What Students, Parents, and Professionals are Saying About SCU
Students
Kyle M
“When I first thought about what I was going to do for this assignment I thought for a long time, after completing it I have to say it gave me a positive feeling from the act of being of service. It made me feel good about myself. I had made a difference in another person’s life by doing a simple, yet selfless act. It also makes me feel good to know that I am also getting college credit for being of service”
Gabe B
“…As long as I keep working on my sobriety and do assignments like these I think I will have a much better chance of staying sober. This of course is the main goal and focus, and I’m very open to anything that will help me with this, especially when I get high school and college credits for it as well.”
Grace F
“Today I am doing well. Through therapy and journaling my self-injurious behavior has stopped. I have good grades in my classes so far and am working hard to make all the new people who come to Sober College feel welcomed. My exit date to leave Sober College is January 5, 2008. I feel bittersweet about leaving. Sober College has changed my life. I have done more growing in the past five months than ever before. I am sad, and often scared, to leave the warm, safe womb of Sober College. I have made so many great friendships here, and have seen many generations of residents come and go. I try to value my time here more and more as everyday passes. I will never forget my experience here. “
James C
“The main purpose of me taking this course is to make sure I stay current and up to date in my recovery and also to gain a stronger program. I believe by reading and studying throughout my big book I can gain more knowledge of the program. Not only do I hope to gain more knowledge of my program but I also hope to gain better writing skills and communication skills. After finishing this course I will have done a lot of essays and I hope that by the time I finish the course that my writing skills will improve and I can get back into a flow of doing schoolwork. I think that improving my communication skills is very important to my recovery because of the experience I have had in the past where I have had very poor communicating skills, which only made it worse.“
Talia W
“Has your writing changed since you started this course?
Yes it has changed. I think I have been more honest with myself and what I have been writing. I think that is because I am more in touch with my feelings than I was before I started working on my recovery and working on this course.”
Miles L
“Being able to work on college courses while I was in treatment was extremely helpful for my recovery. I had been to treatment centers before Sober College and was never able to make as much forward progress in my life as I was here. The learning environment, education center, and faculty were the difference for me.”
Parents
"Your program and staff far exceeds any other program we looked at and I thank you for everything you have done for my daughter and our family. You are truly a god send helping her through school. She respects you very much."
Kelly B
"There is no perfect place for a teenager with drug and alcohol problems! However at Sober College my young son was able to focus on his education in a short period of time. He completed his high school educatuon white at Sober College University and went on to apply to college. He was accepted to several colleges and is now attending college in Texas. Sober College University made a difference."
Jana F
"Thank-you for your efforts and your thoughts and words. I apprediate that very much. Thanks very much for our daughter's GED certificate, she is making a great deal of progress and that is gratifying."
Charles G
Brian, one year ago today, Nelson and I brought Andrew to Sober College. He was so sick and we were filled with despair. We doubted things would ever get better. Now, one year later, the changes in his life and our family's are nothing short of amazing. He is healthy, happy, productive - so much more than we dreamed of at that time. Please share this with the Sober staff. His participation in your program made the difference. I can't imagine how he (or we) would have survived without it. Thank you all for the support and encouragement you gave him during the last year, and that you continue to give him. Words seem insufficient to express our gratitude.
Dear Brian,
Our family was so impressed and amazingly exhausted by the whole weekend. What a deep process for everyone! Thanks so much to you and Rick and Naz for putting it all together. I know it was helpful to all of us, and it really seemed to change attitudes in many of the family members there. We are particularly lucky to have some family time in the mountains this week, just to have fun being together without an agenda. I think the weekend made it possible for us to leave the therapy behind and really enjoy each other's company this week.
Nancy
Deb & Nelson O'Connor
Immediately prior to Sober College, my daughter spent 3 months at another treatment center. They do a very good job doing the first 30 days, and not so good a job in their step down program. I have found quite the opposite at Sober College. When people like Katie, or Sarah would certainly have the opportunity to turn their heads, in a whatever, type attitude, they have been quite interactive with my daughter and have taken her recovery and return to some semblance of life skills quite personally.
Just this weekend, my daughter came home to San Diego. On Saturday night, she was driving back to the valley and blew a tire at 10:30. She call a tow service and was told it would take at least an hour. I told her I was on my way and hustled my way there within an hour to find her stranded a foot away from oncoming traffic and on the phone to Katie, who stayed on the phone with her until I arrived. When I got there, surprisingly, she was quite calm. Trust me, the situation I found her in would have unsettled a sober judge!
You can’t imagine how much my wife and I appreciate the commitment , care and simple kindness by Katie giving up a good part of her Saturday night to help my daughter. I get the same kind of prompt and professional courtesy from Sarah and have had the opportunity to interact with Gabbi and Noz, who have been great as well.
You have clearly instilled a true spirit of service across the board there. For which, we will always be appreciative, and willing to continue to support sober College with enthusiasm.
