STAND , INC . MAGAZINE
O ne Man’s Journey
FEATURE ARTICLE ON SPERLING CHARLES FOUNDER & CEO
A Quiet Country Soul Finds a Peaceful New Home
Stand Inc. Provides Clarity and Vision
Stand Inc. Provides Clarity and Vision
“I was blessed to take on two grandchildren with my wife, and it’s a delight to see one off to college and the other to school every day…we’re good. And it’s a blessing to continue to serve god.” -Kenneth
T he insidious nature of addiction can be powerful. For many of us its damaging stranglehold takes years to break and for far too many of us, that stranglehold is ultimately fatal. In the case of Kenneth S., his struggle was as close to the latter as any of us ever want to stray before he found the tools he needed to break free with the help of Stand Inc. His long, long journey started way back in Willacoochee, Georgia but at age 10 his family made the big move to the big city- Atlanta! A simple country boy at heart, Kenneth nonetheless soon discovered the temptations of the city and by age 25, he’d “graduated” from alcohol to marijuana to crack cocaine. His addiction to crack would lead to degrading years of cycles of incarceration, relapse and then repeat. In May of 2018 after recent release and all alone on the streets once again, he found himself finally “sick and tired of being sick and tired”.
He took it upon himself to enter into a detox program which referred him the “Door” Program (DeKalb Open Opportunities for Recovery), which then opened a door for him to a new world of health, humility, humanity and gratitude. “I was in my 50s and it was my first time in a rehab center but the whole atmosphere was just very positive. And I knew I needed help and all the counselors were there for me.” In addition to living and working at the Stand Inc. “Door” program, Kenneth also rejoined his childhood church, the House of God, and found himself reinspired to follow both his new program and his old faith. Faithfully following his Stand Inc. counselors and attending his church every Sunday, Kenneth soon realigned his life yet remained keenly aware of the everyday dangers of his long, long journey to sobriety.
“Sometimes I’d find myself near the train station where I used to hustle change and get high and I’d see guys just like me doing the same old things I used to do…and it really filled me with a sense of gratitude for where I was at.” But Kenneth was not long for Atlanta and eventually made his way back to humble Willacoochee where at his church he found not only food for the soul, but also a loving wife to share his new life. For him it was a long journey but now he can reflect on the new joys that sobriety has gifted him. “I was blessed to take on two grandchildren with my wife, and it’s a delight to see one off to college and the other to school every day…we’re good. And it’s a blessing to continue to serve god.” And along with his blessings, he also continues to call his counselors at Stand Inc. and check in once a week and/or just give thanks. Because old Kenneth’s eyesight may not be what it once was, however his vision now, remains crystal clear.
A Quiet Country Soul
Finds a Peaceful New Home at
Because help and hope are welcoming for everyone Stand Inc.
W e are all products of our environment. Sometimes our childhood environments help us to grow and sometimes our barren soil keeps us from growing as we should or otherwise might. As a shy, lonely country boy from Macon, Georgia, Harold H. found precious little solace wherever he could with his small family and even smaller Baptist church congregation. Growing up in his small, struggling community Harold encountered his own struggles both socially and academically which eventually led to him—and so many others like him—finding unhealthy outlets for escape. And this eventually led straight to adult cycles of substance abuse and addiction. In February of 2022, after years of solitary struggle Harold somehow managed to see that the lights of Stand Inc. were shining brightly in front of him, although he could hardly imagine he’d be welcome to join. His family was gone, his job lost, his life completely unmanageable, he was no longer able to cope with his own addictions and he wanted to just give up. “My pride was really hurt but somehow I saw that the Doors program really was open and cooperative. In my low state, I’d just never even imagined and certainly never been to such a welcoming environment. I Just couldn’t even believe that a place like Stand existed. Even at that low point I was really inspired.”
Today he proudly shares that he’s found a reliable and healthy daily procedure that works and is more than willing to follow it with the help of Stand Inc’s programs. He’s also found a new focus with the help of a sponsor and is looking forward to getting his life back. But he’s also looking forward to giving back what was so freely given by staying connected, continuing to take suggestions and, harkening back to his Baptist roots- “praying on my next move and anything I can do to help Stand, I’ll be more than willing to.” Harold also remains focused on regaining trust in himself and others, fortifying his patience with himself and others, and remaining grateful and humble as he moves forward. This is perhaps best expressed when he recently shared the favorite part of his day at Stand Inc.- “When the good lord wakes me up in the morning. I’m really appreciative because Stand truly helps those who want to help themselves… and I am a living witness.” And that is a state of clear-eyed grace we could all learn to appreciate as we witness!
W hen the good Lord wakes me up in the morning. I’m really appreciative because Stand truly helps those who want to help themselves…and I am a living witness. -HAROLD H.
O ne Man’s Journey
at Stand Inc.
I t would be difficult to imagine a worst stretch than the most recent years in the life of James S., a grateful Stand Inc. 2021 graduate. With two sudden, traumatic family deaths unexpectedly hammered into the isolation of a global pandemic that socially crippled almost everyone, it’s safe to say that very few of us would welcome even the thought of such tragedy, let alone be forced to deal with its brutal reality. With James’ long history of damaging merry-go-round substance abuse issues followed by brief recovery periods—including a three year period of complete sobriety— followed by even more intense substance abuse episodes, it’s also safe to say he was absolutely unprepared for this sudden, shocking plummet into his own personal abyss. His hard landing at the bottom including loss of livelihood, homelessness, criminal charges and, of course, a self- destructive streak smashing all hope of anything other than his own end. Yet today, in recent conversation, James shared his sincere gratitude and most humble hope for not only his future but also for the future of his entirely new Stand Inc. recovery family- “I was always a loner and although I sometimes saw that a program like AA could work, I could never apply its principles to my own life because I just couldn’t connect, and definitely could never stay connected. But at Stand I found a real sense of belonging and really formed a recovery family here.” As a graduate and continued member of the “Door” (DeKalb Open opportunities for Recovery) Program and Resource Center, James now leads morning reflection meetings and considers this one of his primary directions in life at the moment. He also credits Founder and Executive Director Charles Sperling with simple yet profound words of wisdom that helped him to initially stumble-step through his own first doorway to recovery. “Mr. Sperling just told me, ‘Knowledge without any application has no merit’, and that really resonated deeply with me because I’d always believed I knew what I should do, I just never got around to actually doing it.”
As of this writing James is now actually doing it. Embracing his removal from his formerly self- destructive “comfort zone”, in addition to his service at morning reflections James now looks forward to one day leading his own Big Book study group as a grateful graduate of the program. He’s also grasped one of his most powerful new life lessons as he prepares for a new future that he fully realizes is his to face with grace and gratitude. “For so long shame and guilt were a huge part of my problems, but now I can see that honestly sharing those negative experiences I went through can actually help others who might be going through something similar. I can use this shame and guilt that used to damage me to help others instead of just letting it cripple me.” This is the application of service that Stand Inc. offers to all, and James is one of its most faithful advocates. Or as he put it very simply and honestly-
STAND INC. For All Shared with grace and gratitude by all
REGINALD
A fter years of a hydra-like pandemic, it’s perhaps safe to say we all understand even more that life’s path can be filled with unexpected twists. As a former caseworker devoted to helping others navigate the vast and complex corporate arena of social services, Stand Inc. graduate Reginald is living proof of being most unfortunately blindsided by life’s darkest turns. Having dedicated his professional career to social service, Reginald slipped quietly into his own substance/addiction issues as his ever expanding caseload slowly overwhelmed him until, quite suddenly, as he recently shared- “It seemed like one day I was looking through a window reaching out to help clients, and then the next day I was somehow on the other side of that window…” Of course so many of us can understand the cruel irony of falling into traps we were only just trying to help others avoid but even in his darkest hours Reginald was able to recall one of the most vital lessons of service- Perseverance. With a loss of livelihood, his confidence shattered and his self-esteem hitting bottom all as a result of his substance/addiction issues, Reginald reached out to a friend who referred him to Stand Inc. He then hesitatingly took not just one or two unsteady attempts to make contact but finally—on his third try—managed to gain admission and join not just a new recovery, but a new recovery family. It was this perseverance and his own stoic sense of service that now leads Reginald to a new direction which gifted him with a clear and capable motivation to move forward. His typical day is now filled with a 9 -1 service to and with others followed by his own time at self-healing and self- reflection. He’s also focused and engaged with Stand Inc.’s behavioral health and “Door” programs and is especially keen on “Wellness Wednesday” and its emphasis on health/well-being as he moves forward with renewed confidence and refreshed self-esteem. Recalling his professional skills as well as the new skillsets he’s learned at Stand Inc. as he looks forward to the future, he recently shared- “My goal now is to take the tools and coping skills I do have and redirect that out to the universe, then one day hopefully come back as a success story. I really want to give back to Stand and help others who are still suffering like I was. I want to let them know that we do have a choice.” Yes, Reginald is living proof that our paths can be long and twisted but even as he soberly regards his new road forward he also stays grounded in his new state of grace when he considers- “Every second becomes a minute, every minute becomes an hour, and every hour becomes a day…and my story continues.” And, gratefully, the Stand Inc. story now continues with him.”
