Pubdate: Mon, 14 Apr 2003
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2003 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428
Author: Maria Beaudoin

REHAB PROGRAM CELEBRATES GRADUATION OF 3

DURHAM -- Three Durham residents were honored Sunday in a special 
graduation marking their return to independent living, free from drugs and 
alcohol.

Alvin Sparks, Diana Robinson and Tanya Yancey each completed a 12-month 
program with the Phoenix House and the Dove House, male and female housing 
within the Housing for New Hope program, which helps homeless people move 
toward independent and professional living.

The ceremony at the Northgate Presbyterian Church Sunday was marked by 
tears of pride and joy as family members and sponsors gathered to honor the 
graduates.

"I am grateful to the house because, before I came here, I had reached the 
bottom," said Diana Robinson, 42, who was addicted to drugs and alcohol and 
was homeless for three or four months. "I didn't want structure. I wanted 
to do things my way. But I went there with the attitude that I either had 
to learn a new way to live or die."

Assistant Director of Housing for New Hope, Regina Ware, addressed the 
graduates and the current Phoenix and Dove house residents who were in 
attendance.

"It's worth it," Ware said. "We are helping you do things that you forgot 
how to do. We are reteaching you things that you already knew."

The Rev. Michael Page of First Antioch Church was the guest speaker at the 
ceremony, and offered words of advice and encouragement to the graduates 
and the current residents of both houses.

"What we have to remember is that there are going to be some good days and 
there are going to be some bad days, but you've got to go on just the 
same," Page said. "We need you to tell your story today because there are 
far too many helpless and hopeless people who need to hear your story."

Graduates accepted their honors through tears and family members spoke out 
to tell them of their pride.

"I just got so tired of living the way that I was living and I thought that 
I had to do it myself," said Tanya Yancey, 41, who was a drug addict and 
homeless for six months. "It's changed my life and it's saved my life."

Yancey now works as a certified nursing assistant at LaSalle Rehabilitation 
Center, and Robinson works as an accounting clerk at life insurance firm 
North Carolina Mutual.

"I just chose life and I decided I needed to go," said Alvin Sparks of his 
decision to enter the Phoenix house. Sparks was referred by a mental health 
clinic in Fayetteville. "When I first came in the house, I really struggled 
and I needed the help bad."

Sparks now works at a group home for teenage boys and shares his 
experiences with them to help them change their lives the way he did.

There are six men and six women in the Housing for New Hope program. 
Residents must complete a 12-month program, continue to stay clean of 
alcohol and drugs, open a savings or checking account and follow the rules 
of the program.

There are also five women in the perinatal program in which women who are 
pregnant or have children live.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart