Counting Our Blessings: Thanksgiving at Hope is Alive

Counting Our Blessings: Thanksgiving at Hope is Alive

Every year, the Thanksgiving season invites residents, mentors, staff, and supporters to pause and reflect on the journeys happening within our homes. For many, this time of year once brought loneliness or painful memories. Today, it marks new beginnings.

Gratitude Rooted in Transformation

Residents at HIA aren’t just trying to stay sober — they’re rebuilding their lives.

Simple routines like Bible studies, house meetings, mentoring, and working help residents create stability again. And with that stability comes gratitude, often for things they once took for granted such as:

• Waking up sober
• Having a safe place to live
• Feeling supported by peers
• Earning a paycheck

A Community That Builds Gratitude

One of the biggest blessings in HIA homes is the sense of family. Residents live in structured, gender-specific homes surrounded by people who understand their journey. Alumni and mentors — who are in long-term recovery themselves — show what’s possible in sobriety and speak hope into the lives of newer residents.

That environment naturally leads to gratitude. You hear it in conversations around the dinner table, in house meetings, and even in simple moments when someone says, “I couldn’t do this without you.”

Thankful for Recovery

At HIA, gratitude isn’t reserved for just one day in November — it’s part of the recovery journey. It shows up:

• When a resident gets their first job
• When a family member comes to visit
• When someone celebrates another month clean
• When a housemate offers encouragement on a hard day

These are the blessings we count, and they’re the reason we have so much to be thankful for at Thanksgiving!

So, are you ready to hear what our residents are thankful for this year? They’ve taken time to reflect on the moments and milestones that have meant the most to them this year, and we can’t wait to share with you how far they’ve come!

“The thing I’m most grateful for this year is my incredible housemates. From the moment I moved in, I knew I had found a supportive group of friends who genuinely care for me and seek to follow Christ together. It’s a true blessing to share a home with brothers united in sobriety, accountability, and love for Jesus.” —Perry Long 

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“For Thanksgiving, I’m grateful that I have a sober support system. I’m thankful for a good family that still loves and cares about me — I have someone who is willing to invite me to Thanksgiving and hang out with their family. I’m also grateful that I’ve been clean and sober for over a month, and I’m grateful that God has moved in ways in my life to keep me alive and protect me.” —Joshua Fine

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“This year, I’m most thankful for Jesus Christ and the mercy, love, and forgiveness that He blesses me and my family with.” —Amy Wheeler

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“I’m thankful that I get to spend time with my children during this Thanksgiving season. We are blessed to have a place to go and eat a great meal.” —Nichole Rocha 

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“This year, I’m thankful for my sobriety! I’m thankful for the countless blessings and people that the Lord has brought into my life. I’m grateful to not be in jail for the holidays and to actually be able to realize it’s the holidays! I’m so grateful for the joy I have been able to experience and the love that surrounds me.” —Heather Kane 

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“This year, I’m thankful for my sobriety, my relationship with God, for the women in my home, and Hope is Alive.” —Christina Griffin

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“I’m grateful for how much I have grown this last year, both spiritually and personally. I’m also grateful for the people who have been put in my life to support me through my growth and remind me that I’m worth it.” —Amanda Gentry 

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“I’m thankful for the HIA program, community, sobriety, everyone that pours into us ladies, my Lord Jesus, my family, and the opportunities that I receive daily. I’m also thankful for peace, my future, second chances, life, the promises God has given me, friendship, my job, and the breath in my lungs.” —Kristen Dean 

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“I’m thankful for forgiveness and second chances, people who uplift and stay positive, and God’s unwavering love.” —Patty Burkett 

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“This year, I’m thankful for the new, free life God is allowing me to live! I’m becoming a better person by learning more about the love God has for me. I’m grateful for being able to come back to HIA! I’m so grateful to be a part of this life-changing program, and I’m excited to finally become who God created me to be!” —Janell Miller 

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“I’m thankful for the wonderful opportunity HIA has given me to change my life and discover my true self. I’ve met so many wonderful people that have been so kind and welcoming, and I’m so thankful for each and every one of them.” —Echo (Elisabeth) Goodspeed

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“I’m grateful for the restoration happening within my family. Through my commitment to sobriety, healing has begun to happen through the people I love most. My family is finding Jesus, getting sober, and reuniting with each other. Watching God work in our lives fills me with gratitude and purpose.” —Josh Hulsey

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“I’m thankful for the brothers I have here at HIA. I’m thankful God led me here to this house at this time! And I’m thankful for the family restoration I’ve had since I’ve been here!” —Deric Denton

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“I'm grateful for my God that always loves me no matter what, my house brothers for always keeping me accountable, and this community for always showing love to a bunch of guys.” —Freddy Galvan

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“I’m thankful for the HIA logo on my chest and the reward of reconciliation with my family. I’m thankful for my dad, my two brothers, and my mom.” —Brandon Wilson

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“I’m thankful to be able to say I'm a father again.” —Brandon Garner

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“I’m grateful for…

The birds in the air and the grass at my feet,

Reminders of God’s presence in every heartbeat.

The peace in my spirit that His grace restores,

And my nephews’ joy echoing through open doors.

For the journey He’s led me on, steady and far

His mercy my compass, His love my North Star.”

