Graduating The HERO House program is not easy. We tell our residents that all the time. At some programs you're successful if you pass your drug tests and keep your job. Not so with us. We challenge our residents to be successful with their recovery, their academics and with life skills. Sometimes one area will flourish, while we need to remind them to work on their other areas. By the time our residents graduate they have learned to balance all three areas. The current GPA for our soon to be alumni is 3.45!

In the five year history of The HERO House, 19 people have accomplished the goal of graduation. On August 12 and 13, that number will increase by 25%. Five new alumni residents of The HERO House will be added during our next family weekend!

One of the most beautiful parts of this program is watching our young men and women go from a place of low self-esteem and little confidence and then watch them grow into the amazing men and women they truly are. All five of our graduates are incredible people who should be very proud of the work they have done and what they have accomplished since walking through our door for the first time.

Alex M. calls NYC home. He is currently a sophomore at Kennesaw State University majoring in International Business and minoring in Economics! Alex arrived here in late summer 2010 from Four Circles Recovery Center and has steadily made progress with his recovery. He has worked all 12-Steps under the sponsorship of Ian T. Alex shares that his sponsor reminds him to "forget the past, forget the future, and live for the present. It is not surprising that this native of the big apple shares that he is passionate about the NY Giants, NY Yankees, working out and recovery!

Continuing his studies at KSU, Alex has opted to become a member of the HERO House Long Term Success Program. This program provides a supportive living environment for students engaged in recovery with the residents taking more responsibility for their journey. Congratulations Alex!

Just completing her first semester of college, ever, Erica B. graduates from our program after spending 12 months at The HERO House. She is a native of metro Atlanta and is pursuing a degree at Kennesaw State University. Erica began her recovery journey during her Senior year of high school at Four Circles Recovery Center and then spent seven months at Life Designs Ranch on the West Coast before joining our community. Her passions include lacrosse, working out, running, Frisbee, music and concerts. Of Erica's many words of advice from her sponsor, Laura, her favorite is to pray for a warm fuzzy when you are feeling down. Congratulations Erica!

Soon heading back to the University of Miami, this native of Plano (a suburb of Dallas), Texas has really pushed the timetable in completing all the requirements for graduation. In a mere 7 months, Ian W. has completed all the necessary work to join the ranks of HERO House Alumni. When he arrives back in Florida, Ian will finish his Senior year as student of International Finance and Marketing. Alum of Four Circles Recovery Center, he began working the 12-Steps under Mike M. Ian's transformation was quick under the guidance provided by his sponsor and our staff along with his own hard work. Someone who loves independent music and travel, this Miami student hopes to return to being a DJ at his university's radio station this Fall. Congratulations Ian!

Kaitlynn B arrived at the HERO House last August from Pine Grove Women's Center. At the time, she thought a traditional college route was the path she needed to take. Fortunately, Kaitlynn discovered that her true passion lies with Cosmetology and is studying at Aveda Beauty School. From Ft. Smith, Arkansas, this young woman is sassy, fun and focused upon her recovery. Although her sponsor, Jaqueline S., often reminds her the power of surrender, Kaitlynn likes to focus on having fun in recovery. Some of her many joys include Hula Hoops, comic books and collaging. Congratulations, Kaitlynn!

A native son of Georgia, Preston L. calls Suwanee, Georgia home. Finishing up his first-year experience at Kennesaw State University, he is pursuing a degree in Business Management. Preston began his recovery work at Cumberland Heights before joining the HERO House community last November. Motivated and hard-working are two adjectives used to describe Preston. He works closely with his sponsor, Ian T, who reminds him in his stuggles to ask "what was your part in the situation." Preston likes to take advantage of the Georgia habitat, where you can find him engaged in fishing, golfing, basketball, baseball and football.

Seeking out new opportunities, Preston is actually staying at The HERO House as a program assistant. In this new role, he will be seeking ways to bring more service opportunities for our residents by implementing Hospital and Institution visits for our men and women. Preston will continue his studies as KSU as well. Congratulations, Preston!

We wish these men and women, along with their families, a happy, successful and serene future!

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Get your daily dose of HERO House, CA news by following us on Twitter! We have recently updated our Twitter page, HERO House @CollegeRecovery. We look forward to following parents, alumni and friends there!

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A calm mind fosters clear seeing, which is another way of saying that if we practice mindfulness, we will have less self-deception. We learn to be honest, and delusions fall away. When we sit in meditation, we observe our mind, watching the thoughts pass through, all the mental traffic honking, swerving, and cutting in. We practice holding "bare attention" toward the thoughts and feelings that arise, accepting them with kindness and non-judgment.

 --from Mindfulness and the 12 Steps