why most people
aren’t able to recover the first time around
and why many never recover. We need
to address many elements of the problem
and of the solution at the same time.
Some of those elements are the funding
for treatment and long term recovery
supports, the language we use and the
stigma and shame behind why many of
us are reluctant to share our recovery with
other. We will talk more about all of this in
future issues of Living Large. The message
I really want to send is that we know people
have a much better chance of sustainable
recovery with help. The term “recovery
supports” is exactly what that is, support in
your recovery. We will accomplish this if
we….. Advocate, Celebrate and Educate!!!
FROM THE DIRECTOR
By Kevin McLaughlin
FROM OUR PARTNERS PERSPECTIVE
By Amanda Tarantowski
As I sat in the interview chair the
Substance Use Planning Director, Mark
Witte, asked me, “So…what’s your
philosophyrelatedtosubstanceuse?”Using
my current work in oncology as a reference
point, I responded, “I see substance use
as a chronic health condition. After active
treatment for oncology patients we have
an entire regimen of structured follow-
up, including periodic medical check-in’s,
peer-support services, advocacy groups,
fundraising run/walks and a nationally
recognized day dedicated specifically to
celebrating cancer survivors. There has
been research that shows that cancer
patients experience the highest amounts of
anxiety at two points, the day of diagnosis,
and the day that active treatment stops.
These findings are what led us to institute
this support structure…but…when I think
about the field of addiction, I’m not sure
what happens for most people after they
leave detox, or a treatment center.” Mark
told me later that it was this answer that
landed me the job as the Substance Use
Contract Manager, in spite of (what I
believed was) minimal experience in the
field of addiction.
The past year has been a whirlwind
of learning for me… but one of my most
memorable experiences thus far was the
opportunity to observe an entire Recovery
Coach training session. As a licensed
MSW, I must admit that I was unsure at
first. I have always believed in the power
of peers, but I was nervous about coaches
providing therapy for clients. The training
completely eradicated these concerns.
The trainers spoke clearly about what a
coach contributes to a therapeutic team,
about how to effectively use their “lived
experiences”, and about the importance
of “staying in your lane”. I left the training
thinking to myself…” I wish that more
therapists would remember to stay in their
lane!” I also left the training having met
some wonderful people in various stages
of recovery who are doing some amazing
things in our community.
Looking ahead, we have our work cut
out for us in terms of educating the public
about the nature of addiction… that is a
chronichealthcondition,thattraumamore
often than not, plays a role in its initiation
or continuance, and about what evidence-
based treatments are proven to help to
arrest this illness. It will take a community
of advocates – physicians, therapists,
legislators and peers – to tackle this
dauntingtask.Muchofthisbigworkbegins
with small steps… educating and training
coaches, strengthening the many paths to
recovery, and celebrating those who are
survivors. Groups such as Recovery Allies
of West Michigan and events like Recovery
Palooza have begun this essential step-by-
step work in Kent County.
I still believe what I said in my
interview, I dream of a day when substance
use is treated in the same way as diabetes
or heart disease or cancer. And I believe
that it can happen soon, which is why I am
so excited about my new role, and am so
blessed to be working alongside so many
survivors in recovery. Let’s do this work
together!
Amanda
Tarantowski
L.M.S.W.,
Contract Manager,
Substance Use
Division, NW180
Kevin
McLaughlin
Executive Director,
Recovery Allies
of Michigan

RECOVERY HOMES
RECOVERY HOMES
UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY
HEALTH FIRST STEP HOUSE –
WOMAN’S HOME
Contact: Rose Simmons
Phone: 616-452-3226 Ext. 3037
MailingAddress: 904 SheldonAve. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
E-mail: rsimmons@umchousegr.org
Website: umchousegr.org
HomeAddress: 922 SheldonAve. SE
HOUSE OF BLESSINGS –
WOMAN’S HOME
Contact: Shellie Cole-Mickens
Phone: Update soon!
