Voices of Hope and Recovery

We are inspired by the stories of courage and resilience from those we support. Their journeys of overcoming addiction and finding hope are at the heart of our mission. Read their testimonials to understand the profound impact our foundation has had on their lives. These personal accounts highlight the strength of our community and the transformative power of support, education, and compassion.

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Tremendous courage and vulnerability
Today in class, we had two guest speakers join us to give very impactful talks of death in the lives of adults. Our first speaker, Jim, gave a very emotional account of the passing of his son, Zach. In his account he made note to how he never felt ashamed to just let it out and grieve. He had emotional outbursts during his panel, however I was not bothered by this as I acknowledged that to surrender to one’s own grief and become actively engaged in it requires tremendous courage. Jim's courage is vastly different from showing a cheerful face to our friends when we are hurting, but a vulnerability that reminds us we are human. Jim reminded us that grief spans a life long cycle and that it is not up to the bereaved to reach out when they are grieving. It is up to us and those related to the bereaved to reach out and not just wait for them to depress into a worse state. This concept really resonated with me because too often you hear from friends to just hit them up whenever you need anything, and sure they have good intent behind they're message, it's a really inactive approach to helping and being present to those who are in need of support. Jim's parting message with his son's addiction drove home a really impactful message to me as a future health care provider. Addiction is a complex condition characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. Often unintentionally, many people still talk about addiction in ways that are stigmatizing—meaning they use words that can portray someone with a substance use disorder (SUD) in a shameful or negative way and may prevent them from seeking treatment.
Today in class, we had two guest speakers join us to give very impactful talks of death in the lives of adults. Our first speaker, Jim, gave a very emotional account of the passing of his son, Zach. In his account he made note to how he never felt ashamed to just let it out and grieve. He had emotional outbursts during his panel, however I was not bothered by this as I acknowledged that to surrender to one’s own grief and become actively engaged in it requires tremendous courage. Jim's courage is vastly different from showing a cheerful face to our friends when we are hurting, but a vulnerability that reminds us we are human. Jim reminded us that grief spans a life long cycle and that it is not up to the bereaved to reach out when they are grieving. It is up to us and those related to the bereaved to reach out and not just wait for them to depress into a worse state. This concept really resonated with me because too often you hear from friends to just hit them up whenever you need anything, and sure they have good intent behind they're message, it's a really inactive approach to helping and being present to those who are in need of support. Jim's parting message with his son's addiction drove home a really impactful message to me as a future health care provider. Addiction is a complex condition characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. Often unintentionally, many people still talk about addiction in ways that are stigmatizing—meaning they use words that can portray someone with a substance use disorder (SUD) in a shameful or negative way and may prevent them from seeking treatment.
Highlights the importance that we find a space to express our feelings
Personally, I learned a lot and it was beautiful being able to hear about their favorite memories. I know that from now on I will try not to say, "if you need anything let me know". Instead, I will give that person a call, or visit them once we can. Professionally, I know that being there for someone, and sitting there in silence can mean the world to them. Not everyone has a good support system. Sometimes social workers are the only ones that want to help out this individual. That's why I think it's important like you mentioned that we find a space to express our feelings. It could be a lot to handle sometimes and we need to be okay first to best help others.
Personally, I learned a lot and it was beautiful being able to hear about their favorite memories. I know that from now on I will try not to say, "if you need anything let me know". Instead, I will give that person a call, or visit them once we can. Professionally, I know that being there for someone, and sitting there in silence can mean the world to them. Not everyone has a good support system. Sometimes social workers are the only ones that want to help out this individual. That's why I think it's important like you mentioned that we find a space to express our feelings. It could be a lot to handle sometimes and we need to be okay first to best help others.
It truly is a rare opportunity to hear a story like this
I greatly appreciated listening to Mr. Horton's story and views on grief. It takes a lot of strength to overcome losing his son, and to talk about it 10 months later to a group of strangers is really insane. So, I am grateful that we were able to have this opportunity to listen to Mr. Horton, it truly is a rare opportunity to hear a story like his.
I greatly appreciated listening to Mr. Horton's story and views on grief. It takes a lot of strength to overcome losing his son, and to talk about it 10 months later to a group of strangers is really insane. So, I am grateful that we were able to have this opportunity to listen to Mr. Horton, it truly is a rare opportunity to hear a story like his.
I now view addiction from a new perspective
Today's lecture brought a guest speaker, Mr. Jim Horton. Mr. Horton showed our class pictures of Zach, from when he was a little boy to his senior photos. Considering Zach passed away in January of this year, I felt that Mr. Horton was very strong when he discussed his son. I greatly admired his ability to speak about his son's addiction and resulting death. I was really touched by Mr. Horton's testimony about his son and grief in general, and I pulled a lot of information from him. Some points or thoughts I found interesting was his discussion on addiction. Addiction is a disease, and when a young person drinks or tries a drug for the first time, it is a choice. Once addiction takes over, they no longer have a choice, and they are struggling to survive. Nothing matters, tomorrow does not matter, nor the future. The only thing that matters is the relief from the drug. This really struck me, as I never saw addiction from this perspective.
