W
olfe Street Journal
Winter 2015-2016
Still carrying the message...
Founded in 1982, the Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc. is fully funded through private contributions. Patronage is vital to our mission of love and service. Several levels of giving are available. Please help us continue to provide a meeting place, education and prevention programs and fellowship center for Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups. Take a minute to join us. We need you. See page 2 to become a Patron of the Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc. or visit our website.
www.wolfestreet.org
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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Experience, Strength, and Hope I thought I was searching for serenity, but I was running from reality I was born to post WW II parents. My father died when I was nine. My mother went off to work. Thus began my “feral years”. It was the late sixties. Crosby , Stills, Nash, revolution and Vietnam were all in the air. Walter Cronkite reported the war to me. I was young, feral and most generally alone. I started drinking at age 11. I drank alcoholically from the git go. I found a release from the puzzle incubating in my brain and I liked that. Survival would additionally involve marijuana in a baggy and bell bottom jeans in a department store. Nine years later...off to college which imposed even less supervision. I somehow moderated my alcohol consumption to just weekends and found it fairly easy to make good grades. I felt a glimmer of hope for the first time so I went to medical school. Again I tempered my consumption and made M.D. Residency and marriage followed. My drinking required mindful timing. My beeper and my wife both frequently made annoying noises. I entered private practice and kept drinking after work.. Following a visit with my family they were concerned enough to write a letter to a recovering physician and he introduced me to A.A. I did well for a bit, yet I was angry at being “outed “ by my family. I stiffened my neck, bowed up my ego and pressed on drinking. There were numerous opportunities to stop over the following years. I was in denial and would only partially conform to “rigorous honesty”. The misery grew exponentially in me, my wife and my work. Then a series of amazing and curious events befell me. The State Medical Board revoked my license for a “hot” drug screen, my wife filed for divorce and my finances were encumbered by the IRS. Bewildered I went off to treatment in disgrace. In treatment I discovered me. Actually I was introduced to “King Baby” me. Me at 50 years old; egocentric, lonely, isolated, obnoxious, ultra sensitive, immature, sarcastic and extremely angry. Deep down I still KNEW I wasn’t an alcoholic and I wasn’t ready to surrender anyway. It would take several more years of drinking, arrests, loss of income and reputation and declining health before I was willing to turn off the “ass kicking” machine called “Me”. I was both totally done and undone with/by alcohol. I surrendered. I was finally broken. Starting again I sought God. I now can accept who I was/am/ wasn’t. I got truly honest with a sponsor, volunteered myself often and prayed, really prayed on my knees. I thus began to seek an alternate source of power to redirect me. This has resulted in an inkling of serenity. I have stopped running from my painful and disturbing past. I have heard a saying which is apropos here; I used to think it was preferable to live on my feet rather than die on my knees...Now, I believe it is better to live on my knees than to die on my feet. Tom W.
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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Wolfe Street Center Patron Name_______________________ Address_____________________ City, State___________________ Email:
Check category and payment method. Corporate or Personal Sponsorship _____ $2000 or more annually Benefactor Patron _____ $1000 annually
In Memoriam
_____ $83.33 per month Patron _____ $750 annually
Frances Williams Sarah Connell
_____ $62.50 per month Supporting Patron _____ $500 annually _____ $41.67 per month
The greatest enemies to us alcoholics are jealousy, envy, resentment, frustration and fear. Big Book-pg. 145
Voting Patron _____ $240 annually _____ $20.00 per month Participating Patron _____ $60 annually
_____ $5 per month Friends of Wolfe Street _____ Amount is optional
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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The Al-anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
Even tho ’the gear inside me which switches from my control to that of my Higher Power may not be often used, it never gets rusty nor malfunctions. After 20 years in Alanon, I am still learning. Recently because of health reason, my family and I decided I would go to live with an older daughter and family. in a Midwestern state temporarily. There this female in her 70s whose career was in the health field, found herself obediently swallowing a mixture of blood pressure pills that the 19 year old writer granddaughter prepared. Even in my semi-lucid state, I was surprised at the willing loss of control that I had allowed. Later, unable to walk on one leg, I had to resort to being transported for a day on a shiny red dolly. Leaning back at a very scary angle, I again had to trust new people with my life!, two teenagers to keep me upright and safe. In both cases, I survived, grew in amazed faith, and thanked the God of my understanding that somehow I had briefly shed my self-sufficiency and had become a member of God’s team. Today’s Reminder: Daily reading of our literature reminds my heart of a Power within me ever eager to ease my burdens and grant me peace. -Gail V. “…..Lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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Donate in honor of a friend or loved one to the Serenity Garden at the Wolfe Street Center Since the move to 1015 Louisiana there were few places outside for sponsors and sponsees to speak with one another for the “meeting after the meeting”. Most stood in the parking lot or had to go elsewhere. The Serenity Garden with your help provides a most pleasant outdoor area to visit and for quiet reflection and prayer. Located on the southwest corner of the building, a beautiful landscape has been planted with benches and tables. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Visit the bookstore or go to www.wolfestreet.org to make a donation. Come sit in the garden for a while. It’s a wonderful experience.
