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Meet the Artists of StepUP

While brainstorming an idea for a blog post, the thought of art continued coming up. I wasn’t sure how to incorporate it into a blog post that the whole community would enjoy, though. Then I realized how many talented artists there are in the StepUP community and I thought making a post briefly showcasing everyone’s art would be a really cool way to get to know everyone a little better. I told everyone interested to send me 3 pictures of their work and a brief artist statement or paragraph about what art means to them. So, here it goes. Meet the artists of StepUP!


 

“I am so grateful for the ability to embrace creativity and produce art.  Art allows me to wind down after a long day, process my thoughts and emotions, and challenges me to discover my boundaries and limits.  Art has taught me lessons of patience, acceptance, and gratitude.  I hope to learn much more about myself and others through art in the future.” -Lindsay E.

Gold head and orange autumn leaves sculpture.    Lindsay welding pieces of a metal flower.    Lindsay holding up a welded metal flower.    Drawing of a skull with five red roses on top.

 


 

“My name is Ricky. I am a junior at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN studying film, graphic design and photography. Over the years, and project to project, I am finding my approach change. As a photographer, I am a silent observer; snapping shots of tiny moments happening around me. As a designer, I resort to 90s era street art, old wood block prints and flashy colors with big letters to draw the viewer in. As a filmmaker, I want to pull my audience in with gripping stories and moments sublime.

Not only do I study these three areas, but I have some training as a drawer, painter, printmaker, different positions in front of and behind the camera and as a student of art history.” -Ricky T.

Ricky has a website with all of his work.

Photograph of a rubber duck with a dinosaur arm coming out of it's right side.Black and White photo of a girl.Photo collage of Ricky with a caption: "Dream Big Kid".

 



“I am a musician living in St. Paul. Music seems to be the thing that holds me together. My drinking had destroyed me as a person and my creating of music. I thought it was over when I got sober because my addiction was so intertwined in music, but my music just blossomed when I followed the 12 steps accordingly and used patience instead of attacking my dreams with addict-like drive. I even wrote a song about it called “Loop.”” -Isaac H. (Alumni)

Isaac also has a website with all of his music. 

Isaac singing into a microphone.


 

“During my time at Augsburg College I have reignited a passion for creating artwork. This has allowed me to investigate personal and interpersonal issues. Amongst other mediums, photography has become my primary source for exploring personal issues through artistic expression. The three photos showcased are excerpts from a larger body of work, STILL, that centered around the emotional struggle that ensues at the height of mental illness episodes. Through documenting and creating visual narratives from past and present struggles, my goal as an artist is to process personal issues while fostering dialogue with my audience. I am currently working on a body of work centered on femininity, innocence, and family lineage as it pertains to becoming and being a woman.” -Audrey C.

   Black and white photo of a person tangled in sheets on a bed.        Black and white photo of a person laying in sheets on a bed.        Black and white photo of a girl laying in a bed.

 


“An important part of my road of recovery, self love, and finding a purpose in this world was, and continues to be, finding things that make my heart happy. I’ve always enjoyed art and creating things, but during my use and my depression, I lost the desire to do anything I loved. This year, I’ve opened up my heart again to my love for art. Creating art is one of the few things that comes very natural to me, and makes my whole body feel comforted when I’m doing it. I get lost when I’m in the midst of a painting. I really appreciate learning about other artist’s and understanding every individual’s unique style. Pursuing creativity has been one of the best things I could have done for myself.” -Connie K.

A painting of a yellow face.  A painting of a man with an afro.  Painting of a girl crying with flowers.     

 



“My name is David Baboila and I am a photographer born in, and based out of the Twin Cities of Minnesota. All of my photography is on medium format film. It’s shot, developed, and printed by me in a darkroom in Minneapolis. I am extremely passionate about photography, not in a commercial sense but in how it can move people and can evoke a great diversity of emotions, from whimsical and humorous to lonely and scared.

