Double Service Spotlight – September 2017

We have not one, but two, ARC team members to spotlight this month!

Executive Director/Founder, Brandy W. Anderson, was accepted to the University of North Georgia Human Services Master’s Program. She began classes in August. We are so proud of her and know that the staff and residents will benefit from this next important step of her journey. Brandy will continue in her role as Executive Program Director of ARC.

Kristina McFadden has been promoted to Assistant Program Director and will be taking on a bigger role in the daily on-site operations at ARC. Her knowledge, skill, and dedication to ARC will allow for a smooth transition. We are excited and confident about her new leadership role.

Congratulations to both Brandy and Kristina!

Anonymous Superstar

Our Anonymous Superstar this month came to ARC for the second time a year ago.When he left he received more legal charges and discovered nothing had changed “out there.” He reentered ARC and was determined to make it work this time. And that is just what he’s done! He is once again an active, involved father for his children, a strong leader at ARC, and a productive member of society. He just celebrated one year clean and sober and he has started a men’s AA meeting at his home group. He’s a superstar in every way and we at ARC couldn’t be more proud of him!

Soon after our residents get here, before they can advance from Stabilization to Phase One, they write a Goodbye Letter to their addiction. Each month we will share one of those letters with you. Prepare yourself to be deeply moved.

TO MY ADDICTION

It time to say goodbye. I have held onto you for 15 years. I thought I was happy with you but now that I am clean I know better. When you were with me I lost everything, time and time again. You made me think I was a good person, a good father, but with you in my life I wasn’t. I didn’t spend time with my kids like I should have. I always stayed locked up in my room with you, away from everyone. I lost my house, my car, my kids, and my freedom. I went to jail ’cause of you. I wasn’t thinking right ’cause of you. I always hung around the wrong people, done the wrong things. But now I’m really happy since you’re gone. I’m thinking right. I’m a real father, son, brother, and friend. I’m staying out of jail. I’m working every day. I’m actually spending time with my kids. I’m helping people more now than I ever have. I’m becoming the person I used to be before you took over my life, but I’m taking my life back. I’m doing the right thing now and will keep doing the right thing. I am done with you and I will not lose another thing because of you. SO GOODBYE ADDICTION. YOU WILL NOT RUIN MY LIFE ANYMORE.