By Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO, Hanley Foundation
At Hanley Center, it’s more than a meeting; Fellowship Friday is a sanctuary of courage, stories, and shared triumphs.
At the end of every week at Hanley Center, something extraordinary unfolds. It doesn’t happen behind closed doors or within the structured confines of a therapy session, and no textbook or treatment plan can fully capture it. It happens in plain view, surrounded by patients, staff, families, and alumni. We call it Fellowship Friday.
This weekly tradition may not appear on any clinical checklist, but it is central to our mission of healing the whole person. Fellowship Friday is where stories are shared, milestones are celebrated, relationships are strengthened, and recovery comes alive in the voices of those living it.
A Space for New Beginnings
Fellowship Friday begins with a moment that is at once nerve-wracking and profound. New patients stand to introduce themselves, often trembling, still feeling the lingering effects of withdrawal. They say their name, where they’re from, and sometimes a single sentence about why they’re here. For a brief, breathtaking instant, you could hear a pin drop.
In that silence, courage is palpable. These individuals are facing their fears, stepping into the unknown, and connecting not just with their clinical team but with the entire Hanley recovery community. The walls of isolation and shame built by addiction begin to crumble. In that room, newcomers learn an unshakable truth: they are not alone. They are surrounded by people who care, who believe in their strength, and who will walk with them every step of the way.
Honoring Transitions and Growth
Equally powerful are the moments when patients who are discharging or stepping down to a lower level of care take the stage. There is often a hush as the room waits, rapt with attention. These individuals share the hard truths they’ve faced, the victories they’ve achieved, and the plans they’re making to continue building a life in recovery. Tears are common, applause inevitable, and the energy in the room is electric with hope. Their stories are living proof that change is not only possible, it is happening here, every single day.
The Power of Family and Alumni Voices
Family members who attend our Family Program are invited to speak as well. Parents, spouses, and siblings reflect on what they’ve learned, the bridges they’ve rebuilt, and the healing they’ve witnessed. Their voices remind everyone that recovery doesn’t just belong to the person struggling with addiction, it belongs to the entire family system.
Alumni also return to Fellowship Friday with a powerful presence. They share their “experience, strength, and hope,” offering encouragement to those still finding their footing. Their participation reinforces Hanley Center’s lifelong approach to care: recovery doesn’t end with discharge; it continues through service, connection, and giving back. Their stories are both a roadmap and a beacon, illuminating the path forward.
Why It Matters
At Hanley Center, treating the whole person means nurturing a sense of belonging. Fellowship Friday embodies that philosophy: a place where courage is celebrated, vulnerability is met with compassion, and the journey of recovery is shared openly and authentically.
Hearing “you’re not alone” is one thing. Feeling it, amid the claps, the shared smiles, the nods of understanding, is entirely different. It happens in a room where a first step, a 45th day, or a courageous return to share a story resonates deeply, rippling through everyone present.
In a world that too often stigmatizes addiction and sidelines recovery, Fellowship Friday stands as a sanctuary, a living celebration of connection, courage, and community. It is a moment, every week, where hope is tangible, and the promise of transformation is real.
Hanley Center has been helping people all over the country achieve wellness for more than 40 years. In addition to providing age- and gender-specific treatment for substance use and co-occurring disorders, Hanley offers a Patriots Initiative for first responders and veterans, a program specifically for pregnant women, and a boutique residential mental health program for adults. For information on our programs, call us today: 561-841-1033.
