Despite Threatening Weather, Nexus Recovery Center Cuts The Ribbon For New Adolescent Dormitory

Nexus Recovery Center just can’t a break when it comes to weather. When they unveiled the billboard promoting its capital campaign, the wind was so over the top that arrangements had to be re-arranged. Instead of going up to the billboard, the speakers were just raised to below the base of the board. As for the unveiling itself, well, it took on the appearance of a major kite flight. But still the message got across.

Tuesday the Nexus folks were confronted with another Mother Nature temper tantrum as 35-plus mph winds were joined by severe thunderstorm watches. Not exactly a dream situation for the ribbon-cutting for a new, much-needed dormitory. It was decided to move the whole affair indoors.

So guests like Nicole Blythe, Jan Osborn, Robin Bagwell, and Linda and Steve Ivy crowded into the entry of the Nexus campus’s entry to register and chat. Eventually they moved to the cafeteria, where seats were quickly filled and it quickly became SRO with young residents wearing purple Nexus T-shirts and khakis.

As blue and green balloon towers, which would have been toast outdoors, were placed on either side of the standing mic, Nexus Executive Director Becca Crowell and Board

VP Jan Madigan welcomed and told of the years of dreams that had finally become reality thanks to many people in the room.

Next Steve Saxon, who had noticed that the balloons were blocking the view of some in the room, relocated the towers and thanked the individuals and organizations that had made the dorm a reality. The last named was “Anonymous,” whom he asked to stand. Looking around the room, no one was seen to stand. Deadpanning, Steve said, “I guess ‘Anonymous’ wants to stay that way.”

Then it was on to the dormitory for the ribbon cutting. Alas, the event was just too popular crowding the lobby of the dormitory, so many had to stand in the glass entry and were forced to read lips as the ribbon was cut.

But the real purpose of the celebration was not to witness the cutting of a ribbon, or even to have a bite of cake. It was to take a big step in expanding the capabilities of an organization helping women struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.  Unfortunately, among this number are young and in some cases pregnant girls. While they don’t have the years of addiction that some of the adults have experienced, they’re at a major crossroads. This dormitory will allow them to be young and undergo the lifelong road to recovery.

Among this group of youngsters, there are some who are pregnant with the additional challenge of recovery and motherhood. As one person put it, “These are children having children. They’re facing incredible challenges and Nexus is providing the knowledge, support and tools to succeed for their sake and that of their children.”

So, the weather Tuesday may have changed the ribbon-cutting plans for Nexus, but who cares? They’ve got more important things to do, like help girls and women get and stay clean.