Recovery Hero: Darin Valdez
I am most proud of a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization I started this year called Colorado Artists in Recovery (coloradoartistsinrecovery.org). We host art/music/meditation workshops for people in recovery from substance abuse. It helps them discover their creative spirit and provides an alternative pathway to recovery. My low point before recovery was homelessness due to my meth …
Recovery Hero: Wesly Dickson
My name is Wesly Dickson and I have been in recovery for 5 months. Since being in recovery, I have started a cleaning business, opened the only Gay meeting in Colorado Springs, and started school as well. When I was at my lowest I didn’t know who I was or if I wanted to go …
Recovery Hero: Tammy
My name is Tammy Lee! I have been in recovery 4 months! During this time I am very proud that I have been able to regain my mental, physical, and spiritual health as well as have broken generational curses clearing the path for a bright future! At my lowest point I was suffering from severe …
Recovery Hero: Jessica Townley
My name is Jessica Townley and I have been in recovery since October 31st, 2009. Recovery has brought so many blessings to my life. I am most proud of my ability to be more present; however, this is not something I was able to accomplish alone. Growing in understanding and effectiveness of the Spirit does …
Dominic Sandoval, Recovery Hero of the Week!!
My name is Dominic Sandoval and I’ve been sober since July 25, 2020. My greatest accomplishment is being absolutely content with cutting ties with my toxic past and creating a new life for myself. Before I made the choice to stop drinking, I was constantly putting myself in dangerous circumstances, pushing loved ones away, and …
Recovery Hero Natasha Hill!!!
Hi, my name is Natasha Hill. I have been in recovery since November 27, 2019, a total of 16 months and 5 days. I have accomplished so much, including being a part of my kids life, becoming certified as a recovery coach, and being a part of opening a women and children’s sober living. By …
Recovery Hero Manny Mendez!!
My name is Manny Mendez and I have been in recovery for 9 years and 2 months! I came from a hopeless state of mind and now have produced 6 documentaries on recovery and addiction, wrote my own book, and became a published author. These are my greatest accomplishments! A low point for me was …
Recovery Hero: Vanessa
My name is Vanessa and I have been in recovery since Feb 11, 2017. I am most proud of becoming the mother my two daughters deserve. In addiction, I only cared about getting high. Now that I am clean, I can be an attentive and loving mother, sister, daughter and friend. Nothing can undo the …
Recovery Hero: Maggie Williams
My name is Maggie Williams and I have been in recovery 6 years! In those 6 years I have regained the love and trust of my family that I took for granted and didn’t realize was so very important. I have taken on tasks, such as renovating my home, things I never would have done …
Recovery Hero: Amber Gobell
My name is Amber Gobell and I have been clean for 4 years and 8 months. My clean date is 7/20/16. I am most proud that I returned to school to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology. I am currently on the President’s List for receiving a 4.0 GPA. I am also proud that …
Recovery Hero: Rob Decker
Hi, my name is Rob Decker. I just got 8 years of sobriety as of January 8th! I’m so proud of all I have accomplished. I learned how to walk again, got off drugs and alcohol, got married and had beautiful babies and reconnected with my oldest son, became a fitness trainer and recovery coach, …
Recovery Hero: Chris
My name is Chris, I’m 31yrs old. I was born in Chicago, IL. I’ve been in recovery since 2017. The one thing that I’m most proud of accomplishing within this time has been my acceptance. Having confidence in myself and my recovery actually has allowed me to talk openly and proudly about my personal journey. …
Recovery Hero: Carol Romero
My name is Carol Romero and I’m in my third year of recovery. I’m most astonished about what I’ve learned about myself. In recovery I’ve found the wonder of my true self enlivened by God’s light. I’ve come to find my problems with alcohol don’t define who I am in weakness, yet instead give me …
Recovery Hero: Patrick Gates
Hi, my name is Patrick Gates and I have been in recovery for three years. I am most proud of getting my family back and being able to live a normal life. A low point in my life was having no support around me and having no stable place to live. I could never hold …
Recovery Hero: Barbara
Hi, my name is Barbara . I am a person in long term recovery. I have been sober and drug free for 33 years. I have written three plays, that have been produced and acted in more than 50 theatrical productions. I am a yoga instructor and was a commercial salmon fisher for 31 years …
Recovery Hero: Jerrid
He is our Recovery Hero!!! My name is Jerrid and I have been building a pathway to freedom with the help of my friends at Springs Recovery Connection. I have been clean for six months, two of which, I have been a resident at ComCor. I am employed, and have the opportunity to work on …
Recovery Hero: Tommy Graves
Recovery Hero of the week! Hello, my name is Tommy Graves and I just celebrated 6 months clean and sober! I have been in and out of recovery for 20 years, but I’m doing it 100% this time! I have honestly worked a set of 12 steps, and am very active in meetings. I am …
Recovery Hero: Susan Petrucci!!!!!
