Don Ellerbe
L.C.D.C
Bio:
During my 5th attempt at Treatment I met an Atheist, whom I believed needed to know about GOD. The Spiritual experience of realizing that I was able to help someone else, changed my life, I felt a "PART OF SOMETHING" not apart from. When I left treatment (that time) I went to a Sober-House, instead of going home & that forced me to be self-supporting. As an Ex-con with He
p-(C), Heart & Lower back problems, it was difficult to find a job. But GOD sent a Representative from Americorp to our Sober-house & he ask me if I wanted to become a Teacher, I responded by saying "I can't even Spell Teacher" & as he shook my hand he said, "Come on I'll show you how"... I completed my year in the Literacy field, where I taught ESL & GED classes. During that time I realized that if I wanted to continue this new way of life & stay Sober, I really had to do what I could help others. As an Americorp member they took me to a seminar on how to start Mentoring programs for children, the lady giving the presentation was using an Apple as a prop, she would cut it & place seeds about the table to represent starting new children's program around the wold. When she finished she asked for question & (not thinking) I stood up in from of about 250 people & introduced myself as an Alcoholic/Addict & ask her if this process would work for Adults in Recovery? She leaned over her podium, put one hand on her hip, the other under her chin & stated that she had been married to a guy that had tried to Recovered 5 times, that NO Mentoring program would help THOSE people. As a slithered back down into my seat, I thought we are "Bruised Apples" not Bad Apples & that is how the program got it's name. 6 weeks latter I had 8 teams of addicts helping each other study for their GED's & the 1 "WE" did help failed at her first attempt, but went on to pursue a career as a nurse....Today we Hope that YOU will let US Help YOU HELP OTHERS.
832.512.0355
