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| Liberty Place honors first transition group |
| By Ronica Shannon |
| Published: 04/07/2009 |
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Five women began a brand new ending Friday morning as they became the first “Pioneers” of Richmond’s Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women. A transition ceremony was conducted at the facility in their honor where a packed house listened to each woman speak of her journey through substance abuse recovery. Those transitioning into phase two of the recovery program include: Jamie Callaway, Cindy Chism, Nancy Noll, Christy Perkins and Stacy Swartz. Each have completed the 12 steps associated with the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program. Phase two is a gradual re-introduction into society that eventually will lead to finding jobs and independent housing. The ceremony was not referred to as a graduation for one reason. “You haven’t graduated anything,” said Debbie Daniel, recovery services director at Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women. “But, you have accomplished something huge.” Throughout the remainder of the ceremony, the women were referred to as the “12 Steppers.” However, she reminded the women that transitioning “... was no joke.” A ceremony was conducted where each of the five women were given a token symbolizing their accomplishment of completing phase one of the recovery process. They were given the chance to decide what they wanted the back of the token to read, and they chose: “I put my hand in yours, and I did what I couldn’t do alone.” Others also were recognized for their work that had been dedicated to making sure the Liberty Place Recovery Center was a success, including members of the administrative board, peer mentors, Liberty Place faculty and staff, as well as others who volunteered their time and efforts. Wendy, who is an active member in the phase one recovery process, spoke to the “12 Steppers,” and expressed her gratitude. “You are our pioneers,” she said. “You have paved the road for those of us behind you. The five of you have given us strength and courage to face our fears. We all want what you have and we all want to grow up and to be just like you.” Featured guest speakers included: Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson; Commissioner LaDonna H. Thompson and Gwen Holder of the Kentucky Department of Corrections; Mike Townsend of the Kentucky Housing Corporation; Vicki Jozefowicz, Kentucky River Foothills executive director; and Liberty Place Recovery Center Program Director Jeri Allison. Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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