Prodigals Community Step Up services are always joyful occasions but this spring’s Step Up was made even more joyful by the record number of graduates. Nearly 200 people – alumni, current residents, and caring, supportive family members and volunteers – gathered in the Prodigals Community Sanctuary on Monday, May 1st, to celebrate the completion of the New Salem program by Gary B., Erik B., Thad D., Vickie M., Joe P., Bob T., Kathy T. and Erin W. Also recognized at the service were current residents receiving monthly awards.

Board chairperson Patty Poole welcomed those attending and congratulated the new graduates on their remarkable accomplishments. Board member Clyde Fitzgerald addressed the graduates and congratulated them on their success, and, referring to statements made by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about how people affect lives, reminded them to care about themselves and about others, particularly those who need their help. After he spoke, Board and staff members presented certificates of completion to the new alumni, and Kim Kennedy, Education Coordinator, presented the spring scholarship award to Kathryn J., a 2004 spring graduate. Kathryn will continue her education in computer technology at Winston-Salem State University. Scholarships are made possible by the donations given during Step Up services and by a generous gift from the Micah Foundation. The Prodigals Community Gospel Choir provided special music. Graduates took time to introduce their families and to thank them for their support and love. Dulin United Methodist Church provided a wonderful reception following the service.

Harriet R., an alumna, wrote the following about the evening."This is something we had never done before and it moved the group in a whole different level. The excitement grew as the Alumni planned this event in hope of others returning to participate in lives being renewed. There was the excitement of family, friends, churches, younger brothers and sisters in the program and people who supported a lot of the alumni coming together in fellowship. There was the sound of the music written by Neil Maxey and sung by the alumni group and the first Executive Director, Jeff Coppage. Jeff Coppage was made an Honorary Alumni member that night. There was laughter, tears and lots of emotion moving around the room. There was a lot to be excited about, such as: the clean time, what kind of job an alumni member has been able to get, what things are occurring now, getting to know the younger brothers and sisters. There are about eighty Prodigals Community Alumni members including active and inactive.

Our mission is to support mentally, physically and emotionally "up and coming" brothers and sisters who complete the program. We also extend a helping hand to the Prodigals Community program as RA’s, church support, meeting support, interns, VOE’s, singing with the choir, the buddy program, and for the Christmas Program. We are extended members of the Prodigals Community Program and we wanted our younger brothers and sisters to know ‘miracles do happen’."

Our board is composed of people who are passionate about Prodigals Community and are totally committed to your success and the success of all who enter the program.

I’ve worked personally with Prodigals residents as a board member and as a client of Prodigals Property Services. I’ve personally observed the progress and success of these eight people. While this is my third Step Up service as a board member, it’s the first time that all of the graduates started and completed the program during my tenure on the Board. It’s a joyous occasion for me, my colleagues on the board, the staff, all Prodigals alumni and your family and friends to see that each of you has successfully completed the Prodigals program. We are all very proud of you. You deserve to be proud of yourselves.

At Prodigals Community you learned that you’re not alone in your struggle. Here you found unconditional love, heart-felt compassion, the close bond of community, a staff that sincerely cares about you and views you as a person or worth—a child of God. Many of you also renewed your personal relationship with God—a loving God who has saved you...again. And for that I say...Hallelujah!

Early in your stay at Prodigals Community, each of you said many times in various ways that you felt like a loser. In response, each of you was told that you were born to win—but in order to become a winner, you must plan to win and prepare to win. Only then can you legitimately expect to win. Prodigals Community has helped you do this. Now, through the caring of the Prodigals Community, your perseverance and God’s merciful love, you’re all winners! And never forget that.

You have turned failure into success. And I want you to know that I truly believe that success can never be measured by bank balances. Money measures only prosperity. Success is a matter of character. Each of you has demonstrated your true character by overcoming your personal demons and turning your life around.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said many great things. One of those statements, in my opinion, directly relates to Prodigals. He said that communities affect lives. And people affect lives. Every morning you look in the mirror, you’re looking at the person who can make the biggest difference in your life and in your community. The greatest human force on this earth is caring people.

I fully agree with Dr. King. So, care about yourself. Care about your loved ones. And especially care about the people who need your help but don’t know how to ask for it.

I challenge you to seek excellence in all you do every day and never be satisfied with anything less—in yourself and in those who count on you.

I also challenge you to become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know and commit yourslef to constant self-improvement.

A very wise man once said that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. Let this be one of those life-changing moments for you. Cherish the joy you feel right now! Let it be your beacon to safe harbor in the difficult times you may face in the future.

Congratulations! And may God continue to bless each one of you.

The Prodigals Community Alumni Group was formed in the fall of 1995 in the fall by four program graduates—two from New Salem and two from the halfway house program. We wanted to give something back to the program because we felt we had received so much. We wanted to help our "up and coming" brothers and sisters by sharing our experience, strength and hope and helping them build a network of recovery.

In getting together we weren’t sure what to expect or how to make it work. We have the same tools and integrity the Prodigals Community program taught us. As we continued, we found out that we lacked a lot but we also had a lot to offer. Alumni members try to make good decisions but we know that doesn’t always happen. We’ve been able to help alumni with traveling expenses, car notes, rent, medications and bills. We have supported some staff during sickness and we provide Christmas gifts for the children of residents in the program.

In 2004, we changed our name to Prodigals Community Alumni Association, Inc. We have a chairperson, assistant chair, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary, Prodigals Community liaison, and an emergency team of four people able to make quick decisions concerning alumni members. Dues are $5.00 a month. We try to keep other alumni involved by sending out minutes to as many alumni as we can. Our goal is to get enough active members that we can form a board and continue to grow and meet the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters. We have good times and bad times, but we are still here and we are still growing.

In 2004, we formed a buddy program to help New Salem residents nearing program completion with the transition to independent living. For the past two years we have also presented workshops on recovery issues for residents in the program.

The most meaningful event we’ve ever had was our ten year celebration. It was very powerful and very emotional. We hope that other alumni will join us in our endeavors.  

Spotlight on Volunteers

Spring is the time we associate with big cleaning and building projects around our homes, and life in a residential community is no different. Prodigals Community has been blessed this spring in having several mission groups from local churches help with building and landscaping projects. A team from Jefferson Church of Christ, led by Keith Kiger, came on Saturday, April 29th, to work with residents on putting a much-needed new roof on our garage. On May 6th, teams from two churches were at New Salem to help with a variety projects. The RAs and their parents from Ardmore Baptist Church, under the leadership of Billy Oakes, put down more than three truckloads of mulch, and planted begonias and impatiens all around our campus. Members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, led by Cheryl Ann Sexton, planted our large vegetable garden, helped with the mulching, and replaced decking on the front porch of Prodigals’ alumni house on Sunnyside Avenue. Mars Hill College’s New Beginnings Singers came to sing at the worship service on May 8th, but first spent the afternoon patiently weeding, mulching and planting in our prayer garden. Their visit to Prodigals was organized by Susan Beane, our 2005 BSU summer intern, and a member of the Singers who recently graduated from the college.

Other groups who have recently greatly enriched our worship include Shiloh from Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Wake Forest’s Living Parables and One Accord, and several choirs from Calvary Baptist Church—Youth Ensemble, Girls Ensemble and the Middle School Choir.

Our gratitude goes also to the Evangelism and Discipleship Committee and all the members of Home Moravian Church for sponsoring and supporting a Lenten Pancake breakfast to benefit Prodigals Community. Everyone had a great time and the event raised significant support for Prodigals ministry.