CLIENT SUCCESS STORY: ROSALYN THOMAS

LIFE ON CAMPUS

Today Rosalyn Thomas is a newly married woman with a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and an associate degree in applied sciences. Her daughters were bridesmaids in her wedding, and they respect, trust, and cherish their mother. However, Rosalyn does not take any of this for granted.

In August 2011, Rosalyn came to Nexus for the third time because she was on the verge of destroying her relationship with her adult children. They warned that if she did not make a significant and lasting change, they would cut all ties with her.

On the day she arrived at Nexus – her third attempt at rehab – Rosalyn weighed approximately 93 pounds and had about five items with her. She remembers feeling so grateful that Nexus accepted her back into the Adult Women Residential Program and that her counselor, Deborah Castillo, was so understanding and compassionate.

When asked what was different this time, Rosalyn says she listened and she surrendered completely. She had always been a big talker, but this time she listened to her counselor and the people facilitating groups. This time, she worked her program without trying to impress anyone, and when her 21 days were up, Rosalyn pleaded for an extension. She was able to stay until she felt like she was ready for the next stage in her recovery.

She vowed that because God had given her another chance, she would give him her best and do her best to stay sober. She continued to come to Nexus Outpatient and Aftercare programs on bus passes provided by Nexus.

To the donors that made her treatment possible, she says, “There is treasure in everyone, and sometimes we fall short…but there is hope, and people do change.”

UPCOMING EVENTSOctober• 23 – Women’s Auxiliary

Membership Coffee• 26 – Children’s Halloween

Party • 27 – 2nd Annual Bikers

Against Addiction

November• 3 – Holiday Bazaar

December• 14 – Children’s Holiday Party

NEXUS MISSION: To serve as a link to sobriety, independence, and dignity for low-income women and their families affected by addiction. We inspire hope, offer respect, and honor the unique differences of female addicts.

NEXUSNEWSLETTERFALL/WINTER 2018

Rosalyn Thomas on her wedding day, September 30, 2018.

“ The rest of my life, will be the best of my life.”

Rosalyn Thomas

THANK YOU TOOUR DONORS• A Night for Nexus

$110,000• North Texas Giving Day

$36,273• Rees-Jones Foundation

$50,000• Penrose Family Charitable

Fund $25,000

VOLUNTEER STORY: BOB ALSTON

MAKE AN IMPACT

Since September 2008, Bob Alston has been a volunteer computer programmer for Nexus Recovery Center, Inc. Bob is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining STATS – a database system that allows Nexus to track and report on client data and program outcomes. Before becoming a Nexus volunteer Bob had over 30 years of technology experience, especially with Microsoft Access, the software used to design STATS.

Upon retiring, Bob and his wife moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Rockwall, Texas, to be closer to their two daughters, both of whom live in the Dallas Metroplex. Bob recalls his wife asking, “What are you going to do now that you are retired?”

The implication was that he needed to find a way to not bother her, Bob remembered with a laugh.

Deciding to continue the charitable work he’d started in Tulsa as a volunteer with the United Way, Bob researched organizations that could benefit from his expertise. Preferring small organizations that focus on human services and have a small IT department, he found Nexus and liked that there was a great need for his technology expertise.

As long as the work is interesting and the people are nice Bob is happy to continue volunteering with Nexus. And when asked about the Nexus mission, he reflects, “I like groups that do something that is for the good of people.”

When Bob is not serving as the cornerstone of Nexus data, he enjoys spending time with his daughters and grandchildren and tending to his three tropical fish tanks.

$50 Provides 1 month of DETOXIFICATION MEDS for 4 clients

$170 Provides 1 day of INPATIENT treatment for 1 client

$250 Provides 1 month of DETOXIFICATION MEDS for 20 clients

$500 Provides 1 month of HOT MEALS to a client and her children

$1,200 Provides 1 week of INPATIENT treatment for 1 client

NEXUS RECOVERY CENTER 8733 La Prada Drive, Dallas, TX 75228 • 214-321-0156 • nexusrecovery.org

DID YOU KNOW?You can make a gift to Nexus with stock or through your will.

Bob Alston working in the Nexus server room.

Photos: Alicia Peoples/Nexus

“ It was our lucky day 10 years ago when Bob e-mailed about volunteering. We are so grateful for him. He still brings a level of skill we could never afford to purchase.”Nexus CEO, Becca Crowell