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Potlatch is a magical time for the students of WelcomeHome. The week prior, leadership plans every detail, from a skeleton crew to run the store, to what kind of chocolate will go on the smores. The excitement built up until we left the store early at 5 on Saturday and loaded the vans and one-ton truck full of supplies for the weekend.
 
We arrived at Horseshoe Bay and loaded up the water taxi. It was this moment the trip seemed real to me – and familiar – like I was going home. This was my second year at Potlatch.
 
When we hit land, we were greeted by the friendly staff of Camp Potlatch, some new faces, and some familiar ones that recognized us. We got settled into our cabins and the dinner bell rang. It was perfect- hotdogs, burgers, fries, and Darren’s Graduation dessert! Darren gave a speech and I reflected on all the time we have spent together.
 
The night ended with a campfire, more advancements, and then juicy smores. I helped put out the fire and crawled into my sleeping bag.
 
Day two we split up into groups to work on projects. We split firewood, made a rock climbing wall, did landscaping, and levelled out cabins and the water tower, and more. I learned some valuable skills and it felt good to help. Then we had some free time and I headed straight for the water with a kayak. When I am on the water I feel at peace with the world and myself.
 
Steak and chicken dinner, campfire, hot chocolate, bed.
 
Day three we wrapped up our projects and prepared for the journey home. We cleaned out our cabins, wrapped up our sleeping bags, and waited on the dock for the water taxi while getting some sun.
 
Out of all the things we’ve done a WelcomeHome, Potlatch is one of the most inspirational and eye opening. I asked myself, “Maybe I should volunteer there for a summer?”
 
Well, all the students would like to give a big thanks to everyone involved in helping make potlatch a wonderful sober memory. One I will never forget.
 

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In the big dig (the amenity building for the WelcomeHome Addiction Recovery Academy), concrete has been pouring into the footings while walls are being erected and steel placed in columns. A crane has been erected to assist in the ease of transportation of material and the excavators are out of the hole.

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To say that the evening of Sunday, April 21^st, 2013 was remarkable and extraordinarily memorable does not begin to do it “justice”. 100+ family, friends, students and WelcomeHome Directors and staff gathered at the brand new, Kent, WA, WelcomeHome campus to celebrate the graduation of three of our brothers from the WelcomeHome Life Skills Academy.
 

After dining on a broad assortment of dishes and desserts, the ceremony began.  There were tears of joy, laughter, stories that were shared that finally had overwhelmingly happy “endings”…and, yes, moving words by our founder and managing director, John Volken, as each graduate was presented with his diploma.
 

After an evening which included special music, it was difficult for the guests to slowly move out to their respective homes. The obvious common denominator displayed by all…a bright, glowing smile and heartfelt wave.
 

By Steve Dalton- CEO of WelcomeHome, Kent, WA

There are only a handful of events in my life that have changed the way I think, my outlook on the future, and the way I carry myself. Graduation was a night I will never forget. It is hard to put into words the raw emotion that I felt and experienced seeing three graduates give their testimony of this program and truly feeling the joy and relief their families witnessed knowing all three have the tools to change the world.  It gives me the strength and commitment to graduate someday myself and be able to inspire the younger brothers to continue on their journey. I am becoming a man of integrity and positivity and was blessed to be the first to greet guests as they arrived for graduation. I cannot remember a time in my life where I have felt so loved or laughed so hard with individuals I just met. We all work hard every day to change our lives, and seeing those three graduates complete this program validates that if they can do it then so can I.
 

By M- a WelcomeHome student

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We are excited to announce that WelcomeHome recently opened an addiction treatment centre in Gilbert, Arizona. The program director is Josh Smith, a graduate of WelcomeHome. Congratulations Josh!

We are also pleased to announce that the WelcomeHome Addiction Recovery Academy in Surrey is expanding with new retail and warehousing space for PricePro and a new campus for the program. The new facility will include a gymnasium, classrooms, computer lab, cafeteria, dormitories, and more!

Follow our weekly blog posts by Steve Minato, a graduate of WelcomeHome to stay updated on the building progress.

Construction Update #1 by Steve Minato
The addition to PricePro is well under way. The roofers are waiting for good weather to finish their job. As soon as the roofing is complete the drywall will be ready for installation since the steel studs and rough-in of the plumbing, sprinklers, and electrical have been ongoing throughout the rainy spring weather. The new WelcomeHome Addiction Recovery Academy campus grounds are under continuous digging with the form footings starting right behind them! A heads up…it will be a slow go until we reach ground level!

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By NEIL MCKEGANEY

Published on Wednesday 16 January 2013 00:00 in Scotsman.com

National policies need to be about reducing the impact of illegal drugs on Scotland, not initiatives that could result in their wider use, writes Neil McKeganey.

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Published: December 25, 2012 7:00 AM

Three women – two addicts and an addictions counsellor – write of the difference a new mindset can make.

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November 18th marked the graduation of two committed, determined brothers of the WelcomeHome Addition Recovery Academy program. The ceremony featured the WelcomeHome choir, reflections from the program directors and founder, as well as shared congratulations from their peers. Josh and Steve were joined by over 150 friends, family, and WelcomeHome supporters to celebrate their achievement – definitely an evening to remember!

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