Consider purchasing an etched brick to honor your sponsor or a loved one.
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
10 am - 4 pm Wolfe Street Center Holiday Open House
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Movies ׀Football ׀Games and Food Christmas & New Year’s Day Meetings 6:45am ׀Noon ׀5:30pm ׀7pm Please know you are welcome! Please bring snacks. Utensils and drinks (non alcoholic of course) provided. Help setup, tend tables, and clean up.
5..4..3..2..1! New Year’s Eve Fellowship Meetings and celebration at the Wolfe Street Center 6:45am OD Noon OD 5:30pm CD 7:00pm OD Birthday Night 9pm Potluck Downstairs 10:30 pm OD Midnight OD Please bring snacks and desserts
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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Barry Brandt, Channel 7’s Meteorologist will emcee the Little Rock Gala February 28th at Chenal Country Club. Tickets $150. Help keep the doors open and the lights on. To be on the Invitation List call 372-5662
@redcarpetLR
Red Carpet LR
wolfestreet.org 501.372.5662
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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From: Markey Ford To: All who have felt the warmth of recovery at the Wolfe Street Center and continue to walk together. This holiday season brings with it a “goodbye” as I step away as Executive Director of the Wolfe Street Foundation. The last ten years have provided excitement, growth, gratitude and incredible satisfaction. Thanks to HP, the efforts of thousands of friends including members of the board, patron members and hundreds of friends giving back what was so freely given to them the center is healthy, debt-free and on a solid foundation. Outreach projects have evolved, for example with Hazelden Publishing and author William Borchert putting together Gene W.’s notes as he prepared for the Sunday Morning Hour of Power meeting. Sought Through Prayer and Meditation is sold on Amazon, in bookstores around the world and in the Wolfe Street Bookstore. Royalties arrive quarterly. Having been chosen as one of the nonprofits in LR to participate in the Annual Greek Food Festival helps financially and is a great time for the “friends of Wolfe Street” to wear their black aprons and be a part of the community. Those who want to perpetuate the foundation, donate to the endowment fund WSF has with the Arkansas Community Foundation. It’s a nest egg to help guarantee the future of the center. There is a 3-6 month prudent reserve to help during lean times of the year. Not long ago the meeting after the meeting took place standing in the parking lot! That has been remedied this year with the development of the Serenity Garden with over $16,000 in grants, donations and memorials. (see page 4) We were left with big shoes to fill as our founders one by one, left for the Big Meeting in the sky. The roll about chalk board Joe McQ worked off of at the Monday Night Step Meeting is still used at workshops. Our foundation birthplace at 12 th and Wolfe, built in 1913 was truly falling apart and we relocated to what has been affectionately termed, “the Louisiana Purchase” following a 3 year $1.5 million dollar Capital Campaign Drive. Securing all efforts is the collection of written procedural manuals covering all aspects of the internal mechanics regarding The Wolfe Street Foundation. At the core of Wolfe Street Center at 10th and Louisiana, are over forty AA and Alanon meetings weekly. We have a lot of activity including workshops for everyone interested, plays, trainings and seminars offering CEUs to professionals; WSF provided over 800 hours of education focusing on prevention, talent show, holiday festivities with lots of food and just good clean fun for those in recovery in Central Arkansas. All of this 100% privately funded. Contributions allowing for this are from fundraisers (33%) Bookstore sales (22%), annual gifts by patrons including memorials (16%), Grants and Gifts through wills and estates (12%), group rent (10%) and Endowment Fund donations (7%). The sum is much bigger than these individual parts. *most recent annual figures In a word Wolfe Street is all about Service. The volunteer staff, Board of Directors, Patrons and the general community have joined together to make these accomplishments exceptional. We walked together though each challenge with smile and our efforts have been blessed as they will continue to be blessed. Not only have the last ten+ years been gratifying and enjoyable, more importantly these years resulted in watching thousands of individuals come back to life. We accomplished what we felt God wanted us to do by living within our means by developing and working with a reasonable budget continuing to keep the lights on and the doors open to carry the message – just as it was for us when we arrived broken and lost. The message is “we have recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body.” If you want what we have, do what we do. Don’t drink. Come back tomorrow. Get a sponsor. Work the steps. Go to meetings. Carry the message by walking the walk. It is my hope to pass this gift along to those with vision, fresh ideas and the important commitment of giving back to the WSF, where miracles happen every day and we are all in! The Wolfe Street Foundation has given me a spiritual family. I step away leaving a piece of my heart behind, taking with me gratitude for the gift I’ve been given to love and work with an amazingly diverse community. As a new person walks through the doors of the Wolfe Street Center seeking help, we know how they feel. We’ve been where they are. The Wolfe Street Center will continue to offer a safe place of hope for all who enter and hope to recover from the disease of alcohol addiction and all who are affected. In closing, I am grateful to so many for making Wolfe Street a spiritually focused and fiscally sound center for growth in the recovery community. As the coming year brings fresh efforts from a new Director I feel confident that Wolfe Street will thrive. This family is alive, healthy and growing. God bless you and keep you in this work as together we trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. Yours in the fellowship,
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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When you’re going through hell…...keep going -Winston Churchill
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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WSF Search Committee seeks Executive Director The Wolfe Street foundation, a 501c-3 corporation, is seeking applicants for Executive Director. The Foundation has served the Little Rock recovery community since 1982. Its purpose is to provide a meeting place for those seeking recovery from their addition to alcohol, for families and others affected by this addiction and education and prevention programs. Salary will be based on experience.
