25 April 2016 – “I shared things I had never shared with anyone before …. Yes, I feel lighter” says Anthony, a Free At Last (FAL) client part of the April 2016 graduation class of 10 in-residence and 5 out-patient clients. Thanks to the FAL program, he is now in recovery, he has a job and he is transitioning to sober living housing. When asked what he is most grateful for, he says it is getting back in touch with his sister and his oldest daughter, one he had not spoken to in over 30 years. This gratitude is precisely what helps the FAL’s 90 day programs succeed. Reconnecting with family is a crucial part of FAL’s approach to helping clients return to society as productive members.
Despite their breathtaking impact, FAL graduations are a simple affair compared to the pomp and show usually associated with the term “graduation.” There are no caps, no gowns. There are no gifts. There is simply a single certificate and a chance for each graduate to speak for a minute each. But, for those that have not seen success in a long time, these certificates of completion are more precious than any college diploma. These graduation ceremonies mark the start of a wholly different and new phase of life for the graduates. The certificates are reminders of hope and optimism for the rest of their lives.
Hearty Congratulations to the FAL April 2016 Graduating Class!