Finding Sobriety and Salvation
T.J. Grau, 62, has struggled with alcoholism since she was 12 years old, but the retired emergency room nurse and former volunteer firefighter and EMT believes it’s never too late for a second chance.
After being hospitalized for alcoholism, T.J. found herself at The Salvation Army’s Haven of Hope, a Mental Health Respite (MHR) facility on Fontenelle Boulevard. “I never found the right program…until now,” she said. “I didn’t know The Salvation Army had programs like this.”
MHR is a short-term residential program that offers psychiatric stabilization, counseling, resources and life skills training to men and women age 19 and older in order to help them transition to independent living.
While enrolled in MHR, T.J. met Capt. Kevin Robbins, chaplain at the Omaha Citadel Corps, who introduced her to Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step program that meets twice a week at the Citadel Corps.
“Alcoholism can happen to anyone – a police officer, a judge, a nurse – not just someone who is down on their luck,” said Capt. Kevin. “In this process, we’ve learned from T.J. and she’s learned from us. From the first time I met her, I knew she was a candle in the darkness.”
Nine months sober and eagerly anticipating her one-year sobriety anniversary, T.J. is healthy, living independently again and pursuing her passion for abstract painting.
“This program and this church have been my salvation,” she said.
For more information about the MHR program, please call 402-505-8243. For more information about Celebrate Recovery, please call 402-553-569, ext. 4.