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Advocacy Unlimited celebrates 45th graduation
honoring the 2010 New Britain Class
Another successful AU graduation was held Wednesday, December 15, 2010, honoring the graduating students of the 2010 New Britain Class. The ceremony was held at the Calvary Christian Center in New Britain. Led by AU Course Instructor Selina Welborn, this class was a very dedicated and compassionate group anxious to begin their journeys as AU Advocates. Their teamwork and comradery was more than evident in the heartwarming speeches each of them presented at the commencement ceremony as they told of their struggles with mental health and addiction issues and how each one of them had turned their lives around.
A group of friends, family, guests, AU staff, and fellow AU and RU graduates were present to honor and support the newest group of AU Graduates.
State Representative Tim O'Brien, 24th Assembly District, as this graduation's Keynote speaker, gave a very moving and well received message, commending the students for their hard work in successfully completing the 14-week curriculum and recognizing them as individuals dedicated to going beyond in helping others and giving back. DMHAS Director of Recovery Community Affairs Steve Fry also congratulated and commended the graduates, providing a powerful and entertaining speech on the importance of and need for advocacy, even giving the graduates a "pop quiz" from the podium (they passed!). These graduates will be tremendous assets to others in recovery!
As a very significant and meaningful gesture to the graduates, Representative O'Brien presented each of the graduates with a special framed citation from the Connecticut legislature, signed by legislators from their home districts as well as Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. Class instructor Selina Welborn then presented the students with their well earned Graduation Certificates.
AU is very grateful to Team Time Social Club for their graciousness and generosity in hosting the 14-week course. A big thank you goes out to Team Time Social Club Director Howard Freeman for his closing remarks at this commencement ceremony. Howard had a special connection with the graduates, encouraging them throughout the 14-week course and spoke of how proud he was of each one of them. Thank you, Howard!
Everyone present couldn't help being moved by this graduation. Following the ceremony, all were provided with a home cooked lunch, prepared by the graduating students!
62 AU courses and 45 graduations have been held throughout Connecticut since AU was founded. Eight of the courses have been offered in Spanish. More than 460 persons in recovery from psychiatric disabilities or co-occurring disorders have now graduated and become AU Advocates. More than 40 young adults have graduated from AU's Young Adult "Super Advocate" Program.
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