“Every second becomes a minute, every minute becomes an hour, and every hour becomes a day…and my story continues.” -REGINALD story continues.”
L eBryan Sperling met people at their worst as a law enforcement professional. He forged that into a skill when he joined STAND, Inc. and allowed understanding to guide him with these souls. Sperling fights stigma and maintains that it’s crucial to heal what makes the addict use. Sperling desires to make an impact by supporting his clients who want to turn their lives around and change their old M.O. He says he struggled with life as a young man, the result of one of his parents, Charles Sperling of STAND, Inc., being an addict. However, it’s not a handicap; it qualifies him to see past the stigma of addiction in his career now. Sperling knows that if the addict truly wants sobriety, STAND, Inc. receives them and helps them. He also serves the family that has longed for their loved one while they were in the throes of addiction. With the title of Chief Operating Officer, Sperling provides support for all of the STAND, Inc. programs. When he’s not helping recovering men re-acclimate to society, he aids in financial service for clients who need assistance, including those facing criminal charges. His own project is facilitating STAND, Inc.’s family violence intervention program. LeBryan Sperling loves and respects his dad and tells his own story as it relates to his dad. He only saw him in passing or heard stories of his dad when he was young. He met the elder Sperling when he was staying in a halfway house when the younger Sperling was six and saw himself, not an addict. “I didn’t see any of those things society saw,” he says, “I just saw my Dad, and he looked like me.” Sperling’s mother raised him, and she and his FIGHTING THE DISEASE Not the Person
grandfather provided support during his early teen years. However, in early high school, he ran with the wrong crowd for a little while and got mixed up in a few skirmishes. He almost wound up on the wrong side of the law but straightened himself out. His mother kept him in church, where he developed a solid spiritual foundation that he relies on today. College at Furman University wasn’t far away, where he played collegiate sports. He furthered his education with law school and joined law enforcement. Finally, he joined STAND, Inc., where he is now. Sperling says STAND, Inc.’s mission is vital because people are hurting. A doctor will give you an x-ray if your arm’s hurting to see where the trouble lies.
“I didn’t see any of those things society saw,” he says, “I just saw my Dad, and he looked like me.”
Sperling wants to find the root of the cause for his clients’ drug use. Clients are now discovering mindfulness techniques and addressing adverse childhood experiences in counseling, among other methods. Sperling says, “What we do is attack the thing that’s causing most of the problems. And that’s not the person. That’s the disease.” When asked about his goals,
Sperling says the desire is to expand STAND, Inc. beyond what it is now. He sees offices across Metro Atlanta and further into other states. Personally, he wants to carry on the work for decades. “The goal is to make sure that it is [around] and not because of who we are, but because it’s necessary to do this work from the heart.”
Serves With Her Gifts Robin Peters
R obin Peters started her professional career with a chip on her shoulder, wanting addicts to pay for their addiction. But what she found was understanding and a love for service. She lost her mother to alcohol addiction when she was young and continues to love her mom through her clients now. Today, as Treatment and Quality Manager at STAND, Inc., Robin has a lot on her plate. She facilitates groups, assessments, as well as individual and family sessions. Also in charge of health and safety compliance, Robin supervises and monitors clinical services for STAND, Inc., assigns caseloads, and coordinates appointments with psychiatrists. She focuses on the whole health of the client. “Seeing the client come in and go through the metamorphosis like a butterfly is beautiful,” she says. Robin’s clients come in with little other than their clothes and become stabilized in the program. Their life and job needs are provided: ID, Social Security card, a job to pay the bills, and more. STAND, Inc. heals them from a holistic perspective. Robin connects with her clients from the beginning to the end result.
