Hi, I'm Yolanda Neeley, and I just celebrated 5 years in recovery on July 22, 2024! 🎉 It hasn't been an easy road, and right now, my biggest challenge is fighting to keep my two youngest children. But with the support of my family, my children, and my unwavering belief in my higher power, I'm determined not to lose this battle.

My advice to anyone still struggling is this: "Stay focused on your sobriety and the outcome you are looking for. There’s a better life waiting for you!" 

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 “My name is Tom J., and my sobriety date is January 1, 2021. I started using drugs at just 11 years old, and by 16, I was on the hard stuff. That life led me down some dark and destructive roads—roads that brought me in and out of many prisons. My lowest point came in December 2020, just after I was released from serving five years. I chose to use again and overdosed. I’ll never forget what happened next—on January 1, 2021, I felt God asking me, ‘Are you done trying to kill yourself?’ That moment changed everything. I said yes.”

“Since that day, I’ve been rebuilding my life with the guidance of God, my sponsor, and the incredible friends I’ve made in recovery.”

"I encourage anyone who is struggling with addiction to know that it is possible to overcome. Strength from God, help from others, and prayer made all the difference for me. Making meetings regularly, meeting with my sponsor weekly, and connecting with members of A.A. daily have helped me stay grounded and focused. Today, my life has true meaning, and I’m living one day at a time.”

“I’m proud to work for one of the best organizations in Chicago, helping to end the stigma of addiction and support our community in finding a better way to live.”

My lowest point was when I relapsed and lost my great job. Everything I had worked for seemed to disappear overnight, and I ended up living at the Salvation Army. It was a harsh reality to face, but it was also the wake-up call I needed. I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. CRCC played a huge role in helping me rebuild my life—they didn’t just offer support; they helped me become employable again. Having that second chance gave me the hope and determination to keep moving forward.

For anyone still struggling, I want you to know that it’s never too late to turn things around. Recovery isn’t just something you do for a little while—it’s for life. Today, I focus on doing the next right thing and staying connected to the support systems that helped me get back on my feet. CRCC showed me that even after hitting rock bottom, you can rebuild a life worth living. If you’re reading this, just remember—you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to start again.

My lowest point was when I relapsed and lost my car. It felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away, and the weight of that failure was almost too much to handle. Getting involved with John and the CRCC program changed everything. Seeing someone who had walked a similar path and come out stronger gave me hope that I could recover too. Their support helped me see that my story wasn’t over yet.

For anyone still struggling, I want you to know that recovery is possible. It’s a lifelong journey, but it’s one worth taking. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to start again. Today, I stay connected to the support system at CRCC and focus on doing the next right thing. I’ve realized that even after a setback, you can find your way back with the right help and a little faith. Keep going, because your story isn’t over either.

Hi, I’m Christy, and I’ve been in recovery since October 7, 2017. At my lowest point, I hated myself and what my life had become. I drank because I always felt less than, and alcohol helped me escape my thoughts. My life revolved around drinking, and I felt utterly hopeless. The turning point came when I finally surrendered and accepted the help that was offered to me.

Today, I understand that I am completely powerless once I put alcohol or drugs into my system. This realization has been crucial in my recovery journey. I now have a strong relationship with God and have built wonderful connections with people in the recovery program. I’m blessed with two wonderful sons and a loving husband, and I make it a priority to attend meetings regularly. Exercise has also become a significant part of my routine, benefiting my mental, physical, and spiritual health."

"My recovery journey began when I hit rock bottom. I was homeless, broke, and unemployed. My family was disappointed in me, and I had been hospitalized due to alcohol abuse. Life just kept getting worse. I couldn’t go a day without drinking to calm my nerves, and I felt like I was drowning in sorrow. I didn’t know how to stop the cycle, and I was lost.

But one day, I decided I wanted to change. I committed myself to the recovery lifestyle, and slowly but surely, things started to turn around. Programs like CRCC’s workforce development and living in a recovery home have been a blessing. Through their support, I gained the skills I needed to conduct myself in interviews and build confidence. Today, I’m proud to say I’m no longer unemployed, and I owe so much of that to the people at Chicago Recovering Communities.

