New Graduate From ‘Breaking the Cycle’

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The latest “Breaking the Cycle” graduate was recognized last week in a brief ceremony held on Tuesday, April 19 in the Mesquite Municipal Court. Judge Ryan Toone presided over the graduation of Jeffery Rudow, who had completed the addiction recovery program after 547 days of sobriety.

Rudow’s family and friends were in attendance to show support as well as an audience of city officials and community care volunteers.

Salvation Army Director Bill Ennis was given a moment to speak at the ceremony. Ennis said that he had worked with Rudow on his required community service.
“I did not think Jeffery would make it through the program,” Ennis said. “He started with a very poor attitude. I kicked him out of the office several times.”

But Ennis went on telling of Jeffery’s accomplishments. “He hung in there and started doing more than required from the program,” Ennis said. “He is an important volunteer at the Salvation Army now and we are very proud of him.”

Rudrow said said that he had been drinking alcohol since he was twelve years old. “This was hard but worth it!” he said of the program

Judge Toone explained that the “Breaking the Cycle” program is a way to help rehabilitate those who have ended up in jail because of their addiction to drugs and or alcohol. “We have found that it is not enough to stop using the substance,” Toone said. “You must also change your lifestyle. ‘Breaking the Cycle’ helps those who want to change to do so.”

The whole community gets behind the people in the program and supports their efforts with mental health help, career assistance, jobs and friendly advice. Graduates receive gifts at the ceremony from local businesses. One special lady makes a beautiful quilt for each graduate to celebrate their new life.
“When I became a chairperson for the AA group meetings, I believe that was a turning point in my life,” said Rudow as he was giving his granddaughter a hug.

Rudrow’s accomplishment included a renewal of family relationships, creating a new circle of “sober” friends, obtaining a CPR certification, building strong and healthy eating habits, improving his financial stability, chairing the AA meetings and, last but not least, providing a great amount of volunteer community service

Rudrow also provides loving care to his elderly father for the Veterans Administration.