Address: 938 Humbolt Street Southeast
918 Hall Street Southeast
NEXT PHASE – WOMAN’S HOME
Contact: Freddy Martin
Phone: 616.450.0686
Address: 368 SenoraAve Southeast
SACRED BEGINNINGS –
WOMAN’S HOMES
Contact: Leslie Borrego
Phone: 616-890-8278
E-mail: leslieborrego@gmail.com
HomeAddress: 1165 Hermitage SE
1366 Elliott SE
Website: www.sbtp.org
STEP FORWARD RECOVERY HOMES
Address: GrandvilleArea
Contact: Jo Ringnalda
Phone: 616-662-0881
THE COMFORT HOME
Address: South East Grand Rapids area
Contact: Ron and Laurie DeBose
Phone: 616-459-1930
MY SISTER’S HOUSE
(WOMEN IN RECOVERY)
Address:761 Bridge Street NW
Phone: 616-235-0223
RECOVERY ROAD LLC –
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S HOMES
Contact: Shelly Demull
Phone: 888-588-0434
Website: recoveryroadllc.com
HomeAddress: 961Alpine NW
3036 Perry SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
HOPE HOUSE – MEN’S HOME
Contact: Matt Matlock
Phone: 616-915-4664 or 616-246-6369
MailingAddress: 1036Alexander SE
NEXT PHASE RECOVERY –
MEN’S HOME
Contact: Freddy Martin
Phone: 616-450-0686
Address: 1145Alexander SE
RECOVERY ROAD CHARITIES –
TWO HOUSES FOR MEN
Address:Alpine and Kentwood locations
Contact: Cameron Stockwell
Phone: 616-915-0594
FAITH CHARITY RECOVERY CENTER –
COUPLES HOME
Address: 2219 HortonAve SE
Contact: Dan or ZoeAnn
Phone: 616-247-4744 or 616-808-5106
TOUCHSTONE RECOVERY
Address: 138Travis St SE
Contact: Kevin O’Hare
Phone: 616-558-4958, Cell: 734-309-
3091
PINE REST JELLEMA HOUSE
Contact: Derrick Jackson
Phone: 616-222-6861
MailingAddress: 523 Lyon Street
BUILDING MEN FOR LIFE
Address: Ottawa County
Contact: JeffVantrees
Phone: 616-393-2188
GRAND RECOVERY
Address: PO Box 1060, Grand Rapids, MI
Contact: Sanford Cummings
Phone: 616-516-6537
2014 Sponsorship Registration Form
Location: Ah-Nab-Awen- Grand Rapids, MI.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, August 25, 2014
Contact Information
(All correspondence will be sent to this person.)
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Name: _____________________________________________ Title: ________________________________
Company: __________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________ City:_____________________ Zip: ________
Phone: _________________________ Fax: _________________________ Email: _____________________
On-Site Contact (day of event), if different from person above:
Name: _____________________________________________ Title: ________________________________
Phone: _________________________ Cell: _________________________ Email: _____________________
*PLEASE SEE Sponsorship Packet (for specifics concerning benefits and levels of sponsorship)
*Indicate below your choice of Sponsorship:
I will support the National Recovery Month at level _____
Our organization will support National Recovery Month at level _____
PAYMENT – CIRCLE ONE: CASH CHECK MONEY ORDER Total amount due:___________
SIGNATURE ____________________________________ Date:______________________
Make Checks Payable to: NCADD-GDA Payment is due in full (sorry no refunds).
Return form and payment to NCADD-GDA, Attn: MI Celebrate Recovery XIV
2400 E. McNichols, Detroit, MI 48212
313-868-1340 office, 313-865-8951 fax
Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of treatment for substance use and mental
disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment providers, and
promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the
positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works,
treatment is effective and people can and do recover. Your contribution makes it possible for
these vitally important messages to be heard.
The Michigan Celebrate Recovery Walk & Rally XIV celebrates and honors the successes of
the millions of Americans in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. Join people in
recovery, their family members and friends, addiction treatment professionals and others in
speaking out about the reality of recovery.
