Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center

What I've gotton out of Above and Beyond, they have a lot of resources and support, counseling, meetings, coping skills, and stay connected. How to live a proper life. And I love Above and Beyond. I am a graduate of the program and now I am a mentor here. They also have GED classes and to move forward into a better life for yourself.

Hello, My name is David E Lodor, and the people at Above and beyond, put so much time and effort into me I cannot afford to not listen to the time and help I have been getting. They truely have shown love and respect on every level of empathy, I learned so much here I cannot, go backwards ever but, forwards in my path of life.

I came to Above and Beyond through Thaddeus who is a long-time friend and I worked for him as an HIV counselor. He said "do you remember when we were kids and we could go to the rec center and play all day? well, I have a place like that for recovery." So, he put me in his car and took me there. I was amazed. It didn't look like a place that handled substance use. I rode here, graduated from the program, became an alumni and a mentor and I have been hired as a custodian. This place is like coming home! It is also filled with hope because the people who work here don't come here for just a job. They actually care about us and the clients. I would recommend this place to anyone who is dealing with mental health issues and substance use issues. Like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, There is no place like home. And that is what Above and Beyond is like: coming home.

Three years ago, I, Joseph Mahboub, was introduced to above and beyond through an inpatient program. I found me a sponsor and a counselor here, did any groups that were offered to me here. The groups really changed my way of thinking and put a desire in me to live a life of sobriety. Whether that is kept 100% or not, this place has put a desire in me to live a life that was hard to live before and has given me a new group of friends to share this life with.

Above and Beyond was a life changing experience. My daily walk and talk is in all aspects went from negative to positive . I look at myself differently. Thanks to the wonderful staff and the groups that are offered. The atmosphere is very friendly and i appreciate the one on one sessions . There is no other place like this that I know of that offer the things that go on here. I am glad to be part of the family!

Above and beyond to me is the best place for me at the time of my life even though i wasn't and active user my thoughts and mental state wasn't at the stage of a person who had been absent from the use of drugs for many many years. this place taught me to train my thoughts and the way i conducted myself to began to better myself. this facility don't focus on the substance we educate you on the addiction the word addiction. which is not just drugs. per se if i was asked would i campaign and refer anyone to above and beyond i would say yes hands down.

my experience with the program has been a VARY ENLIGHTEN ONE I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OR ANYONE COULD bring me to light but after my time here ive learn a lot about myself and how to deal with me so all in all its truly great.

When you walk into Above and Beyond, you automatically feel at home and the space is a place you can truly recover in. . There are not a lot of places like Above and Beyond that focus so much on the atmosphere to make you feel that your recovery is possible. A & B is also very supportive from the staff to the people in recovery and makes people have a fighting chance at success toward recovery. As a volunteer, I highly recommend people to volunteer, be served as a client, or work with A & B in any capacity they can.

A&B has such an important mission of providing innovative addition treatment to the poor, uninsured, and many who are homeless!!

GREAT org, GREAT team, & the CLOZTALK team is honored to call A&B our partner!!

& I am personally so honored to serve on the board!

CLOZTALK team
>> Jonny Imerman, co-founder

I've been to many recovery centers and this is an unprecedented establishment. From the warm greetings to the careful temperature checks I felt welcome and safe. The friendly competence of the staff made them feel more like old friends. The variety of programs offered was amazing. I've not only begun to address issues that will ultimately save my life, they also have breakfast burritos and smoothies. Annddd... It's... Alll... Free...

Having the opportunity to volunteer at such a welcoming, inclusive and supportive atmosphere has changed the way I view recovery. With warm staff members and a group of individuals working to better themselves, Above and Beyond offers so many ways to assist all that walk through the door. 10/10 recommend the facility!

I've personally been to many recovery centers. This one is different all the best ways. Such a welcoming and capable atmosphere. And there's a guy making breakfast burritos and smoothies!

I am truly grateful for above and beyond. I don't know where I would be if it didn't exist. It changed the way I perceive myself, others, and the world. The change starts with you. I would recommend this program to anyone.

I have been to many treatment programs in my time in and out of recovery, and none have come close to this one. The way the program is arranged is vary accommodating and tailored to each individual. The staff is friendly and have a genuine care for the clients. Whether you are new to recovery or have been to other programs you will find something helpful here.

