It was a joyful celebration of personal accomplishment for some of the men of House of Hope, a substance abuse treatment center in Wildwood. Six men were honored Friday evening at Hope Lutheran Church by more than 200 Villagers and local community attendees for achieving the hardest thing they had ever done – breaking the chains that bound them to their addictions. After completing the year-long program offered at House of Hope, these six men will enter the longest phase of their life-plan: living a clean life without their addiction, one day at a time.
The program has been a tremendous benefit for these men. As one graduate said: “I had never finished anything before I got to House of Hope. The people there — those men I call my brothers — and the many volunteers helped me find the will and strength to finish.”
Not only did he finish the addiction recovery program, he also was one of the night’s high school graduates.
Pastor Malcolm Mosley of the House of Hope opened the evening with a special prayer. Len Robertson, president of the House of Hope Board spent several minutes recognizing many of the dynamic volunteers who made the events of the day possible: Pastor Malcolm Mosley, Dr. Ron Blom, Pastor Mary Cullinane, Pastor Joe Delgado, Pastor Marilyn Delgado, Linda Griffin, Dr. Kent Hamdorf, Pastor Evelyn Pratts, Pastor Harry Pratts and Virginia Robertson.
Participating in the evening were Michele Hilton, a House of Hope parent and commencement speaker state Rep. Marlene O’Toole.
In her words of encouragement Mrs. Hilton reminded the graduates of two key principles they learned in addressing life’s choices and challenges: First they have the care and concern of their “Hope brothers”, the volunteer staff, and the community. Second–after telling the biblical story of the Israelites versus the Philistines– cited Psalms 24:5 to emphasize that “with God you will prevail.
O’Toole individually greeted each graduate before providing the commencement address. Her personal experience with alcoholic personalities and suicide in her own family gave special meaning to her address. After commenting on the drive of the graduates to succeed, she challenged them to serve as mentors for others who are facing similar challenges. And in closing, underscored one of the main goals of the program: trust God. She capped off her comments with a “high five” to each graduate.
The men of House of Hope sang two songs for the celebration. Opening the evening, they sang — in Spanish — Este Cayendo (You are Desceding) by Jose Luis Reyes.
Additionally recognized were five men who, as part of their program goals at House of Hope, completed all requirements for award of their high school diploma through the Educative Center “The Redeemer,” an individualized yet accelerated program designed to facilitate the learning process for individuals not successful in traditional learning.
For these men, achieving the diploma had many meanings. As noted by one of the oldest graduates, Buster Ricky Gillard, a grandfather, it was completing a commitment to his mother. To all it was a further symbol that they have taken control of their lives and are moving forward.
After the official graduation program and granting of diplomas, the men performed a song of faith and Hope: Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God.” The fervor of their performance moved the audience who joined in the singing and gave the men a standing ovation.
House of Hope is a nonprofit residential substance abuse treatment program dedicated to helping men reclaim their lives from addictive behaviors, while healing their families and making better communities. House of Hope welcomes men without regard to background or addiction and helps guide them to a path of health and wholeness in Christ; arriving broken but leaving whole. House of Hope holds a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit designation. For more information or to become a Friend of House of Hope call (352) 748-0338.