MICHIGAN CELEBRATE RECOVERY WALK & RALLY XIV PARTNERS
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Greater Detroit Area | CARE | Macomb County Office of
Substance Abuse | Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards | Michigan Association of Substance
Abuse Coordinating Agencies (MASACA) | Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit | Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center
| Detroit Recovery Project | Detroit Department of Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment &
Recovery | Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) | Oakland County Health Division | Spectrum | Doorway
to Recovery |St. John Eastwood | Project Vox | Touchstone Recovery | Genesee County Mental Health | Network 180 |
Prevention Network | Al-Anon | Recovery Allies of West Michigan
MICHIGAN CELEBRATE RECOVERYWALK & RALLY XIV PARTNERS
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Greater Detroit Area | CARE | Macomb County Office of
Substance Abuse | Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards | Michigan Association of Substance
Abuse Coordinating Agencies (MASACA) | Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit | Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center
| Detroit Recovery Project | Detroit Department of Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention,Treatment &
Recovery | Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) | Oakland County Health Division | Spectrum | Doorway
to Recovery |St. John Eastwood | ProjectVox |Touchstone Recovery | Genesee County Mental Health | Network 180 |
Prevention Network | Al-Anon | Recovery Allies ofWest Michigan

Ahhh… It’s a beautiful day. The sky is blue. The air is
warm. It’s the weekend. All the yard work is done. I have
the grill tool in my left hand and, wait! Nothing in my
right hand?!? Oh no, I feel incomplete. I do not know how
to cook outside with my right hand empty!
Seriously though, this is a pretty realistic scenario
that may cause us to consider drinking if not actually
drink. I remember after being sober for a while, standing
next to the grill on a Friday evening by the lake, listening
to the powerboat scream across the lake and saying, “You
know what? This is ridiculous. I drink. It’s how I unwind,
it’s how I have fun, and it’s how I cook. I’m just that guy
who drinks on a Friday.” Six hours later, I was in jail. I
could have been better prepared for that moment.
I know many of us heading into the summer months
will have a similar moment. If I drill down to the truth, I
drank all year long. I didn’t drink any more because it was
summer. I think drinking more frequently in the summer
is common for people that aren’t alcoholics and I took
advantage of that. I blended in a little. One more truth
I get a kick out of is the fact that walking in the hot sun
pushing a mower in one hand while holding a beer in the
other was fun. It was not. The truth is that the beer got all
shook up, got hot and tasted awful. Ahhh summer…
Now I’m going to stand out. If I go to all of the
same functions and get-togethers and politely say, “No
thanks,” people will notice. It’s really important to lay
low for a while. The first year I didn’t do much summer
socializing. Nevertheless there were some get-togethers I
should have and did attend, like Mothers’ Day, birthdays
and going-away parties. I did not do the typical drinking
events like Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor
Day. Easier to explain why I couldn’t come than why I
wasn’t drinking.
So back to what to do with that empty hand. Many
people in early recovery feel the need to fill the hand
with a new beverage. I’ve never heard of that being a bad
idea. I have a list of typical choices and why I think they
are either good or bad. The first on the bad list is non-
alcoholic beer. Filling the space with that is a bad idea.
As someone once told me, “Of course we can’t drink that.
It says right on the label that it’s for non-alcoholics!”
It contains alcohol. Period. Second on the list is any
beverage served in a rocks glass. It may seem like a good
idea at first, maybe to blend in or whatever. I found that
not only is it easy to mistake your glass for someone else’s
it’s kind of like a little piece of denial. Pretending is not
good for me now. I need to see thing as they are. It’s good
for me.
Second on the list of bad are certain flavors of pop
(called soda in the rest of the world). The two main
reasons are sugar and caffeine. Sugar is bad for so many
reasons I don’t have enough time or room to go into it.
Let’s just say it makes us feel better initially, then restless,
irritable, and discontent shortly thereafter. The second
reason is the caffeine. Caffeine is a drug. I talk to so many
people in early recovery that can’t sleep and are anxious
as heck. My first question is, “How much caffeine are
you drinking?” The answers never surprise me neither
does the quantity. When the young lady shared with me
what her anxiety causes her to feel like, she in essence,
described a panic attack. I asked her how much soda
she was drinking and what is your drink of choice?’ Her
answer was Diet Coke™ and no more than two 2-liters a
day.Isuggestedshemightjustcutbackalittle…Turnsout,
she has insomnia. Can’t sleep so she needs something to
help stay awake. Too much “help” staying awake and not
able to sleep. It’s a very typical cycle many people are in,
regardless of alcohol or drug addiction. I think one soda
a day is realistic. Drinking Diet Coke™ all evening at a
party can cause a headache.I went to listen to a band with
friends one night, and drank diet soda the whole time.
Turns out the combination of talking over loud music in
a smoky bar and too much soda with caffeine can cause
a hangover. I felt like I was hit by a truck the next day!
