PMN Pop-up Studio - Kalamazoo Annual Wellness Recovery Festival: Celeste's Voice of Recovery

Updated about 2 months ago

In "Recovery Stories: Celeste's Journey," Angela Logan hosts an inspiring session at the Recovery Institute Festival in Kalamazoo's Bronson Park. She interviews Ms. Celeste, who opens up about her path from the depths of addiction to recovery. Celeste recounts her transformative experiences with the Kep program and Latitude Recovery, illustrating her battles with alcohol and crack cocaine, and how she found support through family, faith, and the ministry workers in jail. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community in overcoming life's challenges.

Chapters

Introduction and Setting (00:00:29)
The host Angela Logan introduces herself and the setting of the Recovery Institute Festival at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo.

Angela Logan welcomes viewers back and introduces herself. She describes the setting as the beautiful Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo, where the Recovery Institute Festival is taking place. The festival is about capturing the stories of the community, focusing on their recovery journeys and other experiences they wish to share.
Introducing Celeste (00:00:41)
Angela introduces Ms. Celeste, the interviewee, and begins by asking about her background and interests.

Angela Logan expresses her excitement to speak with Ms. Celeste, who has stopped by their booth. Angela asks Celeste to share a little bit about herself, including where she grew up and her interests, providing a background for the viewers.
Celeste's Journey to Kalamazoo (00:01:18)
Celeste shares her journey from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo and her involvement with recovery programs.

Celeste recounts her move from Grand Rapids and Big Rapids to Kalamazoo after facing legal issues. She mentions her participation in the Kep program and her current residence in a Latitude Recovery house, highlighting her path towards recovery.
Turning Point in Recovery (00:01:36)
Celeste describes the moment she realized she needed to change, involving a mental health crisis and police intervention.

The conversation shifts to a critical moment in Celeste's life where she realized the need for change. She describes experiencing psychosis and a dangerous situation involving running into traffic, which led to her being taken to a mental hospital by the police. This event marked a turning point in her recovery journey.
Recovery Programs and Support (00:02:22)
Celeste discusses the programs and support systems that helped her in recovery, including religious guidance and meetings.

Celeste shares her involvement with recovery programs, starting with addressing alcohol issues and later facing crack cocaine addiction. She credits ministry workers in jail with helping her reconnect with her faith and continue attending recovery meetings after release. These support systems played a crucial role in her recovery process.
Impact of Kep Program (00:03:31)
Celeste explains how the Kep program provided stability and helped her see her potential in sobriety.

Celeste talks about the Kep program, which she believes saved her life by providing three months of stability and allowing her to see her potential as a sober individual. Despite legal issues, the program, along with Latitude Recovery, offered the support she needed to change her life.
Family Support and Rebuilding Relationships (00:04:07)
Celeste recounts the importance of family support and rebuilding relationships during her recovery journey.

Celeste emphasizes the importance of her family support system, including family gatherings that allowed her to reconnect with loved ones. Maintaining contact with her family has helped her rebuild relationships lost due to past drug use, which has been vital in her recovery.
Looking Forward (00:05:16)
Celeste expresses her approach of taking life day by day and facing challenges as they come.

When asked about future goals, Celeste explains that she is focused on taking life day by day and facing challenges as they arise. She remains committed to her recovery path, emphasizing the importance of persevering through whatever comes next.
Conclusion and Encouragement (00:05:45)
Angela thanks Celeste for sharing her story and encourages viewers with the message that recovery is possible.

Angela Logan thanks Celeste for sharing her story with the audience, expressing appreciation for her candor. Angela hopes that Celeste's story will inspire viewers, reinforcing the message that if Celeste can overcome her challenges, others can too. She invites viewers to stay tuned for more stories.