{"id":1888,"date":"2022-11-01T21:41:20","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T21:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/?p=1888"},"modified":"2022-11-01T21:41:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T21:41:21","slug":"core-house-managers-express-thanks-this-holiday-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/2022\/11\/01\/core-house-managers-express-thanks-this-holiday-season\/","title":{"rendered":"CORE House Managers Express Thanks This Holiday Season!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CORE House Managers Express Thanks This Holiday Season!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thanksgiving Day is almost here!  It’s all about togetherness, gratitude, coziness, shelter, comfort, and happiness — the perfect<\/em> time to give thanks for blessings and to spend time with family and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The energy, warmth, and excitement kindled by grateful people is infectious! So, to help put everybody in the holiday spirit, we asked some of our CORE house managers what they are most thankful for.  Here are their awesome responses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“First and foremost, I’m thankful to God for never giving up on me.\u00a0 And then the love and support of my family, who never gave up, either.\u00a0 I’m thankful for the CORE program, too, and for Kevin Hunt, who answered my phone call and got me in.\u00a0 He probably saved my life<\/em>.”
\u2013 Jeremy Hampton (Seahawk House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m so grateful to God for restoring my relationship with my family.\u00a0 There is no word to describe how grateful I am for that.\u00a0 I don’t have a word for that.\u00a0 And I am completely grateful to CORE and the community and friendships found here.\u00a0 My life has purpose and meaning today; it goes beyond just daily living.\u00a0 There is no aspect of my life that I’m ungrateful for.\u00a0 None<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Tamara Spencer (6th Street House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“God thought I was worth a second chance.\u00a0 The Steps allowed me to have my family back.\u00a0 I’m thankful to be a good son, husband, and father now.\u00a0 I’m thankful that the worst problems I have today are so minor.\u00a0 I’m thankful for CORE, these 12 Steps, and for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Dallas Conaway (Raven House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My restored relationship with God, my family, and my newfound relationships with so many friends at CORE.\u00a0 My CORE family \u2013 there’s just so much to be thankful for<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Jen Brinkman (Quail House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Relationships.\u00a0 My family, my kids.\u00a0 The lifelong relationships I’ve made here.\u00a0 God repaired my broken relationships with my family and children.\u00a0 My mom and dad are older, but when they are ready to leave this world, they’ll know I’m okay<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Bracy Sams (Hawkeye House)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The fact that I became willing to follow instructions.\u00a0 I view this as a gift from God, because I heard them a million times before I actually followed them.\u00a0 Just this morning an older man showed up out on the front porch.\u00a0 His wife had kicked him out, put all his stuff out, but, oh yeah, he knows all about AA, goes to AA twice a week, yada yada.\u00a0 Bless his heart.\u00a0 He never followed the instructions.\u00a0 The reality is, this man is walking around with nothing because he wasn\u2019t willing to follow instructions.\u00a0 So my willingness was a gift from God, I think, because I was that person once, walking around saying help me, but being unwilling to accept real help<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Kim Stewart (Swan House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful that God is understanding and forgiving.\u00a0 And merciful.\u00a0 I’m genuinely thankful for my friends, for like minded people.\u00a0 And I’m thankful to be at a place where miracles happen.\u00a0 I see miracles, from start to finish, and see the differences.\u00a0 Every day I ask people how they’re doing, and they say, you know, same old same old.\u00a0 The next day, it’s still same old.\u00a0 After awhile, I see that the same olds aren’t the same anymore.\u00a0 They’re totally new people, and that’s the miracle<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Neil Finley (Duck House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m grateful for CORE and the foundation of eight years, and I’m thankful for all of the relationships that I’ve made this entire time.\u00a0 Not just with CORE and the people in it, but over eight years of sobriety, I’ve met a lot of good people<\/em>.”
\u2013 Christos Papanikas (Condor House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful for this program because it helped me find a relationship with God I never had before.\u00a0 I’m thankful for my family, and for all of the people I have around me that help me better my life.\u00a0 And thankful to God.\u00a0 I have to be.\u00a0 I wouldn’t be here today without Him<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Mitchell Brooks (Sparrow House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful for finding my Higher Power.\u00a0 When you’re saved, it’s something that you should know inside.\u00a0 People here say, don’t leave before the miracle happens.\u00a0 The first seven months I was here, I was like, when is this miracle thing going to happen?\u00a0 And then one day I woke up and thought, I am the miracle.\u00a0 I’m human again.\u00a0 I live an adult life, and I look forward to going to work and the Center, and to seeing all the people there.\u00a0 CORE gave me the structure for that to happen.\u00a0 The other thing I’m thankful for are the relationships with my family.\u00a0 My sisters call me out of the blue just to say hey.\u00a0 My parents talk to me.\u00a0 It’s a wonderful thing when that happens<\/em>.”
