Dear ABC Recovery Center Community,

The Organization is working diligently to prepare for our large development/expansion project we have been highlighting in all our outgoing communications. We anticipate executing the contract for the funding any day. Once funded, we will be “full-speed-ahead” in getting our architectural plans completed. Plan timelines are estimated to take six months, then we can break ground. I cannot convey how exciting and life-changing this all is for those who care about ABC Recovery Center and our mission.

I also wanted to take a moment to congratulate Eloise Gene-Black. Many of us know Eloise. She is a board member, and also an alumni of ABC. She was awarded the Shining Star, Lifetime Achievement Award this month in Los Angeles.

Eloise probably won’t love all this attention, but she deserves the recognition. At the ceremony, what I heard over and over, was her innate ability to create relationships with others. She has a way of disarming people of their formality when she has a conversation. What may start out as a business call, turns into a genuine interaction when you call Eloise. I have appreciated Eloise personally. From the day I accepted the position of CEO here, Eloise has called me. We already had a relationship, but she called because she had a stake in this company. She cared about the direction of ABC, she loves the mission, and she has called just to make sure I am okay at different times. This whole journey has not been easy, so I wanted to shout from the rooftop how much I appreciate Eloise and many others who support ABC Recovery Center and whoever needs a helping hand. Eloise, you are truly a Shining Star! I hope you can embrace how lucky our community is to have you. What an asset you are to us!

With Sincerity,

Chris Yingling, ABC Recovery Center CEO and Eloise Gene-Black, ABC Recovery Center Board Member

One of ABC Recovery Center's Board of Directors, Eloise Gene-Black, received the Shining Star Award presented by SoCal Detox and Silver Lining Recovery. The event was held at The Friendly House in Los Angeles. Eloise was surprised by her son who flew in from Washington as well as friends and colleagues from around the southland. Congratulations, Eloise! We're so inspired by you and all you have done for so many.

From Kelly Ryan, Family Manager at ABC Recovery Center

Masks have been a part of various cultures and traditions for centuries. The Halloween tradition originated in ancient Celtic festival of Samhain where people wore costumes to ward off ghosts. Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as a time to honor all saints. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, which later became Halloween.  The day of the Dead is a holiday that is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time of celebration to honor those who have past, and to connect with family and friends.

In treating substance use disorders, we often pause to think about the ones lost to this insideous disease. An analogy could be that in active addiction, a figurative mask covers and hides the person behind their addiction. This can leave the addict/alcoholic unrecognizable to the people who love them.  Masks are built to protect the disease, and even family members from the disease, however that protection backfires and one can become alone and isolated behind the mask. Part of the job in recovery is to slowly peel back the mask layer by layer to get to the true authentic self. That true authentic self is celebrated in recovery.

The ABC Recovery Center clients will be judging a pumplin carving contest on Halloween and ABC's staff will be celebrating the day with a potluck lunch.

Each department will recieve a pumpkin to carve and the entrys will be on display for for judging after lecture group at 1:15 in the main gathering room in administration.

All staff are invited to bring their "dish of choice" for the potluck. Please bring your dish to the Law Library Conference Room at 11:30.

More details to follow in the coming days.

ABC RECOVERY CENTER TEAM - You're our Super Heroes everyday, but on Halloween, October 31st, come to work dressed as a super hero (or a villian). Let's see all those alter-egos!

September is International Recovery Month. ABC Recovery Center recognizes our important work and celebrated all those who are in recovery during this annual month-long event. We are looking forward to taking part in Riverside County's dedicated event on October 13th in conjunction with the Riverside University Health System. ABC Recovery Center will have a booth at the event, and we will be inviting our clients to take part in the event's festivities. Additionally, each of our residential treatment houses will be making their own banner and participating in the banner contest at the event.

ABC Recovery Center continues to reach out to families. Feel free to reach out to Kateria for further information at ksession@abcrecoverycenter.org. or check out our website (click through button in the top article on this page)

A film ABC shares with our clients and client families is Pleasure Unwoven. Should you wish to view this video, you can click on the link below.

Pictured from left to right: Elsa Mexia, Human Resources Manager, Joe Knyvett, Manager Facility Performance, Ally Anderson, Program Director, Lisa Wolfe, Program Manager

ABC Recovery Center partipated in the 27th Valley Wide Employment Expo at Fantasy Springs on September 28th. Called the county’s largest job fair, the event was purposed to assist those looking for a new job or new career to speak with a representative from the many industries across the Coachella Valley.

ABC Recovery Center had several representatives on hand to assist those interested in a career in recovery and to network with other corporate representives in partnership potential. Elsa Mexia shared, "It was great to be back in person after an absense because of COVID. Our booth received a good amount of traffic and we collected several applications and resumes for promising future staff."

