Justin’s Place holds annual recovery graduation ceremony

Reporter: Lauren Leslie Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
Justin’s Place graduation ceremony. (Credit: WINK News)

The annual Justin’s Place Recovery Program graduation is a celebration of hope and renewal. On Thursday, 24 people are celebrated how far they’ve come from addiction and substance abuse.

The 24 men and women who have been on a year-long journey took the next step in their recovery from addiction. They are now graduates of Justin’s Place, a community of nearly 700 who together are on the road to redemption.

“I was on the verge of death,” said Dustin Cheatwood, who is now looking to the future. “I have freedom and peace and happiness which I never had before.”

Justin’s Place helps people break the bonds of addiction. “There’s a lot of emotion from us who do this work just to see the impact of someone’s transformation in their photos knowing that that is somebody’s mother, father,” said Ray Steadman. “To see what their life used to be and see their life now going forward is very humbling to be a part of the process.”

Graduations mark significant milestones, but words of caution come from this event’s pastor, who told the graduates, “Cold, wet blankets are coming.”

“There are trials and tribulations, there are obstacles there is days that I don’t want to get up but God,” said Susan Cheatwood.

The work of God transforming the graduate’s 24 lives. Twenty-four people who are now on the life-long journey of recovery.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.