A Gathering of Young People in Recovery
This past weekend, from September 12th to September 14th, the residents of Gatehouse Academy were part of a special “Gathering of Young People in Recovery”. The event was a huge success, but you don’t have to take my word for it, here’s what some of the attendees had to say:
- Niki H.: “It was great to see the residents come alive with service, SOBRIETY & FUN through the conference. I was very impressed with their amount of involvement & excitement. It was a great experience.”
- Katie: “Sober people can actually be fun people & they’re still nuts!”
- Whitney M.: “This weekend was an amazing opportunity for me to see what real fun in sobriety looks like. I got to dance which was so fun, hear some really great speakers including my sponsor, and engage in some really worthwhile service work. I cannot wait to do this again next year.”
- Marc V.: “That’s what I’m talking about!!
” - Joe M.: “I never thought I would be sober packing my face full of marshmallows, ON STAGE IN FRONT OF A CROWD, and enjoying it! ” In reference to a “chubby bunny” competition, where everyone tries to say “chubby bunny” with as many marshmallow in one’s mouth as possible.
- Lizzy T.: “It was the best time I have had in my life in a very long time, a few years actually, and this time I was sober. I finally felt like my old self again, and going to the event gave me a lot of hope for my future of fun in sobriety outside of Gatehouse Academy. I can’t wait till next year!!!"
- Zach H.: “It was sweet! I thought it was really cool. It gave me hope seeing other people my age having fun in sobriety. We had great speakers and fun activities. Dancing sober was really sweet. ”
- Dan I.: “Awesomely, fantabulous, exciting & inspirational.”
“The experience of gathering with young people in recovery was really amazing and it was the first time a lot of the residents here at Gatehouse Academy have ever been to an event like it. There was a lot of laughter, dancing, and new friends and family made. Going out and experiencing a taste of the “real” world in sobriety is very different than the lives we were living when we were using.
The guest speakers that shared about their experience, strength and hope were very inspiration and filled a lot of the residents with hope for their lives. The service work was something a lot of the residents had never had experience with, but they went in with excitement and being open to learning new things.
It was a very intimate weekend spending time with other alcoholics and getting to hear their story, a lot of the residents felt more connected with the people once they opened up to each other. There were Marathon Meetings all around the clock all on different topics and it gave the residents a chance to select a meeting that they are interested in learning about. Through listening to all the feedback about the weekend up in Flagstaff it was very apparent that this trip was eventful, exciting, new and intimate.
We can’t wait until next year!”
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