On Saturday, August 8th, Union Station Homeless Services’ alumni gathered for their annual picnic at Altadena’s Farnsworth Park.
The event was a fun-filled day of music, games, raffles, mouth-watering barbecue and warm fellowship. And while the attendees looked like any other group coming together for a day of fun, the annual Alumni Picnic is much more than that. It has become a sort of family reunion for people who have shared the journey of bravely rebuilding their lives. Union Station alumni embrace this gathering each year as a special time to reconnect and celebrate their accomplishments.
As they shared their stories during the 12-Step meeting that is the traditional start of the picnic, alumni explained how their lives had changed as the result of the support they received at Union Station. John* recounted his six-year journey from being homeless, addicted, and hopeless to becoming a family man with a good job who is able to give back to his community and to Union Station. He and his wife now help plan Union Station’s annual Alumni Picnic.
Our alumni are people whose appreciation of life comes from nearly having lost everything. Now they make it their mission to live life to the fullest and to help others do the same.
*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
