Josiah Haynes Testimonial
Erik Clark Testimonial
Penny, I just want to say I owe a lot to you and Ronnie for who I am now and I’m grateful that I came to the Good Shepherd when I did. I was going to end up dead or worse.
After leaving Good Shepherd Recovery House, I eventually went to work at a mental health facility and was working on becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. But since then, I have had the opportunity to take a position at a medical practice in Fort Oglethorpe and I’m going to go back to school to be a Physician’s assistant. The Lord has really blessed me!
I have also gotten remarried. God put a wonderful woman in my life that loves me like I’ve never been loved before. She is also a nurse and encourages me and supports me in every way.
All of my legal matters have been settled and doors have opened to me. God has been so good to me and all it took was making a decision…I remember you teaching me that.
I never realized the power of making decisions, especially the right ones.
Stephen Henderson
| What was good for you during your stay? | Everything. The recovery house is an amazing place to stay. I was a resident with 14 other guys and I never felt crowded. Here’s why it’s a great place: (1) the house is huge and clean; (2) the support network is great – the guys accepted into this program want to get sober and will hold each other accountable; (3) the counseling is top tier – Penny Haynes is an extraordinary counselor who helps every single man that comes through this program; and (4) it is a safe place – the other guys in the program become like brothers and we all want each other to succeed. |
| What could have been better? | Realistically, I can’t think of a single thing that could have been better. |
| What did Good Shepherd do for you? | Good Shepherd changed my life. Before I came to Good Shepherd I was a slave to alcohol. My addiction ruled my life. Although I had financial success in life, I was tremendously unhappy. So I drank. In fact, the more financial success I had, the more unhappy I felt. Instead of exploring the root cause of this unhappiness, I drank. It began as an evening drink after work on Friday and Saturday nights. It wasn’t long before I was having a drink almost every day, and it didn’t matter what time of day. Ultimately, my addiction destroyed my career, destroyed my marriage, and destroyed my family. I went to jail for a year. Then to prison for a year. To put this in perspective, I was in my late 30s when all this happened and it was the first time in my life I had been incarcerated. So this was all a new and horrible experience. I thought my life was over during all this. I had almost given up. I was sentenced to a rehab after prison. It feels odd to say it, but I’m glad for it. I ended up at the Good Shepherd. At first, I was angry. Angry at myself, angry at God, angry at everybody. But I worked the program at Good Shepherd. I listened during our counseling sessions and really worked on myself. *As a side note, I am the biggest skeptic when it comes to counseling or therapy, but Mrs. Penny Haynes is a gifted counselor. If she can reach me, then she will reach you. I promise. During my stay at Good Shepherd, something began to change in me. I became hopeful again. I realized so many things about my life. One of the most important is that I choose not to be a slave to alcohol. It is a choice I get to make every day. I choose health over alcohol. I choose my family over alcohol. I choose my career over alcohol. The Good Shepherd changed my life. It can change yours too. Let them help you. |
| For family members what has Good Shepherd Done for your family | The Good Shepherd has given my family a tremendous amount of comfort and hope. I have always been the rule follower in my family and so for all of this to happen was a huge shock. Throughout my incarceration I was in deep deep despair and so to was my family. Good Shepherd has been a stabilizing force. It helped me and my family out of despair. It has given us hope. So now the future looks bright. I still have a lot of rebuilding to do, but I do so with a happy heart. |
What was good for you during your stay? What could have been better? In the moment I may have had some complaints but looking back now from the outside the only complains I would have had would have been from my own decisions. Honestly couldn’t have received any better treatment than what I got. If anything, what did Good Shepherd do for you? RK Good Shepherd saved R’s life, our relationship, and helped mend pains and hurts we wouldn’t have known how to deal with otherwise. The family counseling was a HUGE contributor to our success for our relationship troubles. RK’s Wife
The support I always felt I had. The guys in the house felt like family and penny was like my second mom.
Helped me learn how to live my life sober . Was a changing point in my life and the longest I’ve ever been sober. Helped me learn how to deal with why I wanted to use rather than just helping get me off the drugs .
The Good Shepherd program helped me turn my life around when I needed it the most. The sternness and discipline taught there changed my mindset on how to deal with life’s challenges and drug addiction. The classes and responsibilities helped me become a better man and father to my family coming home. It was definitely an experience I will never forget and will always cherish going forward. Thank you Ronnie and Penny Haynes.
Jonathan Applin
The Good Shepherd saved my life. I struggled with addiction for 10 years and lost everything in my life. Mrs Penny and Pastor Ronnie helped me get to the root of my problem and gave me the tools to get my life back on track.
WB
What was good for you during your stay?
Being around a group of guys that were diligently seeking out sobriety and holding each other accountable for everything. I truly found myself here at the Good Shepherd and have sharpened my skills; emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
What could have been better?
I really can’t think of anything that could have been better. Some of the tasks and responsibilities in the first 90 days were very mundane. But nonetheless, they were very crucial to my recovery.
What did Good Shepherd do for you?
The Good Shepherd has taught me that sobriety and recovery takes work. Actual effort is necessary to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Working the steps of recovery has been crucial to my sobriety and recovery thus far and I plan to continue staying plugged into the ministry and helping others that are in recovery.
Brent Wattenbarger
What was good for you during your stay?
It provided a safe environment for my recovery. The friendships I made with others in recovery and the relationships I made while a client. Being in a loving environment where other clients and staff care about you.
What could have been better?
Not many complaints maybe a little more activities for the clients outside the actual facility. Again not many complaints I enjoyed their recovery methods.
What did Good Shepherd do for you?
Good Shepherd helped me to not only get to the root of some of my issues that caused me to relapse time and time again even after years of sobriety between each fall, but to also help me in building a better relationship with God. Through counseling and classes I was able to overcome issues that were hindering me from a happy, healthy life. Its helped me to be more involved with the recovery of others – it’s actually become a passion for me.
For family members what has Good Shepherd done for your family?
It brought joy!! My family has seen such a change in me ! It’s brought us closer than ever. They are able to trust in me again. It has definitely helped us mend our relationship. They are very grateful for this program.
Bryan MacDonald
With my stay here at the Good Shepherd I really learned about freedom and how important it is. I learned about God and the things He has done for us. Plus about the feelings for my family. Being here at the Good Shepherd was about the best thing that has happened in my life.
JH
What was good for you during your stay?
The accountability and the fellowship with other guys in the house.
What could have been better?
Well be honest could have been better but I’ve been able to smoke LOL but truthfully I think it would have been better to have more classes over more days instead of having them all in one day would give me more time to soak it up.
What did Good Shepherd do for you?
Good Shepherd helped me to manage my time and hold myself accountable and to deal with others even when I didn’t want to. They also gave me clean time and sobriety which I was never able to do for myself or by myself they gave me a whole new outlook on the world and life. They also help me realize that addiction isn’t a choice but sobriety is it’s not about being stronger it’s about being smarter it’s all about the choices you make and they all carry consequences good or bad after that I’m thankful for The Good Shepherd.
For family members what has Good Shepherd Done for your family?
Just brought me and my family back together 3 months after getting out I moved my ex-wife and my kids back into the house which has been a lot but I wouldn’t change it for the world being with my family in sobriety it’s the first time ever and I’m truly thankful for that. It’s helped my family to believe in me that I will stay sober and now they’re willing to spend time with me when before it didn’t matter to me or them it seem like.
Thomas Reeves
What was good for you during your stay?
The guys here were awesome The food was great . The Wed. counseling was excellent The house manger was a very caring person So were pastor Ronnie and Mrs. Penny
What could have been better?
I can’t think of anything I would change
What did Good Shepherd do for you?
It got my Daughter back in my Life. Also my Grandkids
For family members what has Good Shepherd done for your family
For me it got my Daughter and Son back close to me .I now get to talk to my grandkids all the time. I also talk to my Brother and Sister and there Kids .
Roy Bence
What was good for you during your stay?
Being able to create a new daily routine and being able to build healthy relationships.The counseling class we had every Wednesday really helped me understand the reasons that led to me to start using substances.
What could have been better?
Everything was pretty solid during my stay at the good Shepard. The one thing that could improve is the Thursday night codependency meeting.
What did Good Shepherd do for you?
I learned the main roots that were causing me to feel depression and anxiety during my addiction. The good Shepard also helped me to not worry about what other people think. I was a very insecure individual during my addiction and I would isolate myself from society. This is by far the best
program I have attended and it really helped me dig deep and learn how to cope with past trauma.
For family members what has Good Shepherd Done for your family
I have finally earned their trust back, and they no longer live in fear of me making mistakes that could have had a very negative impact on my life. This program has taught me to be honest and break the pattern I developed during addiction of always lying to my family. We are also a lot closer and positive towards each other now.