Great atmosphere and as a volunteer, I really enjoy the opportunity to learn and connect with individuals. The organization is very well run and the clients are so happy to be given this space in the community

I do not believe there i enough time or space to say every thing that can and should be said about this place. Ive struggled off and on for close to 30 years to get a grip on the disease of addiction to no avail then I came to A & B. Unlike any other place there has ever been and what I believe the main difference is, has to be the ENTIRE staff is 100% genuine about recovery. I honestly believe they work here because they are sincere about the cause, the problem itself, and a way solve the problem. For the first time in 30 years I am sober. COMPLETELY. They saved my life, and Im forever grateful. THANK YOU A&B, and GOD for A&B!!!

I'm very Grateful for Above and Beyond ! From the time I entered the door, I had a feeling of Safety. I was Accepted for who I am and was shown different paths to Recovery. The Staff was Friendly, Helpful, and Courteous. Thanks A & B !

Above and Beyond Recovery is not just for addicts but for those who have dealt with other traumas in their life. They helped me deal with those traumas and I am very grateful for that. Above and Beyond has the greatest staff workers that do care for all of us. I recommend this incredible place if you are looking for help to a new healthy start in your life.

I am a success story of Above and Beyond. It is state of the art and has the widest arrangement of groups I've seen in three states. They truly support "harm reduction" and "multiple pathways to sobriety". I earned my CADC am also now an employee here and couldn't be happier! Best environment ever!!

Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center is a true God-send. A wonderful and amazing place, where they truly go above and beyond to help make change available

A fundamental assumption that comes with the designation, non-profit, is SERVICE. This non-profit upholds that commitment to service in every fiber of their agency. Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center serves the community with complete acceptance of the diversity, history, and beliefs of those they serve. This complete acceptance and application of helping modalities is unique in a field dominated with dogmatic approaches. Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center is the model that works!

The Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center is warm, welcoming, comfortable and beautifully decorated. The staff and volunteers are highly educated, knowledgeable and compassionate . Above and Beyond offers a variety of modalities to serve the many needs of a diverse clientele.

This group serves a population often ignored or underestimated by society. Above and Beyond is true to their name. They provide a treatment program just as good, if not better, as any for profit treatment center.

I continue to be impressed with the way Above and Beyond provides care to clients. I love that we have such an amazing facility in Chicago where people who are often denied quality care are able to get wonderful treatment. I will continue to support the organization and their good work!

Love the facility's holistic offerings and treatment options as opportunities for improvement. Staff are amazing, no one judges you. They care for every single individual walking in and ready to help. Above and Beyond is one of a kind treatment facility and work environment. the ambiance of the agency is so positive and you feel calm the minute you walk in. You feel surrounded by family. Above and Beyond is the best place to retrieve treatment. You will not be disappointed.

In a day of unparalleled addictions and challenges, Above and Beyond continues to pioneer treatments that go beyond the 12 step models (which don't always work for low income folks), and they do so in a way that treats people with the dignity that every person deserves. Love them!

Above and Beyond FRC is a transformational haven for anyone struggling with addiction. From the moment you walk through the doors you can feel a rush of positive energy and inspiration flow through your body.

One thing that sets them apart is their innovative approach to recovery. The center starts with helping clients uncover their unique purpose and meaning in life. It offers them a myriad of solutions to get them from where they are to where they want to be. These solutions are not quick fixes but rather sustainable lifestyle changes.

Incorporating a full body/mind therapeutic experience, clients are empowered and energized to live the life they want and deserve. One such example are the holistic health offerings and such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation and even a fitness group. Addressing the physical wellness of the clients provides clients with an extra sense of strength to endure the mental/emotional hardships that they encounter along their journeys.

By fusing cutting edge science with proven traditional modalities, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center is truly a Great Nonprofit making a massive impact on the world!

My day job is spent observing and consulting for addiction treatment centers across the country. I can honestly say that Above and Beyond is one of the best in the country. We have a unique, innovative clinical program that provides completely free services to some of the city's most disadvantaged residents at a standard above even the most expensive programs in the country.

When I walk into our center, I'm always amazed at the smiles and positivity of clients both currently in the program and who've already graduated, but come back to mentor or just visit.

I am extremely proud to serve such an exemplary organization and encourage anyone in the Chicago area to stop by and see what we're doing.

