An Amazing Display of Willingness and Support
On July 4th, the Van Ness Recovery House Alumni and friends Spartan Team officially launched with a bold vision: to bring together 40 alumni, friends, and family members, each committed to raising at least $500, with a shared team goal of $50,000.
Over the next 75 days, our Spartans trained tirelessly—pushing through fears, physical challenges, and powerful emotions. Their dedication and unity paid off. By September 17th, the team not only reached their goal but surpassed it, raising $55,000—making this the largest alumni-based fundraiser in the history of Van Ness Recovery House.
On September 20th, our Spartans—including some alumni with less than a year in recovery, traveled to Angel Stadium in Anaheim to take on the thrilling and grueling Spartan Race. Over the course of 4 hours, they conquered obstacles that tested strength, endurance, and heart. Their courage and teamwork stood as a powerful symbol of recovery, resilience, and community.
From the entire Van Ness Recovery House family—thank you for standing beside our Spartans and proving once again that together, we can overcome any obstacle. We are extremely proud and grateful to every participant who gave their all, both on and off the field.
Stories of Inspiration
At 64, RJ looks back on nearly four decades of sobriety with gratitude and humility. His journey began in 1986 after alcohol and meth had taken everything from him—his job, his home, and his peace of mind. He still remembers arriving at Van Ness Recovery House in a tennis outfit, carrying Gucci luggage, and asking the friend who dropped him off to wait outside because he wasn’t sure if he would stay. At first, his plan was simply to please the courts by checking the boxes and proving that he was doing the work. But he quickly realized that approach had never kept him sober in the past. What he found at Van Ness was not just a place to sleep but the possibility of a new beginning. Choosing to let go and stay became the turning point where he felt a higher power was already guiding him.
RJ shares that there is no way he would be here today without sobriety. It has given him the foundation to face life’s challenges with strength and clarity. From waking up during a pandemic to navigating uncertain times, he has relied on the simple daily tools of recovery—taking things one step at a time, pausing to breathe, and following the principle of “first things first, second things second.” These straightforward practices have not only kept him alive and present but have also carried him through decades of change. They allow him to live with purpose, showing up for himself and for others year after year.
That spirit of showing up naturally grew into a deep commitment to service, which has remained at the center of RJ’s recovery. After first getting sober in 1986, he became involved with the alumni association, which eventually led him to serve on the Van Ness Recovery House Board of Directors in the late ’80s. After some time away, he rejoined the board about a decade ago when he saw the House needed renewed support. Today, he says service makes up one-third of his life, shaping who he is and how he moves through the world. That commitment has led him to take on new challenges, including the Spartan Race, both as a personal milestone and as a fundraiser for Van Ness Recovery House. Even with physical setbacks like bad knees and past surgeries, he remains committed to finishing the race, raising money, and supporting the community he loves.
As we celebrate National Recovery Month, RJ’s story reminds us that acts of service are not just occasional good deeds, but a way of life. His journey has been defined by giving his time and energy to be part of something larger than himself. For him, service is not an obligation but a source of identity and joy, and he wouldn’t change that for anything. To those just beginning their recovery, his gives this message: “Just be willing to surrender. You don’t even have to know how to surrender, you just have to be willing to do it and learn as you go.”
Climbing for a Cause: Spartan Race Countdown
The Van Ness Recovery House team is gearing up for the Spartan Race — a challenge that goes beyond endurance and strength. For our participants, it’s more than just a race; it’s an act of service. By stepping up to train, fundraise, and cross the finish line, they are giving their time, energy, and hearts to support the House and the recovery community. Led by board members, with alumni and friends as participants, the team has been training for months with determination and heart, proving that anything is possible when we show up for each other.
The team’s dedication has been inspiring, and with only one training day left, they’re ready to take on the big event on Saturday, September 20th. Check out some of the photos below to see their hard work in action. You can also read more about the effort in WeHo Times: Climbing for a Cause: Community Gears Up for Spartan Race to Support Van Ness Recovery House.
There’s still time to support these incredible participants. Every contribution is another act of service that helps Van Ness Recovery House continue its mission of saving lives through recovery. To learn how you can give, visit: VNRH Spartan Race.
How Can I Help?
The mission of Van Ness Recovery House thrives because of the compassion and generosity of people like you. Each act of support fuels not just a goal, but a powerful movement of healing, hope, and long-term recovery. Your commitment helps transform lives, and there are many meaningful ways to be part of the journey:
Give Hope – Your donations directly support stories of sobriety and transformation. Whether it’s a one-time gift or an ongoing pledge to our capital campaign, every contribution creates real change. You can visit our website here.
Share the Mission – When you tell others about Van Ness, you help extend our circle of support. Each story shared becomes a light for someone still searching for a path to recovery.
Stay Connected – Follow us on social media and engage with our newsletter to keep the inspiration alive. Together, we turn stories of recovery into a collective journey of strength and community.
“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving. We get stronger and more resilient.”
-Steve Maraboli