All of my photographs focus  on an aesthetic of the void or vacancy in everyday life in Minnesota and largely the greater Twin Cities metro area. To me photography is a fine art based in concepts.  Currently I am extremely interested in the vacancy of landscapes and buildings as it relates to more rural or suburban areas as well as the death of industry as it was in the 20th century. The area of this I focus on is vacancy in places that used to be occupied but are now idle and disengaged. On a very surface level I personally am inspired with the history of these places and the past occupancy of them and really enjoy presenting them after this period of time. It reminds me of death and the way we sit idle after passing. The stark transitions these places have made create dialogue not only from my personal life to the viewer but also draw on one’s own experience and with this subject matter. My work is very personal but I hope to present in a broader sense what happens societally when we consume and do so too much. It is a sad yet humorous challenge to the way we have been known to operate as Americans.” -David B.

Black and white photo of a brick house.  Black and white photo of a taken apart car.  Black and white photo of an old car wash.

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2015 StepUP Graduation

Photo of councilor, Tim B., with StepUP students.On May 1st, 2015 the StepUP program celebrated 34 of their own graduating from the program. StepUP Graduation is one, if not the, most important event of the collegiate recovery community, and you could feel the excitement and joy as StepUP students and their families poured into the Sateren Auditorium.  Over 200 family members, friends, faculty and staff attended, hearing stories from the StepUP counselors of how their child, sibling, student or friend has excelled not only at Augsburg College but in the StepUP community.  Along with the twenty-two graduates, StepUP also honored twelve StepUP students who are continuing school, but moving off campus.

Ann Garvey, the Vice President of Student Affairs and Patrice Salmeri, Director of the StepUP program, welcomed the crowd and set the tone for the event sharing the passion and admiration they both have for the StepUP community and its individual students who leave a powerful impact at Augsburg College. The auditorium was filled with laughter over a sentimental slideshow of the graduates’ journey through their college years and wonderful music was played by Seven Half Trio, including one of StepUP’s own graduates, Tommy J.

There were five StepUP graduates chosen to share their experience and strength gained from their time at Augsburg and StepUP.  The first StepUP student speaker was Leonie M. (pictured on the right), Photo of StepUP student at podium.who not only had the audience laughing but also passed on her wisdom and encouragement to current StepUP students. Joseph J. was another StepUP speaker to give sage advice on the power that reaching out to other StepUP students and the counselors has on one’s serenity.  Kyle L-H. emphasized the wonderful friends he has met through StepUP and the invaluable support of his family through his journey towards recovery. Jessica L. recognized how StepUP gave her back the dream of going to college while being in recovery.  Ben M. spoke about how StepUP prepared him for the future.

The traditional sand ceremony followed the moving speeches, (pictured below).  For seven years StepUP graduating students receive a combination of sand colors distinct for their graduating class.  They gather in a circle on stage and simultaneously pour their individual vials of sand into a large glass vase already containing previous years of sand from StepUP and Augsburg graduates.  As the sand pours into the vase and mixes together into greater layers, the growing community of StepUP alumni is symbolized.  Sand is chosen for this ceremony because of the representation that just as grains of sand can never be separated from each other, StepUP alumni and students can never be separated or removed from the StepUP community. Their StepUP identity and experience cannot be separated from their being.

Patrice Salmeri gave closing remarks as the Seven Half Trio closed out the ceremony with beautiful music.

“Though your destination is not clear you can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning that is one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure, hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk. 

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, for your soul senses the world that awaits you”.  

Photo of StepUP students pouring sand into a vase.The audience was welcomed outside Sateren with an incredible amount of cake and beverages. Many priceless photos were taken of StepUP graduates in dresses and suits with big smiles and their families surrounding them. The event was a definite success and StepUP wishes the best for the 34 students moving on from StepUP.  No doubt we will miss the bright, motivated graduates and they have left some big shoes to fill for StepUP students to come.  Luckily, they have left many examples and opportunities for the future students of StepUP to grow, excel, shine, and step up like StepUP’s 2015 graduating class has done.