Again, water would have been a better choice. Squirt™
or Fresca™ are pretty safe choices. They have flavor, no
caffeine, bubbles (we just like a party!) and lower sugar
than most. The fruit soda like orange or grape Crush™
have more sugar than twice the daily allowance, around
11 teaspoons. That’s the same as 17 Chips Ahoy™ cookies!
My least favorite of the soda choices is Mountain Dew™.
It is the natural choice for many in recovery because it
satisfies the need for sugar and replacing the need for
sleep. It contains more caffeine than any other soda.
On the list of good beverage choices is water. I
really had to get used to drinking it. Once my thirst
was quenched, casually sipping for the sake of sipping
was just plain boring. Reasons it’s good – it’s one of the
only beverages that actually does quench your thirst; we
need it to survive; the majority of our bodies are made
up of water; and it’s cheap or even free. I think it’s funny
that the more they take out of water the more it costs. If
you dare drink from a tap you’ll get more minerals and
actually pay nothing!. If you’re not a big fan of plain old
water, then add a wedge of some kind of fruit.
For some other quick quenchers, keep a good supply
of juices, sodas and seltzers on hand to help create instant
refreshment without fuss and to relieve the beverage
boredom. Mix and match your own combinations but
just be sure to refrain from using any mixer that may be a
personal trigger for you.
The main issue is that if we need to fill our hand with
something or give ourselves a treat after mowing the
lawn, there are good choices and bad. I have found that
over time, it is not necessary for me to have something in
my hand to fit in. Believe it or not you may not be the only
one not drinking alcohol. I know it’s shocking, but lots of
people don’t drink!
Enjoy summer!!
Here are a few quick quencher ideas fromThe
Sober Kitchen cookbook!
ORANGEADE: 2 parts orange juice, 1 part seltzer or club soda
GRAPEFRUIT COOLER: 3 parts grapefruit juice, 1 part
seltzer or club soda
PINEAPPLE PUNCH: 1 part pineapple juice, 1 part orange
juice, 1 part ginger ale
WHITE GRAPE PUNCH: 2 parts white grape juice, 1 part
seltzer or club soda, lemon
Some other fun beverages to make are
homemade lemon- or limeade.If you have a
blender, fruit smoothies are also a good choice.
Just go easy on the sugar and don’t drink them in
a margarita glass! Here are some easy summer
recipes:
STRAWBERRY-BANANA SMOOTHIE
1 c. fresh or frozen strawberries, 1 ripe banana, cut into 1-inch
pieces, 1Tbsp. sugar, 1 c. milk
LIMEADE
1 c. fresh lime juice, ¼ c. sugar, 3 c. cold water
ORANGE CREAMSICLE SMOOTHIE
1 scoop orange sherbet or sorbet, 8 oz vanilla yogurt, 1Tbsp honey,
¼ c. milk
From Chef Kevin’s Kitchen:
Does the left hand know what the
right hand isn’t doing?
Chef Kevin
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2121 CelebrationsAve
Bob Evans
3766 Potomac Cr.
Grandville
CARLOS O’KELLY
MEXICAN CAFÉ
4977 28th Street
CHECKERS
RESTAURANT
1131 Michigan NE
TGI FRIDAYS
3345 28th St. Se
LITTLE CAESAR’S
RESTAURANTS
NEW BEGINNINGS
RESTAURANT’S
KENTUCKY FRIED
CHICKEN
28th Street
MONGOLIAN BBQ
2619 28th Street
CHILI’S BAR GRILL
River town Crossings Mall
E3 BISTRO
3075 28th Street SW
FIRE MOUNTAIN
3725Alpine NW
BIG BOY
RESTAURANTS
MOVING COMPANIES
FORT KNOX
STORAGE AND
MOVING INC.
1514 JeffersonAve SE
BIG BROTHER
3470 Roger B. Chaffe
Grand Rapids, MI
TWO MEN AND A
TRUCK
912 47th St
Grand Rapids, MI
STATUS DELIVERY
4156 Danvers Court SE
ALLIED VAN LINES
Contact: Philo Frost
STORES
ADMIRAL TOBACCO
2333 44th St. SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
MC SPORTS
3070 Shaffer SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
EASTSIDE TATTOOS
1409 Robinson Rd. SE
THE HOME DEPOT
257 54th ST
Wyoming, MI 49548

UPCOMING TRAINING & EVENTS
ADVOCACY TRAINING, HOSTED BY RECOVERY
ALLIES OF WEST MICHIGAN
JULY 25, 2014, 8:AM-4:30PM
NORTH CLUB, BALCONY
FACILITATED BY STEVEN SAMRA MPS
CALL 616-254-9988 FOR REGISTRATION INFO
About This Training
With this training you will learn how to:
n Identify and discuss individual, family, and
community (local, state and/or national) concerns
that impact peers.