Hello my name is Susan Petrucci and I have been in recovery for 14 months. Today the thing I am most proud of is loving who I am and having faith in who I am becoming. I don’t always take the right path or make the right choices, but I am able to forgive myself, …
Recovery Hero: Zack B
Recovery Hero of the Week!!! My name is Zack B and I have been in recovery for 9 months. My biggest accomplishment in this time, is maintaining sobriety and getting a job in the recovery field. (even if it’s temporary) This is something I never thought would be possible. I have also reconnected with my …
Recovery Hero: Bobby Galindo
Recovery Hero of the Week, Bobby Galindo! Hello my name is Patrick “Bobby” Galindo and I have been in recovery for one year. Something that I am most proud of is the journey of discovering myself and my cause. A low moment during my substance abuse came when I was crying on my knees with …
Recovery Hero: Charlotte Nelson
My name is Charlotte Nelson and I have been in recovery for a little over two years. Since taking the leap of faith into recovery, I have been able to learn and grow as a person. I graduated college, but most importantly I regained my confidence, love, and sense of purpose in life. I feel …
Recovery Hero: Mateo Littlebird
Recovery Hero of the Week! Hello my name is Mateo Littlebird, and I have been in recovery for 6 years. During the last 6 years, the most meaningful accomplishment was finding my wife and starting my family. This was a long time dream of mine and I manifested it through focusing my energy on what …
Recovery Hero, Justin MIller
My name is Justin and I have been in recovery for almost 11 months. Since I made the decision to be clean I have successfully closed a DHS case, have been given full custody of my baby girl, and have rebuilt my relationship with my family. At the lowest point of my addiction I had …
Recovery Hero: Rebecca Cota
Hello my name is Rebecca Cota and I have been in recovery for 32 years. The accomplishment I am most proud of in this time was moving out of my dysfunctional comfort zone and gaining confidence in who I am. Being a good mom also makes be proud. I went to South America early in …
Recovery Hero: Angie Neeley
My name is Angie Neeley and I am a woman in long term recovery. For me, that means several things: I haven’t had any alcohol or drugs that weren’t prescribed to me since October 5, 1988 and I have an opportunity to give back that which has been freely given to me. My proudest accomplishment …
Shauna Stevenson
My name is Shauna Stevenson and I came into recovery on February 17th, 2017. Since then, I am most proud of regaining motherhood, becoming a certified recovery coach and working with SRC by virtue of the Workforce Program. A low point for me was when I was on the run from the Drug Court Program. …
Recovery Hero: Laura
My name is Laura, and I restarted my recovery journey on November 21, 2016. I have been clean and sober for nearly 4 years- which is still mind boggling to me when I think about it. What have you accomplished that you’re most proud of during this time? I don’t think I could narrow down …
Recovery Hero Joel McCelland
My name is Joel McClelland, I’ve been in recovery for 65 days. During this time, my proudest accomplishment is gaining custody of my amazing newborn son. My lowest point before recovery had to be about a year ago when I was living on the streets getting high and drunk everyday. This involved stealing from any …
Recovery Hero, Sarah Powell
My name is Sara Powell, and I started recovery December 11, 2015. I have been clean off meth since August 30, 2017 and clean off alcohol since October 30, 2018. My most proud achievement since I’ve been in recovery in is that I’ve built a wonderful relationship with my children. Also, because I’m in recovery …
Recovery Hero, Jeremy Box
My name is Jeremy Box and I have been sober and in recovery for exactly 1 year and 5 days. My physical sobriety is what I am most proud of because it has helped me to become more responsible, and a better father. Some low points for me during my use were receiving multiple DUI’s …
Recovery Hero, Tim Brozo
My name is Timothy Brozo and I have been travelling this road of recovery for years now, and it has come with with many ups and downs. It has taken me many years of work to get the seven months of sobriety that I have now. Finally, people trust me. I have also been able …
Recovery Hero: Tom Geoghan
Hello, my name is Tom Geoghan and I’ve been in recovery for four and a half years. The accomplishment I am most proud of is being present in my family’s life today. This also involves being an older brother and a better son. A low point for me during my use was feeling like my …
