“My life now is better than it was before coming to GLR. I have a job. I have a positive attitude. I renewed relationships with my family and with my daughter. I have a community around me that pushes me to be the best me. I am grateful for everything right now in life, big and small. I’m grateful to my family for never giving up on me, and I’m grateful for GLR for accepting me to the program.” -Damarre
On August 7th, our Guiding Light community gathered to celebrate something truly remarkable: nine men and women who reached the milestone of one full year of abstinence-based sobriety.
This moment was more than a milestone. It was a visible reminder of the life-changing transformation that happens when individuals commit themselves fully to the hard work of recovery. Each of these lives represents courage, perseverance, and faith in action. Their success is also a testament to the support and love of families, friends, and our broader Guiding Light community. In his testimony, Ayan shared:
“My favorite thing about this place is the people I’ve met and the miracles that I’ve seen firsthand.”
At Guiding Light, long-term recovery is our mission, and the outcomes speak for themselves. Nearly 80% of individuals who complete our Recovery program and move into sober living reach one year of sobriety, which is a success rate far above the national average. These results reflect not only the commitment of our participants, but also the strength of the program, the accountability of sober living, and the generosity of our donors who make this work possible.
As Andrew, one of the graduates, shared with the group:
“There’s not enough I can say about what this program does for people. The fact that it’s completely possible because of the donors of this city is remarkable.”
His words remind us that these moments of celebration are made possible through a community that believes in transformation and invests in second chances.
For many, reaching one year of sobriety represents a new way of life. As Anthony reflected:
“So what’s different in me now that I’m sober? I’m free from the bondage of addiction.”
This freedom is what we strive toward every day, helping men and women break away from destructive cycles and discover a new sense of hope, dignity, and purpose.
Recovery, however, is not only about abstaining from substances. It is also about inner healing and rebuilding life on solid foundations. Michaela, another graduate, explained it this way:
“Guiding Light is very unique and allows us to fix what’s going on inside. The focus points on that wall and the core values aren’t just a way to succeed in this program, but a way to succeed in life.”
These testimonies show the deep impact of recovery: freedom, healing, and a renewed sense of direction.
Alongside those who reached one year, we also acknowledged several individuals who have already achieved six months of sobriety. Their progress is worthy of celebration, and we look forward to the day when we can gather again to honor them for reaching their one-year milestone.
We are so proud of every graduate. May your continued journey be filled with strength, joy, and the knowledge that you are never walking alone.
“If you look up the definition of redemption, it states the action of saving or being saved from sin, error or evil. I can say with confidence today that Guiding Light has saved my life and helped me build a new one worth living.” -Michaela