—Joshua Dial

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“I’m thankful for a new chance at life. I'm thankful for HIA — for giving me the chance to get back on my feet. I'm thankful for my new relationship with God. I’m thankful for having a good job and the ability to have a job. I'm thankful to have a relationship with my family and my children. I'm thankful to have a car, and that I got my driver's license back.” —Kevin Watson

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“This year, I’m most thankful for the preparation my God is putting into me, including leadership summits, boot camp, studying the Word, listening to podcasts, taking lessons, but most importantly, prayer and meditation. The purpose He has for my life will be good, all the way down to the bone.” —Natasha Caine

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“This year, I'm most thankful that my relationship with God has strengthened so much. I'm so proud that I have already changed to become an obedient disciple of Christ and that my family is so proud of me.” —Holly Biggs

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“I’m grateful for my life and everything that has happened in my life that has led me to where I am. I’m grateful for the family and the friends God has brought into my life.” —Nathanael Bassoum

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“I’m most thankful for this year and for the new life God has led me to live. I’m thankful for my change of heart, mind, and outlook on life. I’m also thankful for the reconnection I have with my family and loved ones. The last thing I’m thankful for is my newfound family in Hope is Alive.” —Chad Dunnings

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“I’m most thankful for my newfound relationship with Jesus Christ. Since coming into Hope is Alive, I have found a home church, begun praying, and joined a group of Christian men who are chasing after God.” —Eli Jennings

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“I’m grateful for being in Hope is Alive, the opportunities I have had since coming into the program, and the second chance at life.” —Dustin Sanders

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“I’m thankful for Hope is Alive accepting me into the program. Without them, I would not be sober. I have hope now!” —Lance Taylor

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“This year, I’m thankful for God restoring my heart, faith, and mind, and for the blessings of restored relationships and a fresh start at life.” —Brian Webb

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“I’m so grateful for where God has put me — in this city, this house, this program. I’m truly beyond grateful for Hope is Alive and our amazing supporters.” —James Ashby

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“The thing I’m most grateful for is how HIA has helped me get closer to God. Unlike other programs, they helped me open a Bible instead of throwing it at me. Thank you, HIA!” —Mike Summers

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"This year, I’m most thankful for my newfound relationship with God. I’m also thankful for being able to come to HIA, which has given my family restoration and allowed me to now be able to see my kids again." —Jacob Bridges

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“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to see my children on Thanksgiving this year. I’m also grateful for HIA helping me become the mother my children deserve and the wife my husband deserves!” —Jessie Silver

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“This year, I'm most thankful for God's grace and HIA. I’m grateful for reconnecting with my family and all of my brothers in this program!” —James Wylie

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“This year, I’m most thankful for my brothers here at HIA and for the amazing community filled with loving supporters who continually love on us and help lift us up.” —William Watashe

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“This Thanksgiving is different. This is different because I’m able to understand more of what God’s blessings really can be. I’ve been able to mend personal and familial relationships as well as grow family within HIA. Recovery has made me feel more joy for the holidays and a more prosperous future.” —Jimmy Crable

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“Since coming to Hope is Alive, I have found a career, restored my relationship with my family, and become a member of my church. I have grown closer to Jesus than I could have ever imagined. I’m thankful for the amazing opportunities to become the man I have always wanted to be through Christ and this program.” —Mike Boris

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“December 5th will be 6 months here at HIA, and it's the best thing that has happened to me in 49 years. This is my first sober living house, and I’m so grateful it is Christ-centered because that's what I needed in my life. To the Lang family, to my PM, and to my sponsor, I’m grateful. I love every one of my brothers here. Before every transformation, there is darkness, and I definitely went from the darkness to the light. Thanks be to the Lord and HIA!” —Dwayne Summers

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“This year, I have more to be thankful for than ever before. First, I'm thankful for my relationship with Jesus — the One who's given me a joy I can't even fully explain. He's carried me, changed me, and given me hope again. I'm also grateful for the men and women at HIA who are truly sold out and who continue to support me on this journey. Their love and encouragement mean more than they know. I'm thankful that I get to be a dad again — sober, present, and becoming the man my child deserves. That alone is one of the biggest blessings in my life. And lastly, I'm thankful simply to be alive... to have a clear mind, a healthy body, and a future I can actually look forward to. Thank you, Jesus. And thank you, HIA, for believing in me.” —Harrison Moore

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“I’m grateful for so many things this year: the grace of my leaders, the fellowship in the community around me, being able to have all my debt paid off, new job opportunities, and a continuously growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” —Mason Amelunke

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“I’m grateful for HIA! I’m grateful for my family and being sober and all the men in the house and the community.” —Levi Mann

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“I’m grateful for the peace and joy God has granted me during this time in recovery. I’m grateful that I have a happy and healthy relationship with my family.” —Garret Daniel

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“I’m grateful for all my kids being back together, being a father and not just a dad, and my business growing and being successful by the grace of God.” —Brandon Stevens 

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“I’m extremely grateful for my sobriety, for the friends I have in my life today, and for the relationship I have with my higher power.” —Ethan Winfield

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“I’m grateful that Jesus found me and saved me from the darkness I was living in. He is the cornerstone of my recovery and the foundation I’m building a new life on. Through Him, I’m a new creation and my heart is full of gratitude.” —Lauren Mullins

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“I’m thankful first to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my source of hope and strength. I’m grateful for my husband, my family, and the true friends who loved me through everything. And I’m thankful for HIA — more than a program, it’s a family that loves, laughs, and grows with me. Even while I’m apart from my biological family, God is in control, and hope is alive.” —Kerri Toups

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“I’m thankful for my family, my sobriety, and my new life in Christ!” —Victor Garcia

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“I’m beyond grateful for the work God has done in my and my family’s lives!” —Aaron Spain

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“I’m grateful for getting to see my son weekly, when months ago, he didn’t even recognize me.” —Michael Page

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“I’m thankful for my sobriety, a relationship with Christ, and Hope is Alive for helping me radically change my life.” —Patrick Mahr

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“I’m grateful for the brothers in the home plus all the support and love we receive from our supporters.” —Chase Anderson