Nine men and women will walk the stage to receive their certificates of completion when the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission holds its summer graduation ceremony, 5 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at Montecito Covenant Church, 671 Cold Spring Road, Santa Barbara. The church will host the ceremony and reception.
The graduates who have finished the life-changing, 12-month, state-certified residential drug and alcohol treatment program, will be joining 810 recovery program graduates since 1997.
“When it comes to helping homeless, hungry and addicted people, getting them off the streets is always the first step. But it’s not enough,” said Rolf Geyling, Rescue Mission president. “We go further. We have to offer them lasting solutions that can lead to a whole new life.”
The public is invited to join the celebration and hear the men and women share their personal and moving testimonies of recovery such as the following:
“Without God and the whole spiritual program at Bethel House, there would be no hope for this alcoholic,” a Bethel House graduate said.
And from the men’s program: “In a short period, I’ve been given all the things I’ve pushed away in the last 20 years.”
The Rescue Mission is certified by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, the highest level of distinction given to non-medical treatment facilities. Graduates from the Rescue Mission are restored to health and productivity and re-enter society as responsible, committed parents and citizens.
— Rebecca M. Weber for Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.