Today's lecture brought a guest speaker, Mr. Jim Horton. Mr. Horton showed our class pictures of Zach, from when he was a little boy to his senior photos. Considering Zach passed away in January of this year, I felt that Mr. Horton was very strong when he discussed his son. I greatly admired his ability to speak about his son's addiction and resulting death. I was really touched by Mr. Horton's testimony about his son and grief in general, and I pulled a lot of information from him. Some points or thoughts I found interesting was his discussion on addiction. Addiction is a disease, and when a young person drinks or tries a drug for the first time, it is a choice. Once addiction takes over, they no longer have a choice, and they are struggling to survive. Nothing matters, tomorrow does not matter, nor the future. The only thing that matters is the relief from the drug. This really struck me, as I never saw addiction from this perspective.
Very impactful testimony for our students
Good morning, Jim. Your time with our students today was very impactful. I was imaging Zach alongside you. You are such an incredible dad.
Good morning, Jim. Your time with our students today was very impactful. I was imaging Zach alongside you. You are such an incredible dad.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. I was so thankful to have this opportunity to listen to your journey today in class.
Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. I was so thankful to have this opportunity to listen to your journey today in class.
The smallest stories about grieving really stood out to me
When asked how to help a person grieve the loss of a child, Mr. Horton made a comment that I knew I would try to remember, if I ever try to help someone through grief. This point was to never tell a grieving person to "let me know if you need anything", as a grieving person should never have to "let others know when they need help." The best way to help a grieving person is to just be there for them. An example Mr. Horton used was his neighbor bringing him bagels and cream cheese the day after Zach died, and how much Mr. Horton and his wife appreciated the gesture. This little story really stood out to me, as such a small gesture could mean so much to these two grieving parents.
When asked how to help a person grieve the loss of a child, Mr. Horton made a comment that I knew I would try to remember, if I ever try to help someone through grief. This point was to never tell a grieving person to "let me know if you need anything", as a grieving person should never have to "let others know when they need help." The best way to help a grieving person is to just be there for them. An example Mr. Horton used was his neighbor bringing him bagels and cream cheese the day after Zach died, and how much Mr. Horton and his wife appreciated the gesture. This little story really stood out to me, as such a small gesture could mean so much to these two grieving parents.
Honoring him and helping other addicts like me
I have some fun memories with him just sitting behind Food 4 Less and talking after his shifts. He was such a funny kid and I’m honored to call him one of my friends. Although we weren’t extremely close, I spent a lot of time with him from July of 2019 up to January of 2020. I just miss him and am praying for you guys. I can’t imagine the pain you have had to endure. I applaud you guys in your making of a foundation to honor him and help other addicts like me.
I have some fun memories with him just sitting behind Food 4 Less and talking after his shifts. He was such a funny kid and I’m honored to call him one of my friends. Although we weren’t extremely close, I spent a lot of time with him from July of 2019 up to January of 2020. I just miss him and am praying for you guys. I can’t imagine the pain you have had to endure. I applaud you guys in your making of a foundation to honor him and help other addicts like me.
It inspired me as much as it hurt me and I want to be clean to honor him
I am doing My Time Recovery IOP and I was pretty close friends with Zach. I miss him a lot and think about him every day while I’m on my path to recovery. After his passing last year I enrolled in my first treatment center and started trying to get clean and it took a lot this year for me to stay clean. I am on my 46th day and you’re flyer in the sober living really stuck out to me today. I loved that kid. We had some good times before things took a turn for the worse. I just wanted to let you know I think it’s amazing what you’re doing and that his death isn’t in vain - it inspired me as much as it hurt me and I want to be clean to honor him and you guys.
I am doing My Time Recovery IOP and I was pretty close friends with Zach. I miss him a lot and think about him every day while I’m on my path to recovery. After his passing last year I enrolled in my first treatment center and started trying to get clean and it took a lot this year for me to stay clean. I am on my 46th day and you’re flyer in the sober living really stuck out to me today. I loved that kid. We had some good times before things took a turn for the worse. I just wanted to let you know I think it’s amazing what you’re doing and that his death isn’t in vain - it inspired me as much as it hurt me and I want to be clean to honor him and you guys.
My life is better for having known your beautiful son
Zach had the most amazing smile and his hugs were so genuine. My life is better for having known your beautiful son.
Zach had the most amazing smile and his hugs were so genuine. My life is better for having known your beautiful son.
Because of Zack, I stayed and gave recovery a chance
Zach really helped me when I was struggling in rehab. There were many moments I wanted to leave and he always gave me great advice. Because of him I stayed and gave recovery a chance. He saved me! I am sorry I could not help him but he meant something to me.
Zach really helped me when I was struggling in rehab. There were many moments I wanted to leave and he always gave me great advice. Because of him I stayed and gave recovery a chance. He saved me! I am sorry I could not help him but he meant something to me.