Yoni S.
Class of December ‘08
Yoni S., accompanied by alumni Pat M. and Louis L., visited here on a Saturday to hang out with Betton House students and staff.
Before arriving here, Yoni was heavily into drug use, didn’t go to school, partied habitually and had a bad relationship with his family.
He was enrolled on September 26 of ’06, and was put into Family One with Mike and Robin Ducey. At first, Yoni struggled tremendously with being away from home and hated the rules here, and it wasn’t too long before he landed on many sanctions and blackouts.
After some time, Mike Ducey switched Yoni’s sponsor to Tommy Cummings. With a little willingness, Yoni started to work with him. Through taking direction from Cummings and other staff and students, he began to turn a new leaf. He stuck with the winners and soon was given an RA pin and fully received the benefits.
Yoni graduated in December of ’08. When he left, he experienced a time of loneliness and misery, but quickly jumped into AA, got a temporary sponsor and a home group, and took direction. “I can only live on life’s terms,” he said. Now, Yoni attends Hunter College and goes to meetings regularly. “To the June graduate: take direction and be open to other people and what they tell you.”
