Summit for Sobriety

Let’s not take for granted
That friendly little deed
Of the kindly neighbor
Who recognized our need.

Let’s not take for granted,
The sunshine and the rain,
The peace that enfolds us
The day that’s free from pain.

Let’s not take for granted
The loyalty and smiles
Of one who’s walked beside us
These many weary miles.

Let’s not take for granted
These gifts that smooth our way;
Instead let’s express
Our gratitude each day.

-Dora L. King

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Our Story

Summit for Sobriety was born out of experiences at Gray Wolf Ranch, a residential treatment program in the Pacific Northwest. While at Gray Wolf, co-creators Andy and Tommy were opened up to the endless possibilities of a life of recovery. “When we first got to Gray Wolf we were hopeless. However, we were given a chance to see that a life of recovery was possible. I needed time to see that this is what I wanted”, says Tommy.

Today, the two believe that they owe a debt of gratitude to Gray Wolf, which is where the idea of Summit for Sobriety was born. “How can you give back to a place that’s saved your life? Our lives today, what we are doing now, we owe it all to the people who have helped us. Without them it was too much for us.”

Andy and Tommy met within their first week clean and sober and have been close friends ever since. “Tommy is the best friend that I have ever had”, says Andy. Much like climbing a mountain, their recovery journey has not always been smooth. “There have been times, especially early on, that we both struggled. Without each other, we might not have made it this far.”

Throughout the course of treatment, Andy and Tommy noticed the economic disparity among patients. “We learned that alcoholism and addiction is a disease that doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all race, class, gender, sexual identity, and socio-economic background”, said Andy. “However, our friends in treatment were just like us, products of mid to upper class families that could afford the help we were getting.”

The two finalized plans for Summit for Sobriety over a mid-night burrito. The conversation started with a simple question, “what do we do now?” In an effort to give back, to repay the debt that they owe, Andy and Tommy launched Summit for Sobriety the following day. “We could have waited; we could have played it safe. However, this whole project, it just felt like it was what we were supposed to be doing. It felt like the next right thing.”

Today, the two are both joyful students at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, where they are members of StepUP, a unique collegiate recovery community. They both carry GPA’s over 3.5 and are active members of the recovery community, regularly speaking at treatment centers, detoxifications units, and local schools.