 

Connecting with StepUP Alumni

With over 600 students having gone through the StepUP program over the last 18 years and with yet another graduation approaching, it’s an important time to connect alumni with current students. Tonight, on March 27th, StepUP is hosting an event that brings alumni back to their former home of Oren Gateway Center to share their journey of life after StepUP with those graduating on May 2nd, 2015.

Two men in suits shaking hands.

The vital connection of past and present StepUP students was made possible through a StepUP graduate’s family contribution. The funding is geared towards helping to strengthen connections between the StepUP community and alumni. Mentoring is important not only for first-year students but for the next wave of StepUP graduates, as well.

 

The focus of this event is for StepUP students to network with alumni who give them assistance with job preparation, help them build up their resumes, and much more. Connecting is an important tool for current StepUP students because it helps to have alumni show what matters with interviews and how to address questions about attending treatment or gaps in employment, to advice on transitioning from the community of StepUP into the world.

 

This opportunity is greatly beneficial, providing another resource for StepUP students to help become successful members of society. Working with current students is also greatly beneficial to the alumni, as it allows them to give back to community and a program that has helped them succeed.

 

We are truly grateful for all the alumni that have been reaching out and helping current students. We know the stress that can come with planning for the future and the transition of graduation. It is critical for alumni to carry their message of experience, strength, and hope and it continues the cycle of students leaving StepUP motivated and prepared for the future.

-Blake Halvorson

 

 

Student Leadership in CRC’s

Photo of Scott W. holding a Recovery Campus magazine.
Scott Washburn

-Blake Halvorson

Recovery Campus magazine has recently published an article from  StepUP program’s very own Assistant Director, Scott Washburn.  Scott communicated about the importance of leadership for any recovery based community.  He says, “At times, overseeing a collegiate recovery community is like trying to manage chaos.”

I have recently joined the leadership team here at StepUP and completely agree with his article and the statement about managing chaos.  Our leadership team at StepUP consists of eight students and trying to organize events and service work for eighty plus students is a challenging, yet fulfilling task.  Scott oversees the leadership team and helps keep the students focused.  Reading this article helped shed some light on how important it is to not just continue growing the current leaders but to also pass on the formulas and ideas of leadership to the newly emerging leaders.

Read a digital copy of Scott’s Article in Recovery Campus, pg. 40-42.

 

Coffee Matt

-Blake HalvorsonMatt pouring coffee from a tap.

One of StepUP’s former students is doing big things within the coffee industry.  Matt McGinn, nicknamed Coffee Matt while attending Augsburg, graduated from the StepUP program and Augsburg College in 2013 with a Social Work degree.  He did a couple of internships for his major and realized social work was not for him so he dove into his passion of brewing cold press.

Matt, now 26, has been brewing for over 10 years. With his past experience in brewing and working at other coffee shops he obtained a job after college at Mapps Coffee on Riverside. There he became the operating manager and in no time the store increased their operations and profits.

He knew he had a talent in the unsaturated market for cold press yet needed an investor.  This last October Matt teamed up with his new partner Jake Nelson through an apprentice on Craigslist.  Matt was looking for someone to invest in him and Jake was looking for someone to invest in. It was a perfect partnership.

Blackeye roasting company's logo.They hit the market quick and opened up their own business called the Blackeye Roasting Company where the roasting is done right in the Twin Cities.  They are selling it in a bottle or on tap (pictured above).  Blackeye cold press is sold at over 20 locations in Minnesota with Augsburg as one of the newest locations on the map. Augsburg’s very own Nabo: a neighborhood cafe located in the same building as the StepUP program is now selling Matt’s product.

Matt also runs his own coffee shop by the name Quixotic Coffee located in St. Paul, MN. It has a meeting room available which occasionally hosts 12-step meetings and often attracts people in recovery.  He has been working long hours with big payoffs. With the rate of growth it leads me to believe that this is just the beginning for Matt.

