ALU M N I N EW SLETTER
APR IL 2015 ISSU E
Alumna Cali S, (Crystal Lake) gingerly places her Jenga piece on top of the tower as Jenny S. (RHC) and John R. (Crystal Lake)
look on.
Crystal Lake Alumni & Family Game Night
The Crystal Lake alumni hosted an alumni and family game night on Saturday, April
4, 2015, at the Rosecrance Crystal Lake Office.
The game night was filled with laughter,
great food and a wee bit of tension, as
attendees participated in activities. Patti S.
shared her thoughts on the night, “I can’t
remember a time when I participated in a
game night ever. It was good clean fun
and we laughed constantly.” The Crystal
Lake alumni are hoping to host future
family events in the months to come.
Brandon P. & Jessica P. (Crystal Lake Family & Alumna) look
on as Alumna Patti S. (Crystal Lake) happily reacts to the card
she has drawn.
Celebrating Alumni Anniversaries!
LENGTH OF
CELEBRATION SOBRIETY
RECOVERY
DATE
DATE
RHC
2 years
4/3/15
4/3/13
Patti S.
Crystal Lake
10 months
4/4/15
6/4/14
Brian O.
RHC/Greendale
6 months
4/13/15
10/13/14
Kelly L.
RHC
5 months
4/8/15
11/8/15
Frank G.
RHC
4 years
4/15/15
4/15/11
Gabe T.
RGW
3 years
4/23/15
4/23/12
Cortney D.
Crystal Lake
2 years
4/24/15
4/24/13
Mark G.
RHC
4 months
4/25/15
12/25/14
Zoe C.
Marlowe
11 months
4/21/15
5/21/14
Amy K.
RGW/Marlowe
1 year
4/19/15
4/19/14
KeSean A.
RGW/Hillman
1 year, 2 months
4/26/15
2/26/14
Amber W.
Crystal Lake
1 year, 2 months
4/8/15
2/8/14
NAME
LOCATION
Andre G.
Rosecrance would love to know your recovery anniversary date so we can
celebrate your successes with your fellow alumni! Do you have other news you'd like
to share? Let us know!
Rosecrance 100‐Year Anniversary
Got Stories of Hope?
Rosecrance will celebrate its 100th
anniversary next year, and we would love
your help telling our story. Our roots trace
back to 1916, in the small community of
New Milford, just south of Rockford. Dr.
James and Fanny Rosecrance didn't have
children of their own, but they left
provisions for their home to be used as
Rosecrance Memorial Home for Children
haven for lost and neglected children.
Rosecrance has shifted its mission numerous times throughout the last century to
meet the changing needs of the community. The home in New Milford started out as
an orphanage for boys, but in later years, Rosecrance specialized in working with
troubled youth and then began treating adolescents with substance abuse disorders.
In the 1990s, we welcomed adults into our substance abuse programs. And five
years ago, we recognized the importance of treating clients with co­occurring
disorders and merged with a longtime Rockford mental health agency called Janet
Wattles Center. Rosecrance has grown to serve more than 16,000 individuals who
turn to us for help each year. Thousands of current and former clients across the
country have helped guide that care through the years. Your stories are integral in
documenting the history of Rosecrance as we approach our 100th anniversary in
2016. Contact Melissa Westphal at [email protected] or 815­387­5634 to
share your Rosecrance stories.
Name the Rosecrance Alumni Monthly Newsletter!
We are currently looking for an upbeat, recovery­focused name for the monthly
Rosecrance Alumni newsletter, and because our program is alumni driven, we are
looking to you for ideas. Some suggestions have been “How it Works” and “This
Could be You;" submit your ideas to the alumni coordinator and let’s see the creative
inspirations come to pass.
Alumnus Ozzie G. Shares His Story of Hope
The Rockford Alumni presented the first
"Alumni & Family Speaker & Movie Night"
on March 27, 2015 at the Rosecrance
Harrison Campus. The night started with
RHC Alumnus Ozzie G. sharing his
struggles with recovery after leaving
treatment. Ozzie described to a full
audience how he lost everything. "Things
went bad quickly," reported Ozzie. Finally
Several alumni and family members stayed and enjoyed the
movie "Stand By Me."
he surrendered to his Higher Power and
started really working a 12 Step program.
