On Wednesday, March 13th, nine of our patients and Kairos men graduated from our New Day Recovery Program. New Day graduation is always a special time at Christ House, complete with music, sharing, food, and many warm emotions.
During each ceremony, each graduate has the opportunity to speak about his recovery journey. Sometimes a graduate will share about his past struggles, his experience as a patient at Christ House, or his hopes for the future.
“Recovery was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life,” said Joel, a longtime Kairos member who volunteers with the Christ House Shower Program. April 15, 2019 will mark Joel’s 10th year as a Kairos member. Over the past decade, Joel has remained involved with our New Day class.
New Day is a 12 step addictions recovery program at Christ House led by our Addictions Counselor, Chris Paukstis. New Day classes take place in the Christ House living room three days a week, and are open to both patients and Kairos members. Since recovery is a lifelong journey that does not end at graduation, individuals who have graduated from New Day are welcome to continue to attend classes and may even graduate from the program more than once.
At the end of each ceremony, New Day graduates are given a graduation certificate signed by our leadership team, a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, and a specially created bronze New Day recovery token, as a reminder to them of the Serenity Prayer and their successful completion of the New Day treatment series. It is always such an honor to be able to bear witness to the vulnerability, determination, and strength of these amazing men. Our entire Christ House community is incredibly humbled and inspired by each graduate.
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