n Formulate an attainable plan of action in
response to a community health need.
n Identify and describe local and national resources
to effectively advocate for the well-being of
consumers/peers, families and communities
n Communicate effectively with community groups
and various forms of media.
n Find and use evidence and date to communicate,
educate, affect attitude change, and/or obtain
funding to achieve specific health/project/
outcomes
n Identify and communicate with key legislators,
community leaders, child advocates, and/or
agency administrators and child and family health
concerns.
n Describe the steps necessary to mobilize for
action and advocacy
About Steven Samra, MPA
Steven is anAssociate at the Center for Social
Innovation.After entering recovery in 1999 from
homelessness, substance use and mental health
challenges, Steven has dedicated his career
to assisting and advocating for marginalized,
disenfranchised populations. He serves as Deputy
Director and ConsumerAdvisor on SAMHSA’s
Bringing Recovery Supports to ScaleTechnical
Assistance Center Strategy (BRSSTACS) and has
served in leadership capacities for SAMHSA on
HHRN, PATH and SSH consumer involvement roles.
He Lives in Nashville,TN where he co-founded
a street newspaper,The Contributor, and serves
as an appointed Commissioner on the Nashville
Metropolitan Homelessness Commission.
The cost of this training is $40.
RECOVERY COACH ACADEMY
AUGUST 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 8:30AM-4PM
1020 COLLEGE AVE NE
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
CALL 616-262-8531 FOR REGISTRATION INFO
About This Training
RecoveryAllies ofWest Michigan is hosting the RCA
five-day training opportunity.The training is designed
to prepare participants for employment as a Recovery
Coach as well as inform those that want to attend
that may not be seeking employment as one. The
training will provide participants with an in-depth
and comprehensive training experience focused on
the development of the skills required for a person
to responsibly provide the services of a Recovery
Coach. The training will provide participants tools
and resources useful in providing recovery support
services and will emphasize skills needed to link
people in recovery to needed supports within the
community.
Learning Objectives:
n Describe the roles and functions of a Recovery
Coach
n List the components, core values and guiding
principles of recovery
n Build skills to enhance relationships
n Discuss co-occurring disorders and medicated-
assisted recovery
n Describe stages of change and their applications
n Address ethical issues
n Experience wellness planning
n Practice newly-acquired skills
Who Should Attend:
The RCA is open to individuals who have an interest
in providing support, mentorship, and guidance
to persons with substance use disorders and co-
occurring mental health disorders. Individuals who
are interested in the RCA must be approved for
participation by their employer, a coordinating agency
or endorsed by someone in the community that
can speak as a reference. RCA participants should
themselves be individuals in stable recovery, as it is
important to those served that their coach have a
personal understanding of addiction and recovery.
The cost of this training is $400 and worth 32
MCBAP hours. Lunch is included.
Call 616-262-8531 for registration information.
WESTERN MICHIGAN RECOVERY GOLF
TOURNAMENT
AUGUST 23, 2014
1:30PM, SHOTGUN START
SCOTT LAKE COUNTRY CLUB
911 HAYES RD., NE
COMSTOCK PARK, MI 49321
CALL KEVIN O’NEILL AT 616-301-1491, OR
EMAIL KEVINO.ALANOCLUB@YAHOO.COM
FOR REGISTRATION INFO
About This Event
We are looking for sponsors, golfers,
donations, and dinner guests! Please help us
sustain our successful recovery programs.
Are you a freind of recovery?Are you an employer?
Are you an agency that utilizes the services that the
alano Clubs offer by sending your Clients to meetings
here?Are you a health system that refers patients
to our many programs?All the programs we offer
are free.Thousands of individuals walk through our
doors each and every year.We are an established,
necessary resource, a vlaue to the community, ansd
we are local.We need your help in order to continue
providing these services to the community. Recovery
IS possible, and with your support, our mission
of keeping the doors open for the new person in
recovery happens.
TheAlano Clubs are 501(c)3 non-profit corporations.
All donations are tax-exempt as allowed by law.
