My name is Dean Danielson. I would love to take fifteen of my "New Friends" to an Avalanche Game!

My "New Friends" are teenage members of a 12 Step Program to help Teenagers learn how to live a life of sobriety through what we call Enthusiastic Sobriety. The program is split into two age groups (12-17, and 18-24 years of age). This is an enthusiastic sobriety program for youth and their families. The approach consists of:

Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) for the abuser, extended four hour group sessions Monday through Friday for a period of six to twelve weeks and beyond.

IOP activities also include individual counseling sessions weekly and attendance at nightly support group meetings and social activities.

Family participation is also a crucial part of this program, with weekly support group meetings for family members.

The program also serves as a relapse prevention program as teens are welcome in the program for as long as two years.

I could go on and on about the specifics of the program, but that is for another time.

What I wanted to really point out is the joy of getting my teenager back from the hold of mind-changing chemicals. I can’t tell you how great it is to see your child smile, perhaps for the first time in months or in some cases, years. These kids develop such a bond of love and caring for each other it is really astounding. One can’t help but get pulled into the caring and loving atmosphere.

So, these teenagers have become my "New Friends" and I think it would be great to celebrate their Sobriety with them at an Av’s Game.

Sincerely,

Dean Danielson