Celebrate recovery helps people overcome addictive behaviors
By:
Monika Spaulding, Digital Editor
For the past year and a half a group of people have been working together to help those in addiction recovery continue to meet their goals.
Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based program that helps people with hurts, habits and hang ups.
Keith Shelby, family minster at Southern Hills Church, is involved with the program and said it was started in Washington County about a year and a half ago due to the county residents’ growing issues with addiction.
“We want to help people get clean and have a new lease on life,” he said.
Shelby said the program goes beyond substance abuse and also helps with grief and codependency issues.
He said the program utilizes the 12 step program with the help of Maria Burkes, a licensed mental health counselor. The 12 steps class meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday night at Southern Hills Church. Those who complete the class are then encouraged to become support group leaders for Celebrate Recovery.
Destinee Soliday is one of the people who have benefited from the program. Her issue was not with substance abuse, but with negative thinking that lead to depression and anxiety. Participating in the 12-step program and talking in the women’s group helped her overcome her issues.
“This program brought God back into my life big time,” she said. “It is a big part of my life now.”
Soliday, who is 22 years old, said her mom had been participating in the program and she decided to go with her.
“I didn’t believe in God when I first started,” she said. “After the 12-step program, He is back in my life.”
When asked what advice she would give people who were hesitant about attending the program, Soliday said, “Give it a shot. I wasn’t about it at first and thought I’d be quiet the whole time, but now I talk. It takes time, just don’t give up.”
Micah Perry has been a part of the program since it began. He said he was seeing Burkes for some counseling and she invited he and his wife to help them start a leadership program for recovery. He now serves as one of the group leaders.
“This program has allowed me to be in recovery and it has improved my marriage and work life,” he said. “It has given me a better, more positive outlook.”
Perry said the program has opened doors for friendships he wouldn’t have had otherwise and he encourages anyone who needs help and encouragement to give them a try.
“If you’re looking for a change and don’t know what direction to go, come to us and let us help you find your direction,” he said.
Celebrate Recovery was founded by Saddleback Church in California. The program combines the 12 step program, used in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, and scripture.
The goal of the program is to address the root causes of addictive behavior, said Shelby.
“We want to provide support to people struggling with life issues,” he added. “We also provide support and assistance to family members.”
Although the program is held at Southern Hills, he said it is open to everyone in the community.
They meet every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and share a meal for 30 minutes. Then, they have a 30 minute devotional. Following that, they split into separate groups for support group time.
While the program has grown in its year and a half through word of mouth, they are ready to reach out to more people in the community.
Right now, an average of 15 people come every Tuesday and it is not always the same group.
The program is free and includes curriculum, counseling and a meal every week.
When asked what the most rewarding part of the program is for Shelby, he said, “Seeing people grow from the time they first enter the program.”
He added that helping with the support group, he sees the benefits of participants sharing struggles and knowing they aren’t alone.
“They aren’t judged here,” he said. “They are supported.”
Shelby said they would love to see more people get involved.
Anyone interested in helping to volunteer may call the church and ask for Shelby or SHC minister Steve Corp at 812.883.1637.
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