► An Alumni Newsletter is distributed quarterly with articles and letters from staff members, inspirational stories and experiences, alumni testimonials, as well as information about upcoming alumni events. All alumni are welcome and encouraged to send the Alumni Coordinator letters that let staff know how they are doing or stories of experiences they have had as they adjust to life after treatment.

► Santé hosts alumni dinners and functions when possible. As the alumni program grows, the goal for the future is to develop a routine system that will spread across the nation in order to help foster a community of alumni who are connected through shared experiences and support.

► Every year, Santé hosts the Annual Alumni Recovery Retreat. It is usually held around the first weekend of October on the Santé campus. This three day retreat offers alumni from all over the country the chance to renew, reconnect and recommit to their Recovery. Santé staff members and local mental health professionals offer several experiential therapies, lectures and discussions. It is always a fun time for staff, current patients and alumni. There are opportunities for alumni to connect with current patients, during 12-step meetings and meals. Several alumni have made the retreat a part of their commitment to recovery.

It’s important that alumni keep Santé up-to-date with current contact information so that they can receive all communication (newsletters, invitations, etc.). All alumni should feel free to check-in with the alumni coordinator at any time. Whether they need referrals, have suggestions, just want to check-in or are having a hard time getting a hold of someone else at Santé, the alumni coordinator is there to help in any way possible.

Erica Sheley    ericas@santecenter.com    800.258.4250 ext. 267

Here are some ideas on how to give back to other Santé alumni and the recovery community:

 “Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. A kindly act once in a while isn't enough. You have to act the Good Samaritan every day, if need be.” – AA Big Book, Chapter 7 

• Create a support system for one another
• Share your life story
• Become a sponsor
• Help others with transportation
• Attend Saturday on-campus groups
• Attend 12-Step Meetings
• Donate to the Santé Alumni Scholarship Fund
• Start Alumni Chapter meetings in your area
• Send a letter or email of gratitude
• Email us your Santé story of Recovery
• Register on our website to receive informative communications from us
• Attend Alumni events in your area
• Contact state or national policymakers to advocate for treatment
• Submit an article or idea to the alumni coordinator
• Tell your story to new patients at Santé
• Refer friends, family members and coworkers to Santé programs
• Encourage alcohol/drug prevention programs in your schools

Recovery Retreat - October 8-10, 2010

“Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends – this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.”
- AA Big Book, pg 89

The Santé Center for Healing family understands that the Recovery path may not always be a straight one, and would like to remind you that support and encouragement is always just around the corner. Each year the Santé Alumni Recovery Retreat offers peers, family and friends an opportunity to celebrate Recovery and share their experience, strength and hope with one another.

This year’s retreat will begin around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 8th with a reconnection reception for staff and alumni.

Followed by two days of:

• Experiential therapies- Ropes, Art, Psychodrama, Music and Equine
• Lectures and discussions with staff and local professionals
• 12-step meetings and opportunities to connect with current patients
  

The Santé staff, and your fellow alumni, are excited about seeing you! In the spirit of giving back to the community, Santé Alumni have established a scholarship fund for retreat costs. Each year qualifying Alumni will be given the opportunity to attend the Recovery Retreat and regain the strength and support they need to keep on the Recovery path (this fund does not currently cover travel and accommodations).

For more information regarding the Scholarship fund, donations to the fund, additional details and registration, please contact Erica Sheley at ericas@santecenter.com or 800.258.4250 ext. 267.