![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/1637302646150.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Community Service And Volunteering
Painting and Studio Art
Reading
Academic
Education
History
Psychology
Social Issues
I read books multiple times per month
Kristen Kearney
475
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/1637302646150.webp)
Kristen Kearney
475
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
FinalistEducation
Lower Columbia College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Minors:
- Social Work
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Hospital & Health Care
Dream career goals:
Non-profit leader specializing in addiction and mental health disorders
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Lost Dreams Awaken Scholarship
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
– Harriet Tubman
What recovery means to me is a chance for a new beginning. This new beginning is paired with strength, hope, grit, and tranquility from not using drugs.
With the help of Narcotics Anonymous, I broke the chains of my addiction. Before I got clean I was living in this dark cold room under a shop. It was Christmas day, one of the darkest Christmas I had. No dinners or family, no friends, presents, or even anyone there for me. Isolated with nothing but my drugs. I was desolate inside, a shell of a human being. I had no family because I lost my mom to her addiction, and I felt so alone until I got into recovery.
When I found Narcotics anonymous, I found my family. The people in Narcotics Anonymous loved me when I didn't love myself, and they continued to love me until I could learn to love myself.
Today I am in school for a SUPD degree, and I have a wonderful job working in a treatment center. I give back to my community by helping other addicts stay clean, and volunteering with a local non-profit that feeds the homeless. Recovery is my life, and without it, I would be dead, institutionalized, or incarcerated. Recovery is life or death to me.