MICHIGAN CELEBRATE RECOVERY PALOOZA
SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
AH-NAB-AWEN PARK
MICHIGANCELEBRATERECOVERY.ORG
About This Event
People in recovery from addiction to alcohol
and other drugs, their families, friends, addiction
treatment professionals, elected officials and other
allies will be coming together from across the Great
Lakes Region on September 20, 2014 to celebrate
recovery as part of National Recovery Month.
We’re excited to invite you to join us as a sponsor
of Michigan Celebrate RecoveryWalk & Rally XIIII
for our annual march and rally. Join us in celebrating
the reality of recovery and communicating the
need for services and supports to make it possible
for even more of our friends and neighbors to get
the help they need to recover and give back to our
communities.
Who participates?
Individuals in recovery, their family members and
friends, addiction treatment professionals, prevention
professionals, and the many others who support
healthy communities are all welcome!
The goal
Demonstrate to our friends and neighbors, policy
makers and the media that we can and do recover
from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and
that when we get well, it benefits our families,
communities and nation. Prevention works,
treatment is effective and people recover.
Recovery
ALLIESADVOCATE • CELEBRATE • EDUCATE
TheAlano Club mission is to serve those recovering
from addiction by providing a welcoming place
to support meetings and fellowship
M,T,W,F,Sun 8am-9:30pm • Th 8 am-7pm • Sat 8am-2pm

SUNDAY
9:30 am Balcony Sunday Morning Group
9:30 am 1 ExpectA Miracle
9:30 am 2 Al-Anon SunA.M.
9:30 am 3 Breakfast Group - C
n No Noon Meeting On Sundays
2:00 pm A Sunday Serenity Group
3:30 pm A Sun Big Book Study
5:30 pm Balcony Friendship Group - C
7:00 pm 3 Alanon Book Study
8:00 pm Balcony Young People’sAA
8:00 pm B Sun Night Beginners Group
8:00 pm 5 AA 12 & 12
8:00 pm 2 Sunday Night OpenAl-Anon
MONDAY
9:00 am A Eye Opener Group
9:00 am 2 Al-Anon StepTo Serenity
9:00 am 1 Breathe Easy
Noon Balcony Noon Balcony Group
Noon A AA Lunch Group - C
Noon A AA Lunch Group - C
Noon 1 Surrender Group
Noon 3 No First Drink
Noon 4 Noon Promises Group
Noon 5 Keep On GrowingWomens Stag
Noon B NA–Keep Coming Back
4:00 pm 4 FoodAddictsAwol Group
5:30 pm B Free Pizza Group
8:00 pm A Monday NiteAA
8:00 pm Balcony Life Club Group (Mens)- C
8:00 pm 3 NA OpenTo Change
TUESDAY
9:00 am A Eyeopener Group
Noon B Aa Beginners Group - C
Noon A Aa Group -Issues &Tissues
Noon 2 Al-Anon
4:00 pm Balcony FoodAddicts
5:30 pm 1 Friendship Group - C
6:00 pm 3 WomensWay Thru Steps - C
8:00 pm 2 Al-AnonTues Step Mtg
8:00 pm 3 24 Hours Grouup
WEDNESDAY
9:00 am 2 CourageTo Change (Al-Anon)
Noon A Aa Lunch Group - C
Noon 2 Al-Anon
Noon B Na-Keep Coming Back
6:00 pm 2 Alanon
7:00 pm Library Our Primary Purpose -Aa
8:00 pm A Womens Big Book Study
8:00 pm 1 Men’s Stag- Exp, Str, Hope -C
8:00 pm 3 Barefoot Group- Open
8:00 pm B Bond Street Group (Mens)-C
8:00 pm 2 Al-Anon Wed Mens Stag
THURSDAY
Noon 2 Al-Anon
n Club Closes At 7:00 pm
FRIDAY
9:00 am 1 Breathe Easy Group
9:00 am 2 Stepping Stones (Al-Anon)
Noon 2 Al-Anon
Noon B Na-Keep Coming Back
Noon 5 12 & 12 Study (Open)
Noon 2 AlanonWomen’s Stag
5:30 pm 1 Friendship Group - C
7:00 pm Balcony Kcco Speakers Meeting
8:00 pm 1 Mens Stag- Honesty Group
8:00 pm A Fri NightAa (Mixed)
8:00 pm 2 Fri Night OpenAl-Anon
SATURDAY
8:00 am Balcony FoodAddicts
9:00 am 1 Breathe Easy Group
9:00 am 3 JohnWayne - Men’s Stag - C
11:00 am B NicotineAnonymous
Noon Balcony Men’s Stag
Noon 2 Al-Anon Sat Sunshine
Noon 3 Sat Noon Men’s Stag
n Club Closes At 2:00 pm
ALANO CLUB MEETINGS – KENT COUNTY NON-SMOKING FACILITY. CLOSED MEETINGS – C.