Applicants should have experience with non-profit organizations and have a good understanding of financial statements and presentations. While not required, familiarity with alcoholism would be a plus. Interested applicants should send their resume and references by 12-20-2015 to: by e-mail: alfred.williams@bxsi.com subject: WSF ED or by US mail: Alfred L. Williams, ATTN Search Committee, Wolfe Street Foundation, P.O. Box 251510 Little Rock, AR 72225
Mission Statement The Mission of the Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc. is to provide facilities for support groups faithful to the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and to develop and implement programs aimed toward education and prevention for those persons interested in recovery from addictions and to their families as they relate to alcoholism. The Wolfe Street Center is owned and operated by the Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc. The Foundation is a non-profit, charitable corporation governed by a 12 member board which is not associated with Alcoholics Anonymous or any of its branch organizations in any form. The Wolfe Street Foundation, Inc. through its Board of Directors, reserves the right to set and enforce certain rules of conduct for any and all persons who enter the Wolfe Street Center and its property.
Board of Directors President Thomas J. Kelly Jr., PhD Vice President Alfred Williams Treasurer Anthony Michael Secretary Colin Jorgensen Jo Blankenship Jack Browne Sarah Cearley Tricia Chaffin Kay Fisher John Giblin, MD Jennifer Jones Donna Skulman Lloyd Joseph Mahony Jessica Middleton-Kurylo Advisory Board Rick Adkins Nancy Kumpuris Kathy Gwatney Hardison Executive Director Markey Ford
Winter 2015-2016
Wolfe Street Journal
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Meetings @ Wolfe Street Center AA Sunday Breakfast 8:30-9:30 AM $5 SUNDAY 7:30AM OD Hour of Power 9:00AM Meditation 10:00AM 11th Step/OD- Hour of Power 5:30 PM OD Happy Hour 5:30 PM OD Pig Pen YPG 7:00 PM New Beginnings /O-120 ½ MONDAY 6:45AM OD Hour of Power NOON OD Brown Bag 1:00PM OD Little Rock Women 5:30PM CD Happy Hour 7:00PM OBBS Pig Pen YPG 8:00PM OSS Dunbar TUESDAY 6:45AM OD Hour of Power NOON OD Brown Bag 5:30PM CD Happy Hour 7:00PM CD 120 ½
WEDNESDAY 6:45AM OD NOON OS 5:30PM CD 7:30-9PM CBB THURSDAY 6:45AM OD NOON OD 5:30PM CD 8:00PM OS FRIDAY 6:45AM OD NOON OD 5:30PM CD 8:00PM OD 10:00PM OD SATURDAY 7:30AM OD 1:00PM CD 5:30PM OD 8:00PM OS 10:00PM OD
Lunch Noon-1 $5 Hour of Power Dunbar Happy Hour Big Book Study Hour of Power Brown Bag Happy Hour 120 ½ Hour of Power Brown Bag Happy Hour Y.E.S. Group Last Chance Hour of Power Rebos Happy Hour Big Meeting Last Chance
Al-Anon MONDAY 5:30PM TUESDAY 9:30AM 12x12
Name of Group Happy Hour AFG
THURSDAY 5:30PM
Al-Anon Step Study
T-N-T-AFG
FRIDAY 5:30PM
Happy Hour AFG
11:00 AM
Wolfe Street AFG
Group Liaison Reps meet at 5:30 on the 2nd Thursdays of February, April, June, August, October & December.
bookstore@wolfestreetfoundation.org
(501) 372-5662 ▪ Fax (501) 375-7949
1015 Louisiana—P. O. Box 3708 Little Rock, AR 72203
FOUNDATION
WOLFE STREET U.S. POSTAGE PAID
NON-PROFIT ORG.