As a young girl, Robin wanted to be a high school math teacher. She found her mother died from alcohol addiction at the age of 35. Robin grew up to become a law enforcement officer, entering a fact-finding mission to discover why her mother wouldn’t stop drinking. She blamed the liquor stores for her mom’s death. But it was still too late to save her. Robin needed to be part of the solution. Now, she is part of that solution with her warm, sincere, and positive regard for her clients. Her spirituality helps her carry them. The nurturing and support of Robin’s care are her legacy and, in a way, her gift to her mother. She treats her clients with the same love, kindness, and respect she would give her mother. While her mother was drinking, Robin received support from family, church, and school. She was passionate about sports, particularly basketball. She went into law enforcement, but things changed one day at Perimeter Mall in Atlanta when she was a Mall Detective. Robin noticed that the criminals there were struggling with the disease of addiction. They turned to shoplifting to support themselves. Today, she has been with STAND, Inc. for 13 years. Her life experiences have
Robin Peters is gifted with the ability to care for and serve her clients with distinction. As a vital member of STAND, Inc., she shoulders many responsibilities gracefully. From someone who railed against addiction, she has grown to understand and heal the addicts.
helped Robin structure the goal of developing incoming counselors. She desires to be a coach. Helping these counselors determine if recovery is truly the path for them is what she wants to do, then help them navigate the waters and grow in their careers. Even in retirement, she is called to be a life coach, staying mobile, especially for people who need her services. She says, “When I
leave, I pray that I leave this field better than I found it because the clients have helped me as much as I’ve helped them.”
FROM ROCK BOTTOM T
STAND INC.
To
Charles Sperling’s Story Executive Director
C harles Sperling’s high school English teacher cried when she told him he could achieve anything. It wasn’t until after he’d been in the throes of addiction and fought his way out sober that he recognized his potential. With 34 years of sobriety, he’s the Executive Director of STAND, Inc., where he facilitated groups when it was a fledgling organization. Now, Charles manages investor relations, finds treatment providers, is in charge of the programs his clients attend, and searches for those with field experience to serve on the advisory board. He didn’t start out wanting to be the director of a program like STAND, Inc. As a young teenager, Charles found himself curious about things that he shouldn’t have been; he hung out with the wrong crowd. After trying some drugs, he changed cities twice and wound up in New York. A dark day came when he discovered a friend shooting heroin. “You don’t want this,” the man said. Charles decided he did. On that slippery slope of addiction came bouts in and out of jail with homelessness waiting when he was released. Once back in Atlanta at the VA, he discovered addicts sharing their stories, and they were just like his. Only these addicts were drug-free. Charles wanted that. He decided to dig a deep hole for the deep roots he wanted to grow. He went back to college and later worked with recovering addicts in other programs. Finally, he started his own program, and after receiving his non-profit IRS status paperwork, the state of Georgia granted him a contract for $60,000. The next one out of the gate was from the CDC for formal research. FOUNDER & CEO
“Focus on hope instead of the stigma. Just
because you’re an addict and used at one point doesn’t mean you’ll always use.”
C harles S perling’s story continued
N ow Charles is making an even bigger impact with his award-winning “Work Ready” program that provides recovery support, helping addicts get driver’s licenses, documents they need for work, and more. STAND, Inc. also focuses on clinical work and their recovery programs. With 18 members on the staff, counseling and psychiatric appointments are provided along with the recovery programs. “Focus on hope instead of the stigma. Just because you’re an addict and used at one point doesn’t mean you’ll always use,” he says. Charles points to himself and other clients whom the program has helped as examples. Charles Sperling is a humble man and maintains he isn’t perfect. However, his ups and downs on the road of recovery taught him to weather the storms of his professional life. His goals seem to be both personal and professional, seeking to help more addicts in need. Expanding and replicating STAND, Inc. is his dream: to provide all its services in office locations across metropolitan Atlanta. With a lively wit and a kind word, this man started STAND, Inc. with one other person and turned it into the place of hope it is today. It’s a story that’s the same as many addicts’, his with a happy ending. He tries to give all his clients a chance to have that happy ending, too.
STAND , INC . STAND aspires to be a globally recognized force in creating hope, power, and self-determination for
individuals suffering from complex and compounded social issues and diseases.
For Help Contact Us Today 404.288.4668 standinc.com 3489 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032
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