St. Vincent de Paul Village - Summer 2002

1. Village Breaks Ground on Villa Harvey Mandel
   By Staff Writer
2. Security Team Saves Lives
   By Staff Writer
3. HUD Secretary Tours St. Vincent’s
   By Martha Lepore
4. Children’s Benefit Honors Bill O’Reilly and Community Leaders
   By Martha Lepore
5. The Graduates’ Challenge: Stay Clean and Sober Every Day
   By Martha Lepore

The Graduates’ Challenge: Stay Clean and Sober Every Day
By Martha Lepore

   It happens about twice a year. People who have been to hell and back come forward and receive tokens marking their triumph over chemical and alcohol dependency.
Last February, 15 men and women completed at least nine months of sorting out their addiction to drugs and alcohol and reveled in being clean and sober. They were honored as graduates of the Chemical

Dependency (CD) program at St. Vincent de Paul Village.

   Father Gil Gentile offered congratulations. “We celebrate the good work of your recovery. This ceremony is a celebration of your choosing life in its fullest – choosing family, friends, physical health, and spiritual health,” he said. “We honor your achievement.”
A licensed clinical social worker in the Village’s Counseling Services, Father Gil conferred framed certificates and Carl Wolter, clinical services program manager, handed each graduate a medallion key chain proclaiming, “You are a miracle.”

   Invited to speak, the “miracles” talked briefly to very enthusiastic family, friends, and supporters. All expressed gratitude to the counselors and St. Vincent’s. Betty, who had been resistant to the program, said, “I went in with the most hateful attitude and sat in many sessions challenging the counselors to make me get involved. Finally I did. I wouldn’t be getting my kids back if it weren’t for St. Vincent’s.”

   Mary Frances failed her first time in the program. “This is my second time here. I chose to ‘use’ again and had to leave the Village. I want to give honor and glory to my Father for giving me this facility. Praise God.”

   Terry took time out from work in order to attend the graduation. “I’m glad to celebrate this moment,” he said. “I am grateful to have a job now.”

   At the end, all stood and filled the room with a rousing “God Bless America” before adjourning to applause, hugs, and refreshments.