Our Alumni

SUZANNE KING: Transitioned to Independent Living 2003. "I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me to change my life. You not only believed in me, but gave me the skills to believe in myself. You have opened my mind and my heart to love myself and all others. You have given me a safe place to call home. People like you make our sometimes ugly world a much more beautiful place to live in. I will always cherish these gifts you have given me."

SANDRA (Cookie) COLEMAN: Transitioned to Independent Living 2003. My name is Cookie. I am 54 years old and am clean and sober for 8 1/2 years. I am recovering from crack and heroine. Well, I say recovered, as it has been so long and my focus is no longer on drugs, but on my busy life. I Manage a Dennys Restaurant and own my own car, home etc. etc.. I was in and out of the 12 Step doors for 10 years, and an addict for 22 years.  I went to Sand Dollar in 2001. Sand Dollar Changed my Life. I don't even think the same way any more, and everything begins with a thought... Everything! It took me a little while to get used to Sand Dollars way of thinking, but now that I understand, I live and breath Sand Dollar. To this day they, meaning Albert and Naomi, are there for me. I still go and get advice and try to do the right thing. Am I perfect. Far from it, but my life is so much better today. I never thought that I would ever own a home... let alone a car. With the direction of my classes at Sand Dollar and the moral support that they have constantly given me, I am not an addict today.  If I could say one thing to anyone to help them to get clean and sober, I would say Sand Dollar. They are my family and I will never forget all the "good" things that came to me by just doing the right thing for me. Learn to Love yourself and the rest will come to you. Thank you Albert and Naomi for my Life today. Thank you Sand Dollar for all the love and guidance that I would probably never had understood in my Life. Love Cookie.

DIANA GOLDEN: Transitioned to Independent Living 2005. "I lived on the streets for over 2 years doing drugs and other things to support my habit. I spent a total of 5 years in the Arizona State Prison for those crimes. Just before I got out the last time, I saw Naomi Potter on a news show talking about her program and I know that, if I wanted to break the cycle, this was the place I had to go. There was something about her that I wanted to have and I wanted her to show me how I could get it. I learned to love myself for who I really was, and how to change the things I didn't like. I found peace within myself that I never knew was there or even possible. I found nothing but loving encouragement, to be true to myself and was allowed the space and time to go from a lowly caterpillar ti a beautiful butterfly. I have been drug free for 10 years, if you count prison time, and I have never looked back. That was over 7 years ago, I am now a full time college student, I own my own car, and money left over after I pay the bills. Naomi & TC are not only my mentors but also my friends and family. So if you are reading this and wondering if someone you know  and love should come here, or if this is a place worthy of your donation, I say to you yes!!! I am not the exception for the Sand Dollar Program, there are plenty more like me  that can say the same thing."

AMY BONDURANT: Transitioned to Independent Living 2008. "I entered into Sand Dollar a lost, and confused alcoholic and drug addict. I had just gotten out of jail and an institution for psychological disorders. I had lost everything and I really was in deep water. I was welcomed by Naomi and Albert with loving and caring arms. I learned about myself and how to stay sober. Also I learned how to live on life's terms. I found a new spiritual way of life that I could understand. The program had responsibilities and  privileges. In this program I was able to work with other women who had similar problems. I was also given the opportunity to learn to work with the public. The program had lost of jobs and activities that helped me build some job skills. I was determined to make a change for a better life. Sand Dollar Discovery House gave me the tools I needed to move on and grow up! I now have a different point of view about life and myself. I've gained self esteem, self respect and I learned how to treat others around me with respect as well. Today after graduating from this beautiful program, I am doing so much better. I am now over 3 years sober and I am in school for a medical assistant degree. I am driving and I continue to work on independent life skills. This program works, and I had a rough road but now I am equipped for whatever road is ahead of me. I thank you for giving me the chance to bloom.

See more alumni click here.


Sand Dollar Discovery House
5049 W Campbell Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85031
623-247-7877
e-mail:sanddollardiscoveryhouse@earthlink.net
www.sanddollardiscoveryhouse.org