Recovery Hero: Liz
My name is Liz and I have been in Recovery for almost 7 years! In this time I have been blessed with 2 beautiful children, was able to seal some of my record, obtained my GED and began my career in the medical field. The greatest accomplishment out of it all though, was learning how …
Recovery Hero: Jennifer Candelaria
My name is Jennifer Candelaria and I have been in recovery for 9 months; I am most proud of my determination to get my kids back home to me in such a short amount of time. Not only that but actually completing and benefiting from a program that I have known to be overwhelming and …
Recovery Hero: Dan Hugill
My name is Dan Hugill and I have been in recovery for 6 years. Since July 23rd 2014. During that time my accomplishments include working for the Phoenix and through them becoming a state certified peer specialist. I received the crossfit level 2 certification, the olympic lifting level 1, NASM youth exercise specialist certification and …
Recovery Hero: Betty Toppin
My name is Betty Toppin and I have been in recovery since March 27th, 2019. Prior to recovery, I was in active addiction for most of my life. I finally hit my bottom in 2017 when I became homeless and lost custody of my daughter. I was basically wandering aimlessly for a year and a …
Recovery Hero: Gabriel Gonzales
My name is Gabriel Gonzales, aka Colorado Cadi. I have been in recovery since June 19th, 2017. Since being in recovery I have gotten married to an amazing woman, I’ve been the best father figure I can possibly be for my step kids, and I’ve gone professional in electric skateboard racing. One of my lowest …
Recovery Hero: Bonnie Scott
Hello, my name is Bonnie Scott and I have been clean and sober for 1 year and 2 months. Since being in recovery, I have gotten my life back. This has included receiving full custody of my daughter back in March of this year. My lowest point in addiction was when I heard my dealer …
Recovery Hero: Jason Hotchkin
Our first Recovery Hero of the month, Jason Hotchkin! Jason is committed to recovery and has a passion for giving back and helping others, here is his story: I am Jason Hotchkin, I have been in recovery for over 38 months. For almost two years I have wanted to join the addiction career field and …
Recovery Hero: Ryan Presley
Ryan Presley holds the honor of being our recovery hero of the week, here is his story! My Name is Ryan Presley and I have been in recovery continuously since September 15th of 2013. I started drinking when I was 18 and immediately had a problem that I was unable to get on top of …
Recovery Hero: Laurel Justice
My name is Laurel Justice, I have been in recovery for 19 years. Before I came to recovery, I was pretty much mothering out of the “family disease”, without any consciousness about that. I am grateful for a series of painful, unwelcome, and transformational experiences that woke me up to the possibility of an entirely …
Recovery Hero: Kristen Harper
My name is Kristen Harper and I have been in recovery for eight years. I’m most proud of being able to arrest the cycle of addiction in my family. It was difficult to watch my mother leave when I was only nine years old and then have her fate met from the disease of alcoholism …
Recovery Hero: Cathy Plush
My name is Cathy Plush and I have been in recovery for the past 29 years. What I am most proud of is the blessing of being a sober mom and understanding how recovery continues to have such a profound and positive effect on my family. Everything in my life today, my husband, my children, …
Recovery Hero: Ghislaine Henley
My name is Ghislaine Henley. I have been in recovery since August of 1986. I have been privileged to be part of the raising of two drug addicts/alcoholics who have become fully functioning and contributing members of society. My lowest point was Christmas 2010 when I had to kick both sons out of the house …
Recovery Hero: Elise Bergsten
My name is Elise Bergsten and I am blessed to be in recovery since August 13, 1984. I was 23 when I sobered up. I went through an in-patient treatment program and have actively participated in my recovery since then. In addition to staying in recovery, raising my daughter has perhaps been my biggest accomplishment, …
Recovery Hero: Rebecca Berg
“This is not how my family’s story will end.” My name is Rebecca Berg and I have been in recovery for 26 years. The most important day in my life is October 22, 1993. To me, it’s the day my life started. I was 22 years old and waking up. I am most proud of …
