Last week I was in St. Louis (Kirkwood actually) for the grand opening of our first regional office, Northbound St. Louis, and was reminded that when you do the right things, for the right reasons, at the right time good things happen. When you add the right people to the mix great things happen! Believe me, great things are happening in St. Louis.
We launched Northbound St. Louis last July, took possession of our renovated office space in September, enhanced our service offerings by adding an Intensive Outpatient Program in October, and welcomed over 200 people to our open house last Thursday. Under the day-to-day leadership of industry veteran, Tib Albach, Northbound St. Louis has assembled a seasoned and talented group of professionals, and is quickly emerging as the regions leader in providing a needed and necessary range of high quality outpatient alcohol and drug dependency treatment services.
St. Louis is the perfect location for our initial foray outside of California. Why you ask! I’ll tell you why, Louie. The St. Louis community has a rich history regarding alcoholism treatment. From the days of the Edgewood and Exodus programs St. Louis has embraced quality treatment and supported the recovery community. There is great awareness of the impact of this disease on individuals, families, and communities, and St. Louis is home to the oldest annual AA banquet in the country. We couldn’t have found a better mid-west home!
Remember the 1944 musical film Meet Me In St. Louis?This is the film where Judy Garland debuts Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas which seems apropos since I’m writing this the week before Christmas. I’m amazed at my ability to tie all this together. Here’s what really amazing.
It’s amazing to watch people recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body; it’s amazing when loneliness is replaced with a sense of community and fellowship; it’s amazing when faith begins to trump fear; it’s amazing when the power of prayer is realized; it’s amazing when families begin to collectively heal; and it’s truly amazing when we realize that God’s greatest gifts are freely given to each and every one of us.
On behalf of the entire Northbound family I wish you great peace and joy this holiday season.
