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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart