Karen J. is a Founder and Board Member of Dismas Houses, a transitional house for recovering addicts located in Colorado Springs. They are hosting a comedy fundraiser on November 3, 2012 to benefit the Dismas Houses of Colorado Springs. For more information about the comedy fundraiser just click here.
Recovery Comedy: Why did your found Dismas Houses of Southern Colorado?
Karen: There’s a real need in Colorado Springs for more transitional homes for individuals in recovery. However, it wasn’t anything on my radar or anything I had planned to do. I believe I received a calling from my higher power. I worked with other people, and before we knew it, our first house was opened.
Recovery Comedy: What is Dismas Houses and who do you serve?
Karen: Dismas Houses is a faith-based transitional home for men in recovery from addiction. We serve alcoholics, addicts, former prisoners, and individuals on parole and probation. We assist our residents with successful reintegration into the community.
Recovery Comedy: How does Dismas Houses work with the residents at your facility?
Karen: Dismas Houses is first and foremost a faith-based program emphasizing the residents’ relationship with a higher power. Our Programs include: self-sufficiency training, which may mean furthering their education, life-skills enhancements, employment counseling, and reunification with family members.
Recovery Comedy: What makes your approach unique?
Karen: The fact that it’s faith-based. We believe that spirituality is the foundation for recovery. We combine faith-based philosophies with 12 Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. We are also the only sober house in Colorado Springs that uses case managers for support for our residents. We basically follow the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a simple program but no one has ever said it’s easy. And this is why we need Recovery Comedy.
Recovery Comedy: How so?
Karen: People in recovery, especially in early recovery, have a tendency to take themselves too seriously. We need to be able to laugh at our addictive thinking. You know, the total black and white thinking. Famous last words “I got it!” When was the last time that alcoholic was in charge? And how did that work out for her? We need to laugh about the things we think, the things we do. The things we DON’T think! So engaging Recovery Comedy for our large event this year on November 3rd just made sense.
Recovery Comedy: How did you find out about Recovery Comedy?
Karen: I was talking to an outreach worker from one of the other sober houses in town and he mentioned comedy and then “…there was this comedian who was at the NA Convention in Denver…..” and I was off and running. I couldn’t think of a better way to bring people together, both in recovery and “normies” to support Dismas House. Everyone enjoys comedy and Recovery Comedy allows us to laugh at ourselves. Being “sober” doesn’t mean not having a sense of humor. I think one of the things that amaze people when they walk into a 12 step meeting is how much laughter there is. When we listen to each other’s stories we can relate and some of those stories are downright crazy. Part of what Dismas Houses wants to show our residents is that being clean and sober means sharing and sharing leads to a lot of happiness. Recovering alcoholics and addicts need to know that we all deserve to be happy. Bill W said it in the Big Book …we aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. ~Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous page 132
Recovery Comedy seemed like a perfect choice for a benefit for Dismas House. A lot of times people who are in the first steps of recovery wonder if they will ever be able to have fun again. You know there is an old AA story that the only rule for AA as an organization is Rule 62- Don’t take yourself so seriously. Give it up to your higher power to take care of management and just accept life on it’s own If we can laugh WITH each other, that helps our personal growth, whether we are substance abusers or straight.
Recovery Comedy: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. We’re hoping that your upcoming Recovery Comedy Event on November 3rd is a huge success and that we get the chance to work together many many more times.
The comedian for this year’s comedy event for the Dismas House will be George M.
To find out more information about George M. or to book him for your next 12 Step Fundraiser just click here!
Drink coffee like a cool kid at your next meeting with the Recovery Comedy Coffee Mug, “One Sip At A Time!”
If you like what we are doing here at Recovery Comedy please tell your friends and help us spread the word. Without you and your support none of this is possible. Also, don’t forget to follow or like us on these lovely social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and YouTube
"*" indicates required fields