Recovery gave me the chance to rebuild my life. I’ve gone from being depressed and out of place to having purpose and hope. I love life now. Recovery brought me closer to God, helped me find myself, and showed me that even at my lowest point, change was possible." 

"My lowest point was losing my son. That kind of pain is unimaginable, and there were moments when I didn’t think I could survive it. What helped me through was the support of others who had also lost a child—they understood the pain I couldn’t put into words. My higher power and the love of my friends carried me when I couldn’t carry myself. I leaned into the fellowship, and I let others help me heal. Those connections reminded me that I wasn’t alone, even in my darkest moments."

"For anyone still struggling, I want to say—don’t be afraid to ask for help," Lynn shares warmly. "It’s okay to not have all the answers, and it’s okay to lean on others. I’ve been in recovery for 32 years, and what keeps me going is staying in touch with my sponsor, making Zoom meetings, and maintaining a relationship with my higher power. Recovery isn’t just about putting down the substance—it’s about building a life with people who truly care. Keep reaching out, keep showing up, and trust that it gets better. There’s hope, even on the hardest days."

My lowest point was when I was homeless, unemployed, in an abusive relationship, and had a probation warrant hanging over me. I was completely broken—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Walking into Alcoholics Anonymous on October 8, 2003, was an act of desperation, but it became the start of a new life. I showed up with an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to do whatever it took to change. That’s when I realized I needed God more than anything. Building a relationship with Him has been the foundation of my recovery ever since.

I believe that if I can do it, anyone can. I’ve learned that you can’t cure a spiritual sickness with a natural solution—you need God. Finding people who wanted the same thing made all the difference. I got a sponsor and let her help me because I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Today, I follow the same steps I did back then. I stay open to change, help other women find their way, and serve wherever I’m needed. To anyone still struggling, I just want to say—keep your heart and mind open. There’s hope, and if you’re willing to do the work, your life can change too.

"Hi, I'm Barbara, and I've been clean for 35 years. I never intended to stay clean this long, but as the days passed, life got so much better that I chose to remain in recovery. I’ve gained a new way to cope with life's challenges—those moments that used to send me running to drugs and alcohol. Now, I make meetings, talk about how I feel, and find hope and the support I need to get through anything. My life is filled with new friends, a sense of purpose, and peace I never knew was possible.

At my lowest point, I was diagnosed as HIV positive, and I thought my life was over. I was devastated, ashamed, and my self-esteem was shattered. But my Higher Power, along with other members in recovery, held my hand and showed me a different perspective. Recovery has changed my entire outlook on life. I remain grateful every single day and take it one day at a time. If I can do it, so can you! Recovery works, and it will work for you too."

"My lowest point was when my kids and I were living in my mother’s house, completely defeated by addiction," Barbara shares. "I had been off heroin three times before but didn’t understand that one was too many and a thousand was never enough. A single bad decision led me back to using for ten years, ending in six months in prison. It wasn’t until a friend introduced me to Haymarket that I finally found a way out. I walked into detox on October 18, 1992, and that was the start of my new life."

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Recovery for me is a way of life.I’ve been clean for over 32 years, and my life is full of blessings. I have amazing friends, and we travel, work, and make meetings together. I give back by helping others, serving on convention committees, and working with my sponsor and support group. Most of all, I owe my life to the God of my understanding. To anyone struggling, don’t give up—it’s easier to stay here than it is to get here."

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"My lowest point was when I was homeless, having lost everything—including myself. I was consumed by pain and hopelessness, to the point where I didn’t want to go on. I remember dropping to my knees and praying, ‘I can’t keep doing this to myself! Please take this pain and the craving for one more away—I surrender!’ That moment of surrender changed everything. I started calling treatment centers one after another, desperate for a way out. When Gateway took me in, it felt like a lifeline I didn’t think I deserved. That was just over four months ago, and my life has been slowly transforming ever since."

"To anyone still struggling, I want you to know that as long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to find recovery," Sandra shares with a hopeful smile. "There is life after addiction, and anything is possible with a power greater than yourself and the determination to keep fighting. Today, I stay connected to that higher power, lean into the support of my recovery community, and remind myself daily that progress—not perfection—is what matters. If you’re reading this, please don’t give up. Surrender isn’t about weakness—it’s the first step toward freedom."

