A Letter from the CEO
Dear Friends and Recovery Family,
As we approach Trans Day of Visibility on March 31st, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate our trans and gender non-conforming residents and staff members. Your courage and resilience in the face of discrimination and marginalization inspire us every day, and we are honored to provide a safe and affirming space for you to heal and thrive.
As the founder and CEO of Acceptance Recovery Center, I am proud to lead an organization that is committed to providing trauma-informed and gender-expansive recovery support services to those seeking recovery from their substance misuse challenges. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and valued for who they are, regardless of their gender identity or expression.
We are one of only two recovery centers in the state that offer affirming and trauma-informed gender-expansive recovery support services, and we are honored to be part of a growing movement to create more inclusive spaces for trans and gender-diverse individuals in recovery. As a queer-led organization with a diverse staff and resident community, we understand the unique challenges that our trans and gender non-conforming residents face, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Recovery is a journey, and it takes tremendous courage and strength to face the challenges that come with addiction. As we celebrate Trans Day of Visibility, we want to recognize the incredible resilience and determination of our trans and gender-diverse residents who are navigating recovery while also navigating the complexities of gender identity and expression.
To our trans and gender non-conforming residents and staff members: we see you, we hear you, and we honor your identities and experiences. You are an important part of our community, and we are grateful for the contributions you make to our collective healing and growth. Thank you for choosing Acceptance Recovery Center as your home on this journey.
Acceptance Recovery Center will continue to remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and affirming space for you to heal and thrive, and we will continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of all trans and gender-diverse individuals in our community and beyond.
With love and gratitude,
Brandy Anderson, Founder and CEO
Goodbye Letter to Addiction
Dear Addiction,
I’m here to formally inform you of your dismissal. We have been battling each other since I was 15 years old. I started off young and crazy stealing anything I could to consume. Not only did I start breaking the law, I developed a bad reputation. I stole, fight, drive without a license, I would get drunk in public. I would do anything with my Homies to get messed up. I had to isolate myself at school in the bathroom, staying high at 14 years old, which led to me being a complete loser in my personal opinion. as I got older, I became a dealer, rolling pennies for dime bags. When I turned 18 my drug use got heavier. I was introduced to Krystal as well as cocaine. My active addiction went from the late 1990s until it left me incarcerated for over 5400 days of my life. My addiction caused me separation from my family, false, ego, and extreme laziness. Addiction made everything I loved the most disappear right in front of my face. So from here on out, you are excused and vanished from me and everything around me. I hold myself responsible for holding on to you as well as letting you go!
– Jeff S.
