Don't Quit Before the Miracle Happens

February 2026/Issue 62

The TriCircle Connection

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Quote of the Month

by Napoleon Hill

"Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure."

From the Desk of

Ana Gopoian

Don't Quit Before the Miracle Happens...

I’ve heard this quote in many different kinds of meetings, and I’ve also seen it written as “Don’t give up before the miracle happens” in Fannie Flagg’s book, I Still Dream About You. Another version goes like this: if you get knocked down a dozen times, you get up thirteen.

That idea has saved my life more than once.

Over the years, I’ve had to reframe it, reshape it, and use it to push myself far beyond what most people—including professionals—thought I was capable of. Early in my treatment, I was sitting in a group with seven other women when a clinician told us that only 10% of us were going to make it. Then she pointed directly at me and said I wasn’t one of them.

A few choice words—drawn from my very limited vocabulary at the time—came flying out of my mouth, and in that moment I decided: Game on. Watch me.

Honestly, I used spite as my superpower. I was determined to prove her wrong. My first year in recovery wasn’t graceful—it was fueled by anger, sheer abstinence, and acting out in other ways—but no matter what, I did not pick up a substance, including alcohol. Read more...

Together WE are Stronger!

February's Spotlight

Farrah McCullough

Family Recovery Coach

Supporting Families. Building Hope. Strengthening Recovery.

Farrah McCullough knows firsthand that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation—it ripples through families, relationships, and entire communities. As a Family Recovery Coach with the McCall Behavioral Health Network, Farrah dedicates her work to supporting families whose lives have been impacted by substance use, including those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Farrah discovered TriCircle while expanding her toolkit of resources for families she serves. “As human service providers, we’re only as good as the resources we can connect our clients to,” she shares. Finding TriCircle’s family support groups was a meaningful addition—offering spaces where families can feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Farrah’s work is part of CLEAR (Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery), a statewide pilot program that brings together law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and social service agencies. CLEAR offers a proactive, non-punitive, relationship-centered approach to substance use—focusing on compassion, connection, and access to care.

Through CLEAR, Farrah helps facilitate Recovering Together, a weekly support group for family members. The group provides education, connection, and practical tools to help families strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and care for themselves. Meetings are offered in person in Torrington and virtually via Zoom, making support accessible no matter where someone is. For more information about Recovering Together, email ewa.szura@mccallbhn.org.

Farrah’s passion for this work is deeply personal. Her lived experience includes close family members who are in long-term recovery, as well as loved ones who continue to struggle with active substance use. These experiences have shaped her understanding of the recovery journey and strengthened her commitment to helping families navigate hope, healing, and resilience.

One of the most striking realities Farrah learned along the way? Only about 2% of family members ever receive support. Raising that number is a driving force behind her work. (Read more...)

Click on the flyer above to see how TriCircle and McCall Behavioral Health Network are collaborating to host the next Memorial Quilt Squarer Project in memory of Sean-Michael Shepherd!

What's Happening?

Check out our February calendar below. So many meaningful ways to get involved and groups for support, Together WE are Stronger!!

Drop In Setback Middlefield at 1741 Pub & Grill - First, Second and Third Wednesday of each month, February 4, 11, 18 at 72 Lyman Road, Middlefield. Registration opens at 5:00 pm, first game 6:00 pm. (click here)

TriCircle's Hope & Support Groups - Thursdays, February 5,12, 19, 26 and every Thursday in 3 separate rotating locations Wallingford, Coventry, Somers throughout the year. Every group, no matter where or when, has a virtual option (click here for full schedule with times and locations)

TriCircle's Hope After Loss Support Groups - Mondays, February 2, 9, 16, 23 and every Monday in 3 separate rotating locations Wallingford, Coventry, Rocky Hill throughout the year. Every group, no matter where or when, has a virtual option (click here for full schedule with times and locations)

SMART Group Wallingford - Every Tuesday February 3, 10, 17, 24, 7-8:30 pm at Master's Manna 428 S Cherry St Wallingford.

SMART Group Family & Friends Wallingford - Every Tuesday February 3, 10. 17, 24 - 6-7:30pm 116 S Main St (Rear entrance)

SMART APG Vision Board & Meditation - February 15, 4:30pm-7:30pm Wild Alchemy 600 North Colony Road Wallingford - Alchemizing the Year of the Horse Registration required: data@tricircle.org. See below or Click here for flyer

TriCircle Memorial Quilt Square Project - Saturday, March 7, 10:00 am-3:00 pm, McCall Whole Health Center, 969 West Main Street, Waterbury, 3rd Floor, Unit 3A Conference Room, hosted by McCall Behavioral Health Network

Slider Grill & Pub Event TBD, Wednesday, April 22

TriCircle 8th Annual Gala Brunch & 10yr Annv - Sunday, July 26, 10am-1pm, The Farms Country Club, Sponsorship details will be out soon

Sliders Grill & Pub Event TBD, Wednesday, July 22

4th Annual Self Care Retreats TBD, Ender's Island, Mystic, CT

Raianna's 5th Annual Memorial Poker Run, Saturday, September 26

4th Annual Dinner and a Show - Friday, October 30, Mohegan Sun Earth Skybox, RUSH, 7:30 pm, Tickets $225 per person. Sponsorship details will be out soon