He encouraged family members to jump into working their own recovery program.
Ozzie shared how he now attends AA meetings regularly, works the 12 steps with his
sponsor and is vigorously active in service work. After the speaker, several alumni
and family members stayed and enjoyed the movie "Stand By Me" and feasted on
the "Popcorn Buffet." One alumnus suggested making this a monthly event ­ what are
your ideas?
Alumni Events
May 29, 2015: Rockford Aviator's Baseball Game
Call to reserve your tickets now for the “Alumni & Family Rockford
Aviator’s Baseball Night" on May 29. Reserved tickets for the event
are $10 without food or $16 with food (Tailgate Pre­game ­
Unlimited ballpark food, soda, and water for one­hour pre­game).
Your $10 ticket includes dugout seating, an Aviator hat and
fireworks after the game. Game time is 7:05, but come early to the
Aviator’s stadium to enjoy some Rosecrance Alumni camaraderie.
Aviators Stadium is located at 4503 Interstate Blvd, Loves Park, IL
61111. To reserve your seats, contact Missy Garrison, Alumni
Coordinator @ 815­387­2537 or [email protected]
Second Annual Alumni Picnic
The Annual Rosecrance Alumni Picnic will be held on June 13,
2015, in Rockford, IL, at the Alpine Park, 950 South Alpine Rd,
Rockford, IL 61108, from 11 am to 3 pm, at Shelter #1. Our alumni
picnics are family focused and full of food, fun, games, prizes and
recovery. Plans are underway for another "bags" tournament and
softball game. We encourage alumni and alumni family members to
help organize this event. If interested in participating in bags or the
softball game, contact the alumni coordinator for details. The
Rockford Alumni Advisory Committee is eager to host another great
day and hope everyone will attend.
For more information on alumni events or to get involved, contact Missy Garrison, Alumni
Coordinator @ 815­387­2537 or [email protected] . You can also find all of the alumni
events at rosecrance.org by clicking on the Alumni tab. Follow Rosecrance on Facebook and
Twitter.
Living Life on Life's Terms with 12 Steps
by Shivani K.
Step Four: Made a searching and
fearless moral inventory of ourselves
Oh April, you fourth month of the year
you! Well, the fourth month means we
have reached the fourth step. For some
reason the fourth step has a reputation of
being the big, bad, ugly, most dreaded
Shivani K.
step of them all.
Yes, it is one of the more intense steps; after all, it does state that we are to make a
searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. But none of that has to make it
scary and overwhelming. As I talked about in last month’s column on the third step,
turning our will and our lives over to the care of the God of our understanding plays a
key role in this step. In case anyone hasn’t taken note of this... the steps are in order
for a reason!
Personally, talking about the resentments I hold isn’t hard. I can easily talk about the
people who have hurt me and go on and on about what others have done wrong to
me, but when it comes to people I have hurt and the things that I have done wrong to
others... well, suddenly it's not so easy. I don’t know about you, but talking about my
self­esteem, pride, security, personal relations, ambitions, and intimate relationships
can feel like a pretty heavy task. And, it is! The fourth step isn’t meant to be fun, it is
meant to open your eyes to the reality of this disease.
But here’s the thing: It is truly only as difficult as you choose to make it, as with most
things in life. The way my first sponsor took me through the steps was immediate,
rigorous, and brutally honest. We didn’t spend much time working up to each step,
we didn’t do much dilly dallying or putzing around; she sort of just said, “Hey, here’s
the Big Book; let’s read it together and do exactly what it says. Ready, set, go!”
I was terrified of doing my fourth step because I had heard so many other people in
recovery say how awful it was for them. But I was also terrified of my sponsor (in a
good way) so I took a deep breath and picked up a pen. Some people do their fourth
step in one sitting while others do it over a length of time. I did mine in one sitting
because once I started I just wanted to put it all out there and be done. However,
how you do it isn’t nearly as important as it is to just do it.
