LONG TIME NO SEE! We are overdue on sharing how life is going at Serenity Grove...

Early recovery can be tough! But we have had many reasons to celebrate since our last newsletter--from holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries to a first paycheck or first visit with children after a long time separated. It is important to pause and feel the "feels." As one of our residents shared recently, when you have been through trials and tribulations and come out on the other side, it can make even the smallest pleasures extra special.

Words of gratitude are shared on a daily basis at Serenity Grove. And speaking of gratitude--our annual "ask" gave us many moments of appreciating how supportive our community has always been. THANK YOU for giving!

At our recent 6 year anniversary, former and current residents, staff, board members, and friends gathered together for a shout out to all our supporters:

SEE HOW WE HAVE GROWN!

Who said sobriety can't be fun?

Halloween spirit Serenity Grove style.

Our Open House couldn't have taken place on a prettier day!

The feedback cards were positive and we were delighted to welcome many guests including Diane Pfaff, Executive Director of the 317 Board, Art Wills, Capital Project Manager for OHMHAS, and Renee Steffen, Executive Director of Sisters Health Foundation--pictured in our brand new kitchen with Women for Recovery's Executive Director Betsy Anderson.

On Valentine's Day, we delivered several boxes of cookies and cards to the emergency room staff at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital with heartfelt thanks for their work. We wanted to acknowledge the hard job ER staff can have, especially when dealing with persons struggling with Substance Use Disorder.

What can feel like a hopeless battle can have a sweet side too--RECOVERY can work when the safety net widens beyond discharge. Between our local social and mental health agencies and organizations, the 317 Board, and HOPE (Helping Overcome substance use disorder through Prevention and Education) as well as treatment facilities and transitional recovery housing, our net continues to grow stronger and wider.

Tara Gilts of Ohio Health ready to deliver our Valentine wishes to the ER staff

Our third year attending the Andrew Jackson Davison Club Black History Event at Athens Middle School to learn more about black leaders in our community.

Celebrating Juneteenth!

Soozan Palsa and Sheila Williams, board vice president and president, greet attendees. As an organization, we strive to keep our doors open to history, culture, and residents from all walks of life. Serenity Grove is a safe haven for any woman ready to embrace recovery.

An outing to OU's Tantrum Theater presentation of the musical

"9 to 5" was a fun and women-empowering evening for

residents, staff, board members, and volunteers.

Dr. Ron Davis brings acupuncture and qigong practices to Serenity Grove. Residents are also able to participate in weekly music therapy (Central Ohio Music Therapy/REID Foundation), meditative yoga and writing (Erin Pfahler/Rocky Community Improvement Fund), and meditation (Bonnie Edwards).

VOLUNTEERING in our community

This is the third year we have been the last Aid Station for the Athens Marathon

before runners enter the stadium. It was a long day for us with some of our morning

and afternoon crew pictured here. The parallels between the perseverance it

takes to run the distance and to stay sober and clean are poignant.

We all need a crew cheering us on with words of encouragement - "You got this!"

Support makes a big difference for everyone--from the very fast to those who travel much slower. The message is simple:

with help, we can achieve what once seemed impossible -- one step at a time.

We always circle up at the end of our recovery meetings. With the right foot in, our hokie pokie is the Serenity Prayer and a nod to the grace that holds us all together. This is a means of taking the "I" out of illness and replacing it with "We" for Wellness.

The Recovery Community leans into each other to stay grounded while embracing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual changes that happen

– one day at a time.