SUMMER 2020 HARMONY FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER |
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MESSAGE FROM CEO, JIM GECKLER Families Need Recovery Too
For many of us the act of dropping our loved one off at the Harmony Foundation is followed by relief and hopefulness. We can rest easy knowing that they are getting the help they need, that they will return to us renewed and in recovery.
We often are less relieved or aware that this drop off also represents the beginning of our recovery. When substances are being used by a family member the entire group is affected. When someone I love is struggling with alcohol, cocaine, or opiates, I am struggling with alcohol, cocaine, or opiates. As they start their recovery, I need to start mine.
Family programs are a key supporter of that start. While COVID has required us to move these vital support programs to a virtual platform, we can all still benefit from the education and engagement. Support systems such as Al-Anon or the Harmony Family Peer Group give us a place to learn that we are not alone in both the experience of watching a loved one in addiction or in our journey as a family member in recovery.
Dr. Beverly Berg points out in her book Loving Someone in Recovery, “being sober is not, on its own, enough to make everything fall into place. If you want a happy and healthy partnership, you both must be willing to take a deeper look within yourselves and your relationship”. Recovery does not happen in a vacuum, as family members we must be willing to do our work, to learn what healthy boundaries look like, to learn how to care for ourselves.
Many of us have learned how to fix situations, to put the person we love before ourselves. While intentions may be noble in this regard the reality is that when substances come into the mix noble responses can harm. We must learn to “place the mask over your own mouth and nose before helping others”, even if this feels uncomfortable.
Harmony Family Program and our Family Peer Support Group are offered weekly. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are available hourly around the world. Please call Harmony at 970-340-2228 with any questions about getting support for family members.
Thank you and stay well! |
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Family Program Virtual Support Group |
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Virtual Family Support Group Wednesdays from 6-7:30 pm Our weekly virtual meetings are a peer driven model allowing families from with all spectrum’s of recovery to come together to discuss issues like, boundaries, self-care, co-dependency, enabling, trust |
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Alumni Special Summer Events |
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| Christian with "Recover. Cook. Thrive." teaching his cooking class at the Fort Collins office |
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"I love Harmony. Harmony helped save my life and provide me with a solid foundation to build upon to live a healthy life in sobriety." |
| ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Craig K.
Alum Craig K. just celebrated 6 months of continuous sobriety. He got sober right when COVID-19 hit and that has not been a speed bump at in his recovery. After he left Harmony, Craig attended 127 AA meetings on Zoom in 90 days.
Craig is the proud father of two children and lives in Centennial, CO. Craig attends our weekly alumni peer support meetings, serves as a community connection to our current clients and came back to campus to share his story for our Saturday Night Speaker Dinner. |
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UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS Due to COVID-19, we invite you to check back with updates to schedule changes for in-person events. |
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September 18th 6:00 PM–7:00 PM Step By Step Virtual Fundraiser |
| September 19th 9:00 AM–8:30 PM Virtual Homecoming 2020 |
| September 28th 6:30 PM–7:30 PM Alumni Book Club Braving the Wilderness |
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Recognizing the Efforts of our Community |
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 | STAFF SPOTLIGHT Strategic Outreach Team
At any given time, you can find our Strategic Outreach team building relationships and spreading the message of Harmony to those in need.
Marlyce, Karen and Melanie are seasoned professionals with a high degree of passion and commitment for helping those struggling with substance use disorders. Their personal and professional experience with recovery has empowered them to be the right people to contact when individuals and families are in crisis and need help right away.
Thank you to our road warriors for their tireless commitment to the mission of Harmony. |
| | | REFERRAL SPOTLIGHT Continuum Recovery Center
Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado is a Denver-based outpatient treatment center. We specialize in distinctive and holistic drug and alcohol addiction recovery programs, delivered with love, understanding, and compassion. We meet you where you’re at and offer support, education, and a path back to wholeness for you and your loved ones. Let us help you heal from the disease of addiction and reclaim your best life: active, vibrant, and purpose driven. |
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Giving Makes Recovery Possible |
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| STEP BY STEP Join the virtual broadcast September 18th at 6 PM MT Registration is free
Enjoy a program with Jim Geckler, Michael Arnold, and comedienne, Dawn Lutrell. The one-hour event will include a silent auction and alumni testimonials. Proceeds from the event will financially help those with the desire, but without the means, to receive the addiction treatment they need. |
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Divine Intervention Founded Recovery in the Rockies |
By Kathy Bader, spouse of Harmony founder Bob Dean
In 1968 God saw a secluded ranch in Estes Park, Colorado, and thought it was the perfect place for people who were addicted to alcohol to receive help. He knew Bob Dean had the same vision, but Bob was busy managing the Willard Hotel in Washington DC. God simply CLOSED THE WILLARD HOTEL. Its owners asked Bob to manage the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, so we moved to the Rocky Mountains. Bob was active in Alcoholics Anonymous, but his dream was to start a treatment center. He used to say, “I’m just a drunk who wants to help other drunks.” Bob spoke to our friends John and Kathy Marks. I remember John saying, “Show me where to sign up, Bob. Zeros don’t bother me!” A call from Dave Hart, the owner of Harmony Guest Ranch, proved fateful. When Bob drove up the driveway, he knew this was his dream come true. That afternoon, July 18, 1969, Bob and Dave drew up a five-year lease. Bob established Harmony as a nonprofit and recruited a Board of Directors. November 15th was set as the opening day. |
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“Thank you to all of the directors and CEOs over the last 51 years for their unwavering dedication. Divine intervention put each one of those talented and courageous people in the proper positions at the right time, including Bob Dean.” |
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On November 1 Bob wrote checks for rent, payroll, and supplies. “On Monday, the 3rd I had to have $10,000 in the bank,” he wrote. “I had no idea where it was coming from but went to bed knowing my Higher Power would help and I turned it all over to Him.” The next morning Bob met with the Board of Directors. Several donated money. Bob sold some stock. The total came to the $10,000 he needed. The name of the lodge was so in harmony with what Harmony stood for, the board decided to keep it. Harmony’s doors opened on November 15. "The first student" walked in two days later. We called clients “students” because Bob said they were learning a new way of life. We left Harmony, but word reached us that it was struggling and about to close. Searching for a key to lock the front door, the board president found a bag of checks in a drawer. From that day on, Harmony’s finances improved. I believe divine intervention was in charge then and still is to this day. |
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Harmony Foundation 1600 Fish Hatchery Road Estes Park, CO 80517 |
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