Dear Rich,
I’m writing to you to express my gratitude to you for taking the time to speak at our school. Given the fact that we are a Recovery High School, we try to bring speakers in regularly to tell “their story” to our students. Young people in recovery and struggling with substance use have consistently said that the single biggest motivator for them is to hear from others in recovery who have faced the same struggle and who have overcome the addiction. Your visit with our school provided a realistic view of addictions and a firsthand account of your own struggle and the steps and time it took to you to the point you are at today. Our students (and staff) were completely engaged.
The students instantly connected with you given your ability to relate so well to them through your experience as a young person. I have seen other presenters that simply tell a story; your account is much more genuine and relatable which drew many of our students in. The students gained so much from your advice and experience, from your candidness and emotion. They need people like you in their lives that can get through to them and understand them. You have a unique gift that you should share as often and widely as you can. After you left several students broke down about their struggle and admitted that they had been lying and hiding from it, but that they needed to come forward because of what you had said to them. When a young person has that type of response after listening to someone for just an hour you know that there is something special about the way you present and connect with them.
I cannot thank you enough for visiting with us. However, the students’ reactions speak for themselves. It was such a valuable use of our time as a school and I’m sure you feel the same way. If there is anything I can do to help get you in front of more young people please let me know. Everyone struggling with substances deserved to hear from you and deserve to have the opportunity to connect with you. I truly believe that people like you are the best resource fro young people today…whether struggling or not. Everyone can learn something from what you have to offer. On behalf of the staff and students, I offer you my sincerest thanks.
Sincerely,
Ryan Morgan
Principal Independence Academy