My lowest point came in December 2023 when I was hospitalized for Delirium Tremens. Before that, I faced two charges in Texas that could have put me in prison for years, but by some miracle, they were reduced to misdemeanors, and I served seven months in jail. It wasn’t until I ended up in the psych ward that I realized I couldn’t keep living that way. After battling addiction since 2009 and facing death more times than I can count, I knew I was running out of chances. What saved me was an outpatient program, weekly therapy, and the support of my family and friends. I got sober in January 2024, and my life has been different ever since. For me, exercise has been a big part of my sobriety. Recovery also reignited my motivation to go back to school. I’m working on my bachelor’s in Social Work and hope to earn a master’s in Public Health. If you’re feeling trapped, remember—recovery is possible. Surrender, trust the process, and keep moving forward, one day at a time.​

"My name is Bridget, and my clean date is May 12, 2007. God has blessed me with 17 years in this new way of life. If there's one thing I've learned along the way, it's to never give up on yourself. No matter how much you struggle, keep coming back, because you are worth it.

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Today, I maintain a healthier lifestyle by taking care of myself—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I stay honest with my sponsor, go to meetings, do my step work, and avoid people and places that don’t feed my spirit. When I don’t know what to do or I’m not feeling my best, I lean on my network for support.

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Recovery has given me a new life, and if I can get through the darkest times, so can you. Keep showing up for yourself—it works if you work it!" 🙌💜

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"My lowest point was not seeing a life beyond using or even making it past 21," Skylar recalls. "I had moments of clarity when I got clean and started working a 12-step program—I could feel the freedom. But I kept slipping back, even after my beautiful baby boy was born. It wasn’t just the drugs I was chasing; it was a man. I gave him all of my power, and honestly, quitting the relationship was harder than quitting the drugs. I started attending different 12-step meetings just to keep an eye on him, but what I found instead was my home. Leaving that relationship was the most freeing thing I’ve ever done."

"For anyone still struggling, I want you to know that 'the only way out is through,'" Skylar shares. "That line from recovery literature has carried me through some of the darkest days. Time and time again, I faced situations I thought I couldn’t survive—but I did. Not only that, I did it without using drugs. Today, I attend meetings, maintain relationships with people who truly matter, and try my best to do the next right thing. Recovery has given me a life I never thought possible, and if you’re reading this, please don’t give up. You can make it through, too."

"My lowest point was on September 12, 1993, on the West Side of Chicago, sitting in a basement with a greasy jar of alcohol and a burned cotton ball floating at the bottom," Frances recalls. "My chest was hurting, but I couldn’t stop. Eventually, I drove myself to the hospital, where I found out I had suffered 3 to 4 small heart attacks that day. I was admitted and later transferred to the drug unit. Lying in that hospital bed, all I could think about was my three daughters—who would take care of them if I didn’t make it? That thought was my wake-up call. I wanted to live to see them grow up, and that desire became the spark that ignited my journey to recovery. Today, I’ve been in recovery for 30 years, and my life is unrecognizable from what it once was. During my stay in that drug unit, I was introduced to the 12-step program and was told I needed a sponsor with at least 10 years of sobriety. At first, I was angry, aggressive, and mentally distraught—I didn’t think I needed help from anyone. But I was wrong. Now, I’m a helper and a sponsor myself, living by the 12 principles in every area of my life."

My lowest point was when I was a young single mom of five, trapped in abuse and battling addiction. I was overwhelmed with shame and guilt, searching for love but finding pain. Everything changed when I found Narcotics Anonymous. The fellowship didn’t just help me get clean—it gave me a life worth living. Through NA, I found love, a husband, a home, and the courage to go back to school. Today, my greatest blessings are my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who remind me every day that recovery is a gift.

To anyone still struggling, keep coming back. Acceptance is the key. If an addict can stop using and find a new way of life, so can you. I’ve been clean for 8 years, 3 months, and 17 days, and I still go to meetings. Recovery isn’t just about staying clean—it’s about building a life worth living. So keep pushing forward, stay connected, and never lose hope—because a better life is possible.