A Celebration of Rehab and Recovery
This past month, I was invited to attend the 10th anniversary of Confidential Recovery and the launch of Veterans Navigation Center. The event took place at the offices of the organization, located at the Eagle’s Nest Building at 4420 Hotel Circle Court in Mission Valley. The event was extremely well attended by donors, board members, staff from various elected officials, special guests and alumni of the organization.
During the evening the staff of Confidential Recovery and the Veterans Navigation Center received numerous proclamations, from the County of San Diego, City of San Diego and a Congressional office. Sheriff Bill Gore spoke to the guests of the event, sharing his great respect for those in charge of the operation.
One of the reasons I was interested in attending the event is because I am very familiar with Scott Silverman, who is CEO and founder of Confidential Recovery, and who started Second Chance in 1993, which was created to help people stay sober, get work and leave the social service loop. This would also be accomplished with housing and job opportunities.
In 1997 Silverman broadened participation to helping those released from prison rebuild their lives. Based upon a comparable program in Harlem, Second Chance began offering an intensive two-week class with a curriculum. Those who graduated and remained clean and sober received assistance with housing and important life skills’ guidance. As they earned money, they would pay rent or find new housing and continue on their way to self-sufficiency.
Second Chance grew. It received increased private funding, referrals from probation and parole officers and support from businesses willing to hire participants. By 2003, Second Chance graduated about 700 participants. By 2008, it had 45 employees (32 of whom were former inmates) and owned nine properties, including residential, that was staffed by former inmates.
Today, Second Chance is well-known as a respected and effective program. Among its board of directors are prominent community leaders, including San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. It’s stated mission is “to disrupt cycles of incarceration and poverty by helping people find their way to self-sufficiency.”
Silverman, who left Second Chance in 2010, has won various recognitions for his role in creating the nonprofit, including a CNN “Hero” award.
Most satisfying to Silverman is the feeling that he made a mark in helping people help themselves.
Silverman has served on eight nonprofit boards of directors, appears regularly on television, conducts a podcast and has written two books. His latest, “The Opioid Epidemic.”
He says no one should avoid these three words: “I need help.”
According to Confidential Recovery’s website, they provide help for individuals challenged by addiction (alcohol, opioid, fentanyl and opiate). Clients receive highly confidential treatment in a safe environment where they can address their challenges and learn skills to manage the everyday stressors that make recovery difficult.
The Veterans Navigation Center was established to help veterans, first responders, and their families transition from active duty to being stable and healthy members of the society they have served so nobly. The program connects veterans with expert case managers familiar with the complex landscape of veteran benefits to assist in obtaining resources.
That evening, as I spoke to some of the people who were alumni of Confidential Recovery, I could sense their familiarity with the staff and quality of care that they were provided. It became obvious that the alumni and contributors felt a sense of pride for their accomplishments, working together to improve the lives of those “in need of help.”
To learn more about Veterans Navigation Center, visit www.veteransnavigationcenter.org. And for information on Confidential Recovery, visit www.confidentialrecovery.com.
Category: Authors, Donations, Events, feature, Health & Fitness, Homeless, Local News, Nonprofit
