Being of service in early recovery is a key component in maintaining long-term sobriety. Sober College introduces these young adults to service work early on to help them understand and appreciate its benefits, in hopes they will be willing to participate later on.
Community Service is Necessary in Early Sobriety
The Men's Program at the LA Food Bank
The development of this CORE Program, by staff member Shane Coyle, has given students a multitude of chances to give back to the community and get class credit. “Innovations like this are at the heart of the Sober College experience,” according to founder Robert Pfeifer, “Anytime we can take traditional treatment related activities, like service commitments, and combine that with an opportunity to gain credits … that is what we are all about.”
Dr. Niemann shares, “Volunteer work exposes students to many different aspects of life that they otherwise might not experience. This can help them choose a career path or find something that they are passionate about.” Several students echoed Niemann’s sentiments. According to Max S., a former student, “I was not looking forward to the beach clean with Heal the Bay, but it changed my life. Because of that experience, I’m now looking into studying marine biology.”
Earn Class Credit for Community Service and/or Court Ordered Hours While in Treatment
The CORE Program and volunteer work helps students to gain class credit, but also relieves stress. Being of service to others is incredibly beneficial to young adults in early recovery. It can lower stress levels and provide them with a sense of empowerment. This is critical for young adults in early sobriety who need stress management skills.
Sober College has already begun by reading to kids at local schools, playing regular concerts at the Woodland Care Center for the Elderly, helping the Heal The Bay Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Tree People, and helping at the Los Angeles Food Bank. Sober College has found that many different organizations throughout Los Angeles have been willing and excited about the help. The feelings of gratitude are mutual. Angela T., a student explained, “Helping at the elderly house and reading to the little kids were my favorite volunteer projects.” While Brandon P., another student, said, “helping clean the beach with Heal the Bay was life changing for me.” And both of them remarked, “I can’t believe this is part of my grade. I am extremely blessed and fortunate to have this experience and it really helps my recovery.”
What Sober College Does for their Surrounding Community…Check out our CORE Program Newsletter
Singing to the Elderly
- March Newsletter
- April Newsletter
- May Newsletter
- June Newsletter
- July Newsletter
- August Newsletter
- September Newsletter
- October Newsletter
- November Newsletter
- December/End of 2011 Newsletter
- January 2012
- Cooking Workshop January 2012
CLICK HERE to check out some of the other Volunteer Causes that Sober College is Involved in.
CORE Collaborators
LA Food Bank (lafoodbank.org)
Reading To Kids (readingtokids.org)
Heal The Bay (healthebay.org)
Pet Adoption Fund (petadoptionfund.org)
Project Angel Food (angelfood.org)
Tree People (http://www.treepeople.org)
Woodland Care Center (woodlandcarecenterllc.com)
Union Rescue Mission (urm.org)
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (our-redeemer.org)
Elsa at Hope Ranch Animal Rescue (elsainc.org, hoperanchanimalrescue.com)
Shane Coyle – Community Outreach Director
Shane joined the Sober College family as a mentor in December 2009. In his second year of employment, he developed the CORE (Community OutREach) program. He saw it as an opportunity to add another therapeutic element to the residents’ recovery process. Shane believes that volunteering with different organizations can help shape the young adults’ future by developing life skills, building self-esteem, and enhancing emotional awareness — three major components to having a successful recovery. Shane is currently pursuing his CAADE Certificate, in addition to a degree in Psychology. Shane has been sober for 5 years and brings his relatedness to the young adults at Sober College.
CLICK HERE! To check out some other Volunteer Causes that Sober College is Involved in