\u2013 Chasity Downey (Outdoor House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful to be at the intake house and have the opportunity to help the newcomer.\u00a0 I’m most thankful for having a close walk with Christ.\u00a0 When I wake up in the morning and do my devotion, I know exactly what I’m supposed to do for that day.\u00a0 Walking with Christ gives me direction and confidence<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Nick Zahm (Blue Jay House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am grateful to be part of a program where I can give back what I have learned to others. CORE provided me a faith based option, and I have reconnected with Christ as my Higher Power.\u00a0 I’m also grateful for all the people who come through the program.\u00a0 I drive transportation, too, which gives me individual time with clients to see their growth and help guide them through the Steps and the program<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Joe Redl (Cardinal House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My son.\u00a0 I’m so thankful that he has a sober mother today for our time together.\u00a0 I’m thankful for all the women I’m able to lead.\u00a0 And for God and the program, and for everything that He’s done for me<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Alecia Short (Vaughn House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful for recovery, five years on, and for CORE.\u00a0 And for my relationship with God.\u00a0 There also is my family, especially, my grandsons.\u00a0 I got my relationship back with my sister, too, who is such a strong woman.\u00a0 I’m thankful for the men in my house, the Bird House, it’s a great fraternity.\u00a0 And for the people at work.\u00a0 They know everything about my past, and I have no secrets in my life.\u00a0 I have so many good things to be thankful for.\u00a0 I also want to mention the stepfather my sons had in their life when I wasn’t there.\u00a0 I’m so thankful that he was in their life.\u00a0 They turned out to be really good men, and that needs to be said<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Scott Bourbon (Bird House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Without God in my life and the program, there would be nothing else to be thankful for.\u00a0 So, first and foremost, I’m thankful to God that I have a God conscience.\u00a0 I’m thankful for the CORE program, for giving me the opportunities that I have had over the last 18 months.\u00a0 And for the clients of this program, who help me work the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Adam Guss (Eagle House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am thankful for open eyes \u2013 the yes’s and the no’s \u2013 for the prayers answered even when the answer is no.\u00a0 I have grown from all of it.\u00a0 And thankful for the space CORE gave me to grow in recovery.\u00a0 I’m so thankful for my kids, 100%, for everything about them, over and over and over<\/em>. ”\u00a0
\u2013 Savella Elmore (BP\/Quail House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Two things I’m most thankful for are: one, that I can talk with my mom and she’s not worried about me.\u00a0 She sleeps at night without worrying about what I’m up to.\u00a0 Two, the people in my life.\u00a0 They call me, not to check and see if I’m alive, but because they really want to talk to me.\u00a0 Or they might need something.\u00a0 They can rely on me, and that\u2019s something I could never have imagined before.\u00a0 These are the things that, when I think about the people, I get emotional and stuff<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Dylan Butler (Falcon House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful for CORE, for my sobriety, and for my relationship with God.\u00a0 I’m really just thankful for everything!<\/em>”\u00a0
\u2013 Alexandria Powell (CC\/Swan House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Having my family back, my kids back.\u00a0 And thankful for this program and what it’s done for me.\u00a0 I don’t know where I’d be without it. It helped me get back on my feet and find a better relationship with God<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Tyler Hanson (Condor House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m thankful for all of the blessings that God has given me.\u00a0 For my family, and my CORE family.\u00a0 And I’m very grateful that I have the opportunity to help others<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Jennifer Mayo (Dove House)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That’s a long list, so I’m thankful to know what gratitude means, for me to be thankful today.\u00a0 I didn’t understand that in my addiction.\u00a0 Every day I remember where I came from and where I’m at now, and I try to pass along how to get there to the people who are still learning.\u00a0 In the mornings, I thank God for all the things that I can think of, and start my day with a grateful mindset.\u00a0 There’s so much, too, but I’m just grateful to be here, living out a dream that I never thought would be possible<\/em>.”\u00a0
\u2013 Blake Wilson (Pelican House)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CORE House Managers Express Thanks This Holiday Season! Thanksgiving Day is almost here!  It’s all about togetherness, gratitude, coziness, shelter, comfort, and happiness — the perfect time to give thanks for blessings and to spend time with family and friends. The energy, warmth, and excitement kindled by grateful people is infectious! So, to help put…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1888"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1888\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/core-usa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}