GR.ALANOCLUB.ORG
By CLYDE SIMS, ‘SOLDIER BOY’
We are fortunate at this time, to play
a part in the “Recovery Movement”. In
our community, the need to educate on
the perils of Addiction, particularly with
substance misuse is urgent.
The news is that, we have a wealth
of role models, who have and are
overcoming this dilemma. Through
these people, and the RECOVERY
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, we
have the opportunity to be a part of the
great movement.
Many of our problems in society,
are directly or indirectly connected to
substance misuse, legal and illegal. It
is vital that our schools, faith based
organizations, city and county officials
get on board. I know that churches can
play a significant role, in the leading of
our city in the area, the inner city, where I
reside, needs intensive care in the area of
recovery, as our whole nation does.
This is a shout out, to inform all of our
readers, that peers and recovery coaches
are prepared to help educate, motivate,
and walk along with individuals, and
organizations that are ready to help us
improve lives, and our communities.
The statistics prove that our jails,
prisons, and hospitals are overburdened
with people needing to be healed and a
large percentage of the people have drugs
and/or alcohol as a major contributor.
We need everyone’s help in making a
difference, so again, contact the RCO, to
give input, resources and ideas.
Fromthe49507
“The inner city, where I
reside, needs intensive
care in the area
of recovery,
as our whole nation does.”
Advocacy T-Shirts!
They start some conversations,
that’s for sure!
Only $20
Cameron Stockwell
1961 - 2014
May we all continue his
legacy of advocacy for
the recovering person
and his love for all people!
Proceeds benefit
Recovery Allies.
Get yours today!
Call
616-254-9988

SUPPORT GROUPS
ADULT COMPULSIVE SUPPORT GROUP - GRAND RAPIDS
312 GrandvilleAve
Grand Rapids, MI
director@anxietyresourcecenter.org
FirstTues/Month
7:00-8:30pm
Hair Pulling/Skin Picking Support Group
312 GrandvilleAve
Grand Rapids, MI
3rdTues/Month
7:00-8:30pm
Adult Hoarding Support Group
312 GrandvilleAve
Grand Rapids, MI
Wednesday
7:00-8:30pm
Adults withAnxiety Problems
312 GrandvilleAve
Grand Rapids, MI
3rdTues/Month
7:00-8:30pm
Tourette’s Syndrom Support Group
312 GrandvilleAve
Grand Rapids, MI
1st Monday/Month
5:30-6:30pm
Teen Group, GeneralAnxiety
312 GrandvilleAve
Grand Rapids, MI
2nd & 4thThurs/Month
7:00-8:30pm
Adult OCD Support Group
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS
671 Davis NW Room 116
Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday
10:00am
Steepletown Center
Tammy
2655 EasternAve SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Wednesday
10:00am
Alger Christian Reformed Church
Kelli
1025 3 Mile Rd NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Monday
7:00pm
St.Andrews Episcopal Church
Jerry
525 Cheshire St NE
Grand Rapids, MI
Thursday
5:30pm
Second Congregational United Church of Christ
Kate
1449Wilcox Park Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Sunday
6:00PM
St.ThomasTheApostle Church Ministry Center
SMART RECOVERY - GRAND RAPIDS
Steve
40 JeffersonAve SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday 6:30-8:00pm
Catholic Charities
RECOVERY ACADEMY - PEER ART STUDY GROUP
Mike
282 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI
mike@recoveryacademy.net
616-233-0884
Monday
12:30-2:30pm
RecoveryAcademy
RECOVERY ACADEMY - DUAL RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP
Mike
282 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI
Wednesday
5:30-7:00pm
RecoveryAcademy
RECOVERY ACADEMY - WELLNESS SUPPORT GROUP
Mike
282 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday
12:00-1:30pm
RecoveryAcademy
RECOVERY ACADEMY - SCHIZOPHRENIC ANONYMOUS
Mike
282 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI
Tuesday
3:00-4:00pm
RecoveryAcademy
RECOVERY ACADEMY - DBT SUPPORT GROUP
Mike
282 Leonard NW
Grand Rapids, MI
Thursday
1:30p-3:00pm
RecoveryAcademy
THE NETWORK - A.C.T. (ALLIES COMING TOGETHER)
343AtlasAve SE
Grand Rapids, MI
thenetwork@grlagbt.org
616-458-3511
3rdTues/Month
7:30-9:00pm
The Network
THE NETWORK - ARCUS - YOUTH GROUP
343AtlasAve SE
Grand Rapids, MI
thenetwork@grlagbt.org
616-458-3511
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5thWed
7:00-9:00pm
The Network
Call or email for information on how
YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
with Recovery Allies!GET INVOLVED!!