Recovery Hero: Michelle Paris Gatson
My name is Michelle and I have been in recovery for 7 years. One of the things I am most proud of is that I have a growing willingness to be honest with myself about what I am responsible for instead of allowing myself to blame others for what is going on in my life. …
Recovery Hero: Bob Van Til
Hey, I’m Bob and I get to have a couple of recovery times and milestones. Alcohol, along with any and all other drugs, was my primary affliction, but after I started in recovery I also spent 20 years dependent on chronic pain opiates which I have been free of for 2 and a half years. …
Recovery Hero: Jayme Singleton
Another monday, another stellar recovery hero! This is Jayme Singleton’s story. My name is Jayme S. I began my journey into recovery six years ago. In that time I have met some challenges and setbacks however have maintained a strong drive and progression with my recovery process. My accomplishments since practicing the recovery lifestyle that …
Recovery Hero: Cailean Anderson
Cailean Anderson Recovery Hero The Recovery Hero of the week, Cailean Anderson! Such a great dude whos following the path to recovery. Hello! My name is Cailean Anderson, and I have been in recovery for 3 months. One thing I accomplished during my recovery that I am most proud of would be… Actually, on this …
Recovery Hero: Leon Stewart
This journey of recovery has been 25 months and I believe that I finally have this addiction behind me. It’s a rewarding benefit to my character and person. I can actually say with a positive demeanor that I’ve finally beat this character defect. I’m proud of myself and the happiest I’ve been in a long …
Recovery Hero: Sparkle Lindsay
Our Recovery Hero of the week is the wonderful Sparke Lindsay! Such a positive role model for so many people. Hi my name is Sparkle Lindsay and i have been sober for one year.I have managed to accomplish the gift of patience, understanding, compassion, grace and loving myself. I am learning the art of being. …
Recovery Hero: Alan Henley
The Recovery Hero of the week, Alan Henley! I began the journey of recovery in 1986 and have been free of alcohol and drugs since 1988 I am not proud of anything- it is all only by the grace of a power greater than self. I have had a 36 year career as a pharmacist …
Recovery Hero: Dominique Knowles
Another inspirational Recovery Hero! Thank you so much Dominique for sharing your story with us! My name is Dominique and I have been in sustained recovery for 2.5 years. Recovery has absolutely been the most rewarding journey I allowed myself to experience, including it’s ups and downs. Active participation in the Colorado Springs recovery community …
Recovery Hero: Trish McPeek
Another week, another recoery hero. We all appreciate this women so much and are thankful for sharing her story with us! Hello, I’m Trish McPeek. I’ve been in recovery for 2 years and 8 months. Prior to my recovery, I was withdrawn from every aspect of my life. Alcohol consumed me. Towards the end of …
Recovery Hero: Ashley Crockett
Our Recovery hero of the week, Ashley Crockett!!! The camel is just there for support. My name is Ashley Crockett and I have been in recovery for twenty-nine years. One day I awakened in the midst of wreckage caused my substance abuse;I felt I couldn’t go on the way I was living and I wanted …
Recovery Hero: Joey Johnson
Joey is an integral part of the team at SRC. He also chairs our All Recovery meeting on Tuesday nights. He is a great example of a person who walks the walk. Thanks for all you do Joey! My name is Joey Johnson and I have been in recovery since around September of 2014, however …
Recovery Hero: Chassity Lemuel
My name is Chassity Lemuel. I have been in sustained recovery from alcohol since November 17, 2016. In my recovery, what I am most proud of is finding the true me. Because of alcohol, I was lost for so many years. I never wanted to be vulnerable, I never wanted to show my weaknesses, and …
Recovery Hero: Charlene Best
I am Charlene Best and I have been in sustained recovery since 10-17-2013. I am really proud to say that I am free and clear from owing money or having compliance requirements to El Paso County! I have learned how to live and parent drug and alcohol free. I am learning how to problem solve …
Our Recovery Hero of the week, Luke Johnson!
My name is Luke Johnson and I have been trying to recover my life back, become a better person, and just be plain happy and proud of myself since May 13, 2011. A severe opioid and poly-substance use disorder is what brought me to my knees. I have met so many great people and I …