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CeDAR Connects Alumni Newsletter
January 20th, 2022 | Volume 8
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Happy New Year, CeDAR Alumni! I hope everyone enjoyed their round of holidays. I have always appreciated the sense of optimism January brings. It's almost as if the beginning of the year is a ball of clay waiting to be molded to the desire of its creator. I am approaching 2022 with a commitment to intentionality. My aim is to be mindfully intentional, in all areas of my recovery and life, so that I am in a position to choose how I want to lead my life. Responsibility has always been a core value of my recovery and I view intentionality as being a preceding component of it. It is incredibly empowering to take responsibility for my own experience - something recovery has taught me.
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And so I ask you, how can you utilize intentionality so you then can choose how you want to show up to your recovery, your relationships and all other dimensions of life? Certainly something to reflect on and put into action. I would love to hear your thoughts and help to generate some ideas. If you'd like to schedule 1:1 time, reach out and we can collaborate on a 2022 recovery plan! Email: meghan.white@uchealth.org
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In last month's newsletter, we asked for ideas and suggestions for alumni programming, activities and service opportunities in 2022. We created a nifty suggestion box which will be included in every newsletter moving forward. Three of the features in this volume of CeDAR Connects came from the suggestions of alumni members!
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NoCo alumni chapter:
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We have alumni from every corner of Colorado and everywhere in-between, with a large contingency in Northern Colorado, fondly referred to as NoCo. The area for this region covers anywhere from Loveland to Greeley to Ft. Collins and of course our neighbors in Wyoming. If you are in Northern Colorado or Wyoming, we would love to get you involved with the forming of a regional alumni chapter. The aim is to provide a local alumni community along with an alumni meeting and activities. If you want to get involved, join us a for a virtual kick-off meeting on Wednesday, February 2nd at 7pm on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7204423494
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Recovery Book Club:
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Organizing a virtual book club has been a goal since we migrated to Zoom, so I was thrilled when alumni, Gayla T., offered to facilitate one. All are welcome so please share your input! For book suggestions: I Thought it was just me by Brene Brown, Healing the Shame that Binds you by John Bradshaw or Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the 12-steps by Richard Rohr. If you have a recovery-related read you'd like to toss in the hat, let us know! Potential times for the book club would be Tuesday evening, Friday evening, Saturday evening or Sunday evening. Email me with your preferences and once we have a book and a day/time solidified, we will announce a start date.
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Dads in Recovery:
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Calling all dads in recovery! The recently launched Moms in Recovery group has generated interest in creating a group dads could call their own. Ideally, we would need 3-4 dads to start the process. You all would have autonomy to decide how you want structure the group. Email me if you want to join!
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Upcoming Activities:
ParadigmOne offers a robust calendar with classes ranging from budgeting and boxing to art and music. Check out their offerings here. Oh, and they're free!
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The Phoenix continues to expand their programming. Check out a benefit event on January 30th at a local venue featuring a night of Grateful Dead music! View their full calendar here. Regular weekend events are offered.
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Click on the button below to learn of upcoming recovery-oriented activities.
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A Heartfelt Thank You:
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From myself and our residents, thank you so much to each of you who participated in the 2021 holiday gift drive. CeDAR residents wrote the alumni community a thank you card. Here's what it said, "Thank you for your fellowship and kind gifts over the holidays. Your support is greatly appreciated! - December, 2021 litter". Many residents said to me how surprised they were and how much it brightened up their time in treatment over the Christmas weekend!
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For this alumnus, 2022 is brimming with hope:
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There is something about new beginnings that is so exciting! The start of a fresh, new year brings endless possibilities. Especially, when it feels like there is no other way to go but up. When I think of my intentions and goals for this year, I feel very hopeful.
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CeDAR has provided me with countless insights, skills and a sober community to assist me in my recovery journey. I plan to capitalize on every opportunity I have to increase my chances of being successful in sobriety and otherwise. I hope to work toward a more balanced lifestyle and routine. I plan to strengthen my almost non-existent spiritual side by keeping an open mind and exposing myself to new ideas. I also aim to find new, healthy ways to express myself. I have a hundred goals that are spread throughout every aspect of my life, but I feel the most impactful aspirations will be continuing to stay sober and connected with my CeDAR community. I will also be working on my physical and mental health with professionals - healing through the trauma that has held me back for way too long. Although there will be inevitable bumps in the road, I have high hopes for what the next year will bring all of us! Happy New Year, CeDAR! Brooke J. IRT 9/2021
"For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice." T.S. Eliot
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Come for Community, Stay for Radical Hospitality:
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This month's recovery resource spotlight features the Longmont Recovery Café, which opened in 2019. The inviting name delivers. It's a welcoming, safe place where people in recovery can gather for a meal, social activity, peer support and, yes, coffee. Plenty of it!
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Kick-off the Year with Service-Work:
The new 12-step meeting for CeDAR residents will be on Saturdays from 3pm-4:30pm. The first hour will be a discussion meeting and the last 30 minutes is set aside for questions and fellowship. We are looking for alumni to help lead meetings. Volunteers would need to be vaccinated. If you'd like to participate, reach out and let's chat.
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The alumni meeting continues to be a popular choice with an average of 60 in attendance. We hope to see you soon! CeDAR residents always appreciate when alumni show up & engage!
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