In the world of recovery, 12 Step sponsors have a critical role. Sponsors are those who have worked the 12 Steps, themselves, and are willing to help others do the same. We encourage the men of Helping Up Mission to get a 12 Step home group and sponsor.
At HUM we also have mentors – a man who has walked a spiritual walk and is willing to help another guy do it, too. Today, there are a couple dozen active mentors at Helping Up Mission
Earlier this spring we had 14 of our mentors participated in a Saturday mentor training meeting with Mike Rallo, our mentor training leader. Then, at lunchtime, another 14 mentees (guys from our Spiritual Recovery Program) joined them for lunch. It was good food and great conversation around the table. Our mentors are so willing to pass on the things which they have learned and found meaningful in their lives.
We had a second lunch that afternoon – the kitchen crew was really busy and did a great job. Forty members of our Helping Up Mission Alumni Association met to share what God has been doing in their lives. These are all men who have graduated from our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program. It was a pretty exciting time for me because almost all of them have graduated on my watch.
Also joining that meeting was Helping Up Mission board of directors member Bruce Mortimer, who shared his own story as well as his heart to see the men in our Alumni Association continue in their recovery and continue to give back to the underclassmen presently participating in our Program. This was a group of guys committed to giving back
This month we are preparing for another round of Mentor and Alumni meetings. The alumni will meet on Saturday July 16 and the mentors and mentees will be meeting on Saturday July 30. If you are an alumnus and want to find out about more alumni activities, contact DCarriker@helpingup.org. If you are interested in being a mentor here at Helping Up Mission, contact MRallo@helpingup.org.
Always and Only One Day at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director