Every month, the ABC Recovery Center team identifies our Rock Stars. This is a peer designation which makes it even more special. Rock Stars are member of our staff who are going above and beyond the expectations of their positions. They are making our mission happen and are integral to the important changes we are helping our clients make in their lives.

Monthly, staff are included in the request to nominate a Rock Star. They are asked what inspired them to nominate their peer and are provided six criteria to select from that apply to their nominee. The survey is tabulated, and the winners are announced by Human Resources.

Our August Rock Star is Freda Addeo.

Freda Addeo - Primary Counselor and Ally Anderson - Director, Programs

Freda Addeo is one of ABC's Primary Therapists. She has been at ABC Recovery Center for five years working in both Outpatient and Residential programs. Currently, Freda’s specialty is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, as she conducts these groups twice a week.

Ally Anderson, Director of Programs shares, "Freda is a wealth of knowledge for her team, and is often supporting our staff with ideas and problem solving with dynamic solutions. Freda’s gentle, yet stern personality helps her clients gain the structure they need while they are in the residential program, and offers a path to success for when they complete their program and re-enter the world with a strong foundation. Freda is loved by staff and clients alike, and we are so glad she is on our team."

Brock Jenikovsky - Director, Operations and Mathew Grijalva - Janitorial and Maintanence

Mathew Grijalva is our September Rock Star. He was praised by his colleagues who shared, "He is always ready to tackle anything and is always in a good mood.” “Consistent work ethic and willingness to step up where needed.” “I have witnessed Matthew’s consistently high work-ethic and willingness to help where needed.”

I relative new-comer to ABC, Mat has been with ABC since June of this year. He’s actually the first to have the hybrid title of “Janitorial Maintenance Worker”. It’s quite fitting as anyone who has gotten to work alongside Mat knows that only one title couldn’t fully capture the work he does. What makes him a Rock Star is the outstanding character that he exhibits while performing his job duties. He is consistently willing to help in any area he can and does so with a positive attitude. His work ethic improves both of the teams that he is a part of.

Do you shop on Amazon? Of course you do! Everyone does. The next time you need to make an Amazon purchase, Amazon will donate a percentage of your sale directly to ABC Recovery Center. The only thing you need to do is identify ABC Recovery Center as your "charity of choice" by using our giving page when making your purchase. No extra cost to you, and plenty of benefits for those we care for.

On Friday September 23rd. ABC Recovery Center celebrated our team with a special dinner at the Tack Room Tavern at the Polo Grounds in Indio. All staff were invited and those who had to work that evening were brought the same meal that was enjoyed at the restaurant. Staff were joined by the Chairman of the Board, David Grey, and several other board members. Members of our team are pictured below.

Thanks everyone, for attending the dinner and for all you do for ABC Recovery Center!

Pictured: Andrea Courreges, Alumni Association President and Ashely Hinesley, Vice President.

ABC Alumni Committee Members not pictured: Brenda Hughes, Eloise Black and Angel Munoz.

A big "Thank you" to the owners of La Quinta's Nothing Bundt Cakes, Ellie Koch Tropple and Jeff Tropple. Their thoughtful generosity in providing cakes for us each month helps us recognize and celebrate those in our organization who have been given another year, and a second chance at life.

Thanks so much Ellie and Jeff and thanks to your amazing team.

Pictured Left to Right: Marci Berry - Primary Counselor, Ramon Aguiar - Accountant, and Kris Corney - Primary Counselor

Pictured Left to Right: David Proctor - Client Care Coordinator, Magdalena Henley - Client Care Coordinator, Ally Anderson - Program Director, Sarah Lawson - Primary Counselor, and Jasmine Burden - Outpatient Counselor

As one of Southern California's leading destinations for addiction treatment, ABC Recovery Center promotes wellness and healing for all stages of recovery. When we first meet the clients who arrive at our door, we don’t know what the future will hold. We welcome them without judgment and provide an individually tailored holistic and multi-disciplinary team approach that has successfully helped many others overcome their battle with substance use disorders. ABC is Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services, as well as being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

ABC Recovery Center offers a full continuum of services for those who have made the decision to make significant changes to their lives. We offer the following programs: Detoxification (Detox), Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Program, Outpatient Program, and our Transitional and Sober Living Programs. We also provide a family program, perinatal services, and specialized groups for LGBTQIA constituents.

We are helping provide a future for over a thousand people a year, and that doesn’t include the number of people whose futures will be impacted when our clients are returned to them, sober and safe. We are here to provide them every opportunity to have the future they want.