This month I have actually been putting a lot of thought into the things being covered
in a fourth step because soon I will be doing another fourth step with my current
sponsor. As strange as it may sound to a newcomer, I cannot wait to do it! I did my
first fourth step at about three months sober. After I got everything down on paper I
thought to myself “Wow, I am so glad that’s over with; I will never have to do that
again!” I felt like there was nothing else I could ever have to do a fourth step on. Silly
me, I forgot that life happens on life’s terms! I definitely will be doing multiple fourth
steps throughout my life.
I now know why the fourth step is so “intimidating.” It’s not because it’s the worst
thing in the world, but rather because it is so, so essential to living a healthy life in
recovery. It is incredibly cleansing and leads to so much self­discovery and personal
growth. Having worked through all twelve steps I don’t necessarily incorporate the
fourth step into my daily life because, as we will discuss in October, I work a daily
tenth step which is essentially just keeping up with taking inventory of your life and
correcting yourself when necessary. I can say without a doubt that because of the
fourth step I have gained the ability to not only recognize when I am wrong, but the
ability to admit my wrongdoings and right them in any way possible. So friends, the
best suggestion I could possibly give you on working the fourth step is... just do it. It
worked for me, and it will for you too.
Rosecrance Alumni contribute to "Tales of Triumph" and more...
KeSean A. (RGW/Hillman)
In February ’15, KeSean A. celebrated his one year anniversary in recovery. Not an
easy accomplishment for an adolescent in today’s world. KeSean not only stayed
clean and sober, but he attends high school, volunteers and enjoys his spare time
persuing his passion – Rap.
Prior to coming into recovery, KeSean’s raps
were influenced by negative outside issues,
where today he says, “I rap from my heart; like
the things I struggle with or am passionate
about." Like most people in recovery,
KeSean’s hope is to touch someone who is
"I want to be that
positive rapper who
people can look up
to." ­KeSean A.
wrestling with the same issues that he has.
He discussed how TV, the Internet, and social media are filled with raps that
glamorize drugs, money, and gang bangers; his raps are intended to empower
people. KeSean considers rap composing as one of his coping skills, and at times
he feels that his Higher Power is taking over his writing.
It’s important that others see the growth and
accomplishments alumni make after leaving
treatment. KeSean has contributed several
raps for the “Alumni Tales of Triumph” digital
book. Have you accomplished something you
thought impossible to obtain prior to your
treatment stay at Rosecrance. If so feel free to
contact the alumni coordinator, Missy
Garrison, to share your story of Hope with
other alumni.
KeSean A. (RGW/Hillman)
Alumni Cafe Support Groups: Where Rosecrance alumni are welcome to attend and share what's
happening in their lives today. Support your fellow alums with your experience, strength and hope.
Find fellowship and fun from the friends who held you up when your recovery first began. Find the
alumni cafe that's convenient for you to attend and we encourage you to come a half hour early to
network with others.
ROSECRANCE NAPERVILLE ALUMNI CAFE
SUPPORT GROUP
This Alumni Cafe meets every second Monday
ROSECRANCE ROCKFORD ALUMNI CAFE
SUPPORT GROUP
This Alumni Cafe meets every second Thursday
of the month and every third Monday of the month
from 7 to 8 pm at the Community Christian Church
at the Rosecrance Harrison Campus, 3815
(Yellow Box Church), 1635 Emerson Lane,
Harrison Avenue, Rockford, IL. Alumni meet from
Naperville, IL 60540.
6 to 7 pm.
LEARN MORE »
ROSECRANCE LINCOLN PARK ALUMNI
CAFE SUPPORT GROUP
This Alumni Cafe meets every third Thursday of
LEARN MORE »
ROSECRANCE CRYSTAL LAKE ALUMNI CAFE
SUPPORT GROUP
This Alumni Cafe meets every fourth Tuesday of
the month from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the Rosecrance
the month from 7 to 8 pm at the Rosecrance
Crystal Lake office located at 422 Tracy Court,
Lincoln Park office located at 2835 N Sheffield
Crystal Lake, IL.
Avenue, Ste. 209 (ring buzzer), Chicago, IL
60657­5083.
LEARN MORE »
LEARN MORE »