The Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery at Kennesaw State gave out over $46,000 in scholarships to students at the annual Collegiate Recovery Scholarship Breakfast that took place on Monday, Sept. 20.
Each year, CRP holds the Collegiate Recovery Scholarship Breakfast to raise funds for the program and the scholarships that will be awarded to members during the event. With 10 different scholarships from various sponsors, students who want to get well can receive the support they need to pursue their goals.
CYAAR is a recovery community that aims to help young adults recover from drug and alcohol abuse and improve understanding of young adult addiction through research, according to their mission statement. The organization offers workshops, programs, counseling, educational resources and more to offer structure and support to students in recovery.
One of the larger programs at CYAAR is the Collegiate Recovery Program. This program is dedicated to helping students who are well on their way to recovery achieve their goals inside and outside of the classroom. The program will look to bring members together in support of each other through sober social activities and dedicated spaces with professionals and staff, according to the CRP website.
Students who have at least six months of sustained recovery are eligible to apply for the program and receive benefits such as priority registration for classes, academic advisement, personal counseling, private study rooms, computer labs with printers, out of state tuition waivers, scholarships and more.
Several students have shared their stories throughout the years of how CYAAR has helped them. CYAAR helped KSU graduate Blake Gordon overcome his alcoholism and go back to school, according to a news release by the university.
“Without this program, I would not still be in school,” Gordon said. “It’s a wonderful support system because we’re all in this together. Everybody has gone through similar circumstances, so you have the sense that you’re not alone.”
Gordon was one of 30 students that received scholarships totaling $55,500 at the 2019 CRS Breakfast, which greatly helped him and his fellow recipients pay for college.
“The financial support from CYAAR is life-changing,” Gordon said, “They say, ‘We’re going to keep the dream alive for you.'”
This year, the program saw more success stories as senior Bre McDonald shares her experiences in another news release.
McDonald had been struggling with alcohol since high school to the point where she would skip her classes, according to the article. She then describes the change she experienced from CYAAR “like night and day.”
“I became a completely different person,” McDonald said, “I had my fears when I came here, being a little older in school, but CYAAR and this recovery community became, and still are, my foundation. I wouldn’t be doing as well as I am without it.”
This year, McDonald and 14 of her peers were recipients of scholarships at the CRS Breakfast. She received two scholarships that not only provided her with financial aid but also encouragement for her future.
Students who would like to apply to the Collegiate Recovery Program can download an application on the website and contact the CYAAR through their email or by phone.