- Bill N
Hi Brian,
Many thanks for all your hard work regarding last week's family workshop. I came away feeling very secure in our choice for Michael at this time. It is obvious that your staff treats Michael with respect, which has not been the case in past placements. Both Naz and Rick were very kind and tender in the way they dealt/spoke with him. As a parent and living 3000 miles away, it was a relief for me to see him happy with his Sober College family. I've come to the realization that I
must step back and let him make some decisions on his own and then deal with the consequences of those actions. I was happy to see that all the staff have interactions with all of the residents, not only their individual therapist, house staff. Lisa and Katie were reassuring that
they could be reached 24, 7 if we felt necessary. I really wasn't sure what to expect for last weekend. It was a wonderful experience in dealing with other parents/families with regard to their
sons,daughters, siblings. We(the families) felt very relaxed and supported to be able to open up. Alot of emotions were shared. Alot of crying, and laughing. It was obvious to the group that not only were the parents suffering, but in this way, the siblings were able to get things off their chests - feelings of guilt was paramount by siblings. This was a rather big eye opening experience and realizations for me. Michael struggles, but he feels supported by All those he comes in contact with. He loves his sponsor and NA and AA groups.He suffers with his bi-polar disease and is aware that he must stay clean and take his prescribed meds in order to have a chance at a
successful life. The fact that he expresses his desire to remain in California upon leaving Sober College is reassuring to me that he feels very supported and positive in his addiction recovery. My family and I are very grateful to all of you for your continued support and respect of our Michael.
Sincerely,
Laurie Gordon
Just wanted to express our heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to the entire staff for a wonderful weekend. It was George and my first experience and there were so many emotions, but it was a healing time.
Having the honor and priviledge to meet so many incredible families and being able to share and connect helped us in so many ways. Heartflet thanks to Rick, amazing vocals, and the energy, love and true compassion he showed for Blake made me feel very lucky that my son was involved in Sober College.
Lets not forgot Katie, she is organized, intelligent, never lets you down, is compassionate and has a great sense of humor, which is really needed at times. I am truly blessed to have met her.
Shouts out to Brian Dunham for having the ability to connect with Blake and being supportive and his caring demeanor shows everytime you talk with him. Thanks Brian!!
Naz, I an inspired and amazed , your comforting spirit and connection you make with every resident is a gift. Thanks a million.
I am thankful to God that Blake has the opportunity to be involved with such an incredible staff. The talent show was enjoyable. Thanks for all the effort and for the hard work of the staff for having the starbucks and all the goodies available without fail every am.
Brian thank you for always responding to my emails and for caring for Blake, I can't express what that means to us.
We are grateful to the entire Sober College staff.
George & Kim Demas (Blake's parents)
Professionals
"Thank you so much for the work you do for young people. Luke really deserved this chance! He has so much to offer, don't you think? I was really holding my breath, hoping he would be able to do the work and complete it in time to get his bhigh school diploma now that i see it, it's wonderful, and i can breathe. I will submit his name for graduation todat and take it from here."
Sharon Brown, Teacher, Aztech Middle College
"The quality of work from your students is very good. I have told some that they are really educating me. Basically they are doing every bit as well as any of my students of comparable age. I know there are some studies being done here about online courses and whether some athelete across the country are getting by too easily. Well, not in my courses! I am happy to have your students. Keep up the wonderful work.
Professor Elizabeth Wahlquist, Brigham Young University
I Definitely believe in the work you are doing! I grew up with addictions and am passionately dedicated to supporting innovative approaches that help clients, families and therapists... you guys are doing that in such a grounded, fun and practical way.
Suzanne Jarvis, Chief Operating Officer, ESEM
Dear Brian,
I would like to take a moment to reflect on our work with the recent student, Chris D, from Sober College University. We appreciate your involvement in getting him to attend out school and look forward to a long and lasting relationship.
I have to admit, initially, we were very unsure of accepting him; however, he has gone above and beyond in representing your school. In fact, we noticed that he came better prepared, was always on time, and worked as hard as any student we have had.
We understand that his success at our institution is due in large part to you and your college's work in getting student's back on track. You obviously do a wonderful job in getting students prepared for college and ready to be involved in the educational process. From what we understand of his story and how he came to be in your facility, this is nothing short of miraculous.
Brian, thank you again for sending Chris our way. We look forward to working with you. Congratulations on your work!
Randi Spector, Associate Director of Admissions - DeVry University
Dear Brian,
Thank you for bringing your group of students to Agoura High School to talk to our parents and staff. Each of them did a wonderful job telling us about their home lives, education, and experiences on how they became addicts. It was especially informative when they shared what did work and what did not work for each of them on their road to recovery.
It was very beneficial to all of us when we opened it up to questions from the audience. Your students were able to answer the questions that were put to them by our parents with ease and honesty.
I recieved a phone call the following morning from a concerned parents who felt that the meeting was very beneficial to her. She has now taken steps to seek professional help for her son. I have also recieved positive feedback from other parents and staff memebers. Mr. Regab, our assistant principal will be in touch with you regarding our upcoming assembly.
Again, my sincere thanks to all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend our Bridging the Gap meeting.
Jean Simpson, Facilitator for Bridging the Gap - Agoura High School
Dear Mr. Brekke,
Dustin's Dream is a newly formed non-profit foundation that is focused on helping with Educational Needs for Young Adults. We Were excited to hear about the new Arts program, to enrich the lives of young people in the Sober College program. It is our hope that this donation of $1000.00 can make a difference by helping to fund the start-up of your new educational curriculum in the Arts.
As you know, the arts including music and photography were special interests of our son, Dustin. Adding choices that include the arts for young people to explore will surely allow them to share a side of themselves that might not otherwise be unconvered.
Please let us know how this new program progresses.
Sincerely,
Dena L. Rich and Ron J. Rich, President and Chairman of Dustin's Dream
