Videos
One year sober celebration | may 2024
May 2024 Joe, Matt, Tim, Mike, Jacob, and Jordan celebrated their first full year of abstinence-based sobriety. Guiding Light hosts a Year Sobriety Celebration several times a year to celebrate the hard work these men (and soon women!) have put in to life life in a different way. These men completed the four-month Guiding Light Recovery program, found work, saved money and moved to Iron House, our sober living apartments in Kentwood. Not only is it inspiring for everyone in the community to see successful stories of recovery and dramatic transformation, it is also a huge morale boost for current clients, who are just beginning the same journey these six men embarked upon over a year ago.
This is worth the three minutes and fifty-six seconds to watch!
Tim celebrates one year of sobriety with guiding light
Tim came to Guiding Light 14 months ago trying to, by his own admission, avoid going back to prison after a parole violation. Although when he arrived he had no intention of changing and was “fully intent on gaming the system,” he found the support he needed from the community to truly turn over a new leaf and make a lasting change in his life. Today he has a good job, his own apartment, and a life-long community of support that’s carried over from his time at Guiding Light. He wants the donors and supporters of Guiding Light to know that YOU made this possible.
One year sober celebration | January 2024
In January 2024, Guiding Light Recovery graduates Ben, Tom, Adam, Quinn, Ian, Tim, and Jared had a chance to formally celebrate reaching one year of sobriety. They each share a testimony of how their lives have changed over the past year, they formally nail their name onto our wall of 100 other men who have reached this same milestone, and then we eat cake! This is the reason we do what we do!
Announcement | Launching the Guiding Light Women's Recovery Program!
On February 22nd 2024, Guiding Light – a non-profit serving Grand Rapids for 95 years – got approval from the city to open housing for women that will be served by the Guiding Light Recovery Women’s Program. The program will provide women with free, long-term, in-patient substance abuse treatment and aftercare. To learn more here!
Ben celebrates one year of sobriety
Last year Guiding Light Recovery participant Ben walked through our doors seeking a way into a new life. After spending years struggling with addiction and homelessness, he finally had enough and asked for help. “Having a warm, safe bed and a door that locked,” was one of the most important gifts he received at Guiding Light. Congratulations, Ben.
A FAMILY’S TESTIMONY OF RECOVERY
This Thanksgiving we were able to welcome Bob and Emily, a father and sister of former Guiding Light Recovery client Andrew, to speak to clients, friends, and families of Guiding Light. This testimony recalls the powerful story a lost man being brought almost literally from death to life. We are happy to report to that in January 2024 Bob’s son and Emily’s brother (and godfather to her son) will be celebrating his sixth year of sobriety.
GIVING BACK FOR A THANKSGIVING MEAL
The men of the Guiding Light Recovery program were able to give back by opening the doors to the Heartside Community for a Thanksgiving meal. Over 300 men, women, and children were served. Thank you to Fifth Third Bank and our donors for making this possible.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SEVEN GRADUATES OF THE GUIDING LIGHT RECOVERY PROGRAM
“Congratulations to seven graduates of the Guiding Light Recovery program and Iron House residents for reaching one year of sobriety! Welcome to the wall gentlemen.”
WHAT IS GUIDING LIGHT?
Guiding Light rehab and recovery clients share their stories and their gratitude to the donors while sharing their stories and how they came to find Guiding Light rehab services in Grand Rapids.
Guiding Light is a 100% donor-funded non-profit that provides substance abuse treatment, accountable living, and transformation to men (and now women) and no financial cost to them. This would not be possible without the support of people like our donors, thank you!
ONE YEAR CELEBRATION | MAY 2023
In May 2023, Guiding Light Recovery alumni Dennis, Craig, Jalen, Dylan, Jeff, and Brian had a chance to formally celebrate reaching one year of sobriety. These men made the decision to stay through the four-month Guiding Light Recovery program, find work, and move to Iron House, our sober/transitional living apartments in Kentwood. Not only is it inspiring for everyone in the community to see successful stories of recovery, but it is also a huge morale boost for current clients, who are just beginning the same journey these six men embarked upon over a year ago. Watch their celebration here.
WELCOME TO IRON HOUSE
Clients of Guiding Light Recovery (a free, 4-month substance abuse treatment program) in downtown Grand Rapids, upon graduating the program are given the opportunity to move to Iron House. Iron House consists of 5 buildings of 2-bedroom apartments and houses over 40 Guiding Light men. Today, we welcome Chaz and Jerry as they make the next step in their sobriety journey.