“The roads to recovery are many
and that the resolution of alcoholism by any
method should be a cause for celebration by
A.A. members.” – Bill Wilson, 1944
Recovery Allies recognizes that there are
many pathways to recovery. Below are
some that we know of.One way to advocate
is to start one in your community!!
Some of the many pathways
n Alcoholics Anonymous – www.aa.org
n Narcotics Anonymous – www.NA.org
n Al-Anon – www.ola.is.org
n Other A’s
n Women in Sobriety – www.womenforsobriety.org
n Men for Sobriety – www.womenforsobriety.org
n Rational Recovery – www.rational.org
n Moderation Management – www.moderation.org
n HAMS – Harm Reduction Abstinence and
Moderation Support – http://hamsnetwork.org
n White Bison – www.whitebison.org
n S.O.S Secular Organization for Sobriety –
www.sossobriety.org
n Life Ring – www.unhooked.com
n SMART Recovery: Self-Management and
Recovery Training-www.smartrecovery.org
n Celebrate Recovery – www.celebraterecovery.com
n HAHA – Health and Healing Advocate's
n Pagans for Sobriety
Online Resources
n Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Administration (SAMHSA) – www.samhsa.gov
n U.S. Department of Health and Human Services –
www.hhs.gov
n National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) –
www.drugabuse.gov
n 24/7 Help Yourself – www.24/7helpyourself.com
n Sober Recovery – www.soberrecovery.com
n Cyber Recovery – www.cyberrecovery.net
n Addiction Tribe – www.addictiontribe.net
FEATURED
BOARD MEMBER
In 1975 John Rhodes entered Bullock
House (the former name of the Project
Rehab’s treatment facility at 200 Eastern Se).
Four months later he walked out the door in
a solid state of denial. What he was told while
he was there stayed with him for fifteen more
years of drinking and heroin use, until he was
ready to make the sacrifices needed to remain
in recovery. When things were at their worst
his thoughts turned to suicide. John was not
willing to make the commitment for change
and recovery until his youngest son was born.
It finally dawned on him that he didn’t
want his child to go through what he went
through, being raised by addicted parents. So
he returned to recovery, committed to change
everything he knew about life and how to live
it.
John returned to school, later becoming
a Certified Addictions Counselor. He says,
“I was going to make my addictions work for
me.”
Today John Rhodes is living what he calls
a responsible and fulfilling life and sees his
dreams come true every day. His former job
in the Intensive Outpatient Program of Life
Guidance services and current job with the
Juvenile Court system are gratifying because
“I help adults and kids, just like me.”
By sharing his story John hopes to motivate
and inspire others. He acknowledges, “I will
never be cured.” But he wants people to know
what he knows, that recovery is a lifelong
journey.
John Rhodes
CADC
Juvenile Court
Meet Our Board Members & Staff
Kevin ONeill
Executive Director
North Alano Club
Margaret Rose
Work Force Development
Cherry Street Health Svcs.
Mark Thomson
Director of Special Projects
D.A. Blodgett - St John’s
Crystal King
Recovery Coach
Arbor Circle
Kristin Reinink
Intake Coordinator and
Recovery Coach
Sanford House
Karima Diggs- Holmes
Recovery Coach
Arbor Circle
Fawn Preston
Executive Director
Unlimited Alternatives
Steve Alsum
Executive Director
Grand Rapids
Red Project
John Rhodes
CADC
Juvenile Court
Thank you to these supporters!

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