Coffee Matt, a man with a passion for cold press, is making a career out of it. The StepUP program is extremely proud of his accomplishments and knows there are many more to come. Matt will celebrate four years of sobriety in March. He is an inspiration to students about how following one’s passion can lead to a fulfilling career.  We wish Matt the best and cannot wait to see what he brews up next!

 

 

Fall Semester Dean’s List

-Blake HalvorsonGraphic of Dean's list with a ribbon.

The StepUP students had an outstanding fall semester academically. The 2014 Fall Semester Dean’s list was recently released and with quite the turnout. The great news was that over 900 undergraduate students throughout campus made the list.

Out of StepUP’s 81 students last semester, 40% were named to the Dean’s List.  To be named to the Dean’s List a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 scale, and there’s more… 15% of the StepUP students achieved a perfect 4.00 last semester.  We are very proud of all the students and congratulate them on their hard work and success.

 

Fresh Start

-Blake HalvorsonA street sign that reads, "Fresh Start".

Spring semester at StepUP is on its way with our 13 new students already calling it home! One student stated, “Enrolling in StepUP is the best decision I have ever made.” The camaraderie continues to grow and bond the students together. Talk of recovery and laughter fills the building. I have never been part of such a program that helps every single student on a daily basis. Together so much can be, and has already been,  accomplished.

One of the new students on their first day was surprised when they found themselves sitting in the front of the classroom, taking notes, and engaging with the class. They said, “Never have I found myself doing that.” Another student commented saying, “Once upon a time, continuing my education was a dream. Now it’s a reality.” The StepUP program really is a fresh start for students, and without it I know continuing my education would have stayed a dream.

2015 Spring Semester

-Blake HalvorsonGraphic collage of a tree.

Spring Semester 2015 is up and coming on the Augsburg Campus. Students are trickling in, regardless of the cold weather, to get ready for the semester start on Monday, January 12th. It’s exciting to see the community slowly come back together after the long break and exchange stories and even gifts.

This is an exciting semester for StepUP. We have close to a full house with thirteen new students enrolled for the spring semester. As a student I am very excited for new faces to help brighten the place up and add to our already loving community. The new students move into today and we are just finishing up the last touches for welcoming them. Another great semester for StepUP is on its way.

Seven Days and Counting

The excitement is mounting as we count down the last 7 days until the StepUP gala. Staff and students are in high gear with a buzz in the air. We can’t wait to celebrate with all the wonderful people who value and generously support the StepUP program.

On October 11th, over 300 people will gather for a fundraiser and celebration at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency. The program is highlighted by Jim Ramstad as the keynote, Don Shelby as the emcee and alumni speaker Dana Olson. Mike and Pam Sime will be honored for their continuous support of young people in recovery.

There will be a live auction with a chance to bid on vacation properties  and other items. Please join us for what is bound to be a fun-filled evening.

More information and ticket purchases can be found online.

 

Leadership Guidebook Now Available

– Scott Washburn, Assistant Director, StepUP Program

Student leadership is key for the healthy functioning of any collegiate recovery or recovery high school program.  Harry S. Truman once said, “In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”  Investing in building and developing leaders is an indispensable strategy for the growth and stability of a recovery school community.  We are thrilled to announce the posting of our “Leadership Guidebook for Recovery School Communities” in our newest section of the StepUP webpage on Student Leadership.

This guidebook is the culmination of a project made possible by a generous three-year grant from the C. Charles Jackson Foundation.  This project has consisted of StepUP students mentoring recovery high school students in leadership development.  Our hope is that staff and students from both collegiate recovery programs and recovery high schools will use this guidebook and its discussion guides to help them build strong student leadership in their respective school communities.  Feel free to let us know about your own progress with leadership development efforts and any feedback or suggestions you may have from using this guidebook.  We wish you all the best as you do your best to provide healthy recovery communities to enable your students to thrive both in their recovery and academic pursuits.