Letter from the Founder
Dear Friends,
Acceptance Recovery Center’s journey began in 2016 with only 14 beds for a small group of men who were greatly motivated for change. As our organization has grown, so has our role and vision for impact in the communities we serve. Today, we are proud of our history, and the direction the future is taking our organization.
Our strong values have guided us through 2022, as well as a committed team of addiction professionals who wake up each day ready to find new ways to create change in our communities. As I write this letter, we continue to navigate a global pandemic, social inequity, significant mental health concerns, housing inequality, a hike in substance abuse and overdose, and so much more. Many organizations like our own have buckled, and indeed caved, under the strain. I believe that the past 2 years have been a defining moment for our society, and a defining moment for ARC, and our recovery community as a whole.
As we move into a new year, I would like to invite you to continue this journey with us. Without the help of our community we would not be able to do the work we do, and we are so grateful for each and every person who has poured into our organization.
May 2023 bring us closer to all we have been working for –– a community free from addiction.
Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Brandy Anderson, Founder and Executive Director
Staff Member of the Year: Tara Kinsey
Tara Kinsey is a woman in long-term recovery since November 6, 2017. It was shortly after finding recovery for herself that she recognized her passion for helping others. Tara primarily serves as a residential assistant at our women’s center. She enjoys spending time with the residents and helping them grow in their recovery. She is a CPS-MH (Certified Peer Specialist of Adult Mental Health), a WHWC (Whole Health & Wellness Coach), and recently graduated with Phi Theta Kappa honors from Athens Technical College with her Associate’s Degree in Social Work. Tara is currently enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University for her Bachelors and plans to continue her education to one day obtain her Masters in Social Work.
Tara is one of the visionaries of our Family Preservation Program. She has supported our staff in the creation and implementation of this program, and has overseen it since day 1. Over the last year she has worked to create strategic partnerships to help expand this program, and has worked closely with organizations like Children First, Inc. and the Athens Diaper Bank to support participants of this program.
Tara is truly the glue that holds #TeamARC together, and we are so grateful for you! Thank you for helping us give recovery a voice!
#giverecoveryavoice #acceptfreedom
Goodbye Letter to Addiction
Dear Addiction,
Well, what can I say to you who have been my most secret and the darkest of friends. You and I have been down this road for a very long time. My struggle with you has taken me down some really dark paths. I’ve put you ahead of myself, my beloved mother and Grandma. My niece and nephew and both of my brothers. I’ve chosen you over lifelong friends and given you control my very soul.
For so long you have had the power over my life. The mental destruction you have brought to my life has left me broken feeling like I am just a no good soulless empty piece of trash laying on the side of this life’s road. I have hurt myself physically because of the loneliness you have brought to my life.
This last time I tried my best to end the anguish I was left feeling after the meth left me in a paranoid delusion that my life was over and not worth living anymore. But, now is the time for me to sever the strings that have bound us together for so long. And, I think that I have finally found the place where I will be able to do that. I can finally see a glimmer of hope for the restoration of my soul. I have a vision for the woman that I want to be and you are not going to be a part of that journey. Where I’m at I am going to learn new ways to cope with my past. My deepest regret is that my mama and Grandma are not here to see this part of my journey. When God took their love from me you took hold of that emptiness in my heart.
From my life you must go. The dark parts of my heart I must expose to ensure yo don’ prevail. So with these last few words I will declare battle until we must fight again. I am staying in the light. The shadows of shame and guilt have been your weapons, but now they will soon lose their power over me. Now, we must part for the rest of my life,
Goodbye,
Dusty F.
Upcoming Recovery Events
On Tuesday, January 24, 2023 join the Georgia Recovery Community – health care professionals, family members and other allies for the 2023 Addiction Awareness Recovery Day for the Georgia General Assembly.
These Georgian’s represent the over 800,000 people in Recovery across Georgia.
This is our time to unite and support funding for the Georgia Recovery Community. The purpose of this day is to recognize and lift up the power of Recovery in the lives of everyday Georgians and to say thank you to for the bi-partisan support the Georgia Recovery Community receives from the General Assembly and our state Constitutional Officers.
We support initiatives that promote prevention and early intervention; increase opportunities and resources for treatment and support pro-recovery policies that increase the likelihood of sustained, long-term recovery. As Georgia’s policymakers and leaders make decisions that affect all of us, they will look around and see that RECOVERY IS HERE and RECOVERY IS REAL.
The Georgia Recovery Community supports initiatives that promote prevention and early intervention; increase opportunities and resources for treatment and support pro-recovery policies that increase the likelihood of sustained, long-term recovery.
For more information visit the Georgia Council for Recovery website at https://gasubstanceabuse.org/.