Above and Beyond is an Outstanding and unique advance in the treatment of addiction. The fact that it is being provided to the homeless at no charge is very special.

I've been leading a regular yoga group for Above and Beyond for the last three years. After years of working in many different non-profits agencies as a social worker, I can honestly say that the approach that this organization applies to its work with clients is one of the most person-centered, compassionate I've witnessed. I regularly get to witness clients who walk through the door with a sense of skepticism relax into the supportive, respectful community we have at Above and Beyond. Additionally, leadership has been nothing but open to new ideas and ways of working, which has allowed us to be truly holistic and innovative.

I wasintroduced to Above and Beyond thru my friend by being invited to their annual Gala/dinner. I was not prepared to hear the stories(I happen to have the good fortune of being seated next to one of the gentlemen featured in their promo trailer shown at the dinner).
I then was invited on a tour to see it for myself. I am a devoted fan ever since and cannot say enough great things about the transformational work they are doing.

I have been cooking and making food for this place for over a year now and I can tell you that the people who work here are the best people in the world. They care about you and stop and talk with you and pay attention to what you are saying even if it is garbage. We have a kitchen here but it is on the second floor so I have to carry it downstairs everyday but I do not even care because it is worth it. Everything is free here so nobody has to pay so even the food is free. I haven't seen nothing like this and I have been out on the street for almost my whole life and I have seen it all. If you have a drug or alcohol problem you should come here.

I went to high school with the Executive Director of this outfit and he has not changed since I knew him then. He is funny, hard-working, inspirational, and does stuff that nobody else thinks of doing. I have known him for a long time now, and have visited this nonprofit quite a few times as well, and they are really great. I notice things like the employees are always happy and jump into help. They have helped me a lot even though I don't have a substance abuse problem, just mental problems, haha!

This is my family. I never had a family like this before. I come here because of laughing and people busting on each other in a way like I hear d of before. This place got me sober and noplace else did that. I know I did that but nobody helped me like Herman or Kyle, and that is the only reason I keep coming back. The love here is unbelievable. I will keep c oming back.

I worked here over a year ago and have never been able to put this place out of my head since. I had the best time I have even had in my life even though there was a lot of confusion and turmoil at the time. We were changing a lot of staff that should never had been hired and substituting them for highly licensed and educated staff. It was a tough time, but the management knew what they wanted and they made it happen. Now I read about how the level of the staff is so remarkably high and I wish I would not have left. The systems they use are remarkable and I have never seen anything like it anywhere else.

I came to work here after walking in the front door and falling in love with it at first sight! It is the most beautiful place ever, and it is nothing like the other clinics that I have worked at. Then, I discovered that the beautiful decor is not the most amazing attribute . . . it's the staff and the programs they offer! Wow, what an experience of a lifetime and I would never change the time that I spent here for anything in the world. I have seen more good done here, in my one year, than I have seen in my previous ten years as a clinician! I am not kidding!

I spent my practicum here and learned about how compassion, competence, and innovative healing can have more of an impact on people with addictions than all the twelve step meetings in the world! It has been an eye-opener and I feel like my vision for my career path is now a lot clearer than it was when I arrived. The teamwork here is incredible and you learn to really rely on those around you. I had never had an opportunity to really experience that before. The high level of ability that the permanent staff has is mind-boggling. The Executive Director is behind the scenes inventing all of this stuff I guess, but the way it comes out is very holistic and natural. Nothing is forced here and nobody drops through the cracks. I love this place!

I have been a part of Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center since day one! We here at Above and Beyond treat each client with the most up to date treatments available. Our facility is completely free, regardless of your ability to pay. We truly do go above and beyond for our clients and community.

Above and Beyond has and still is a life changing experience. My daily walk and talk is in all aspects went from negative to positive . I look at myself differently. Thanks to the wonderful staff and the groups that are offered. The atmosphere is very friendly and i appreciate the one on one sessions . There is no other place like this that I know of that offer the things that go on here. I am glad to be part of the family!

I came here because I needed help and I got it! Now I am more than one year without getting drunk and I have a job. I never had that before but now these peoples have helped me gat ahold of my life. They care about you here. They are nice to you here. Nobody would help me before because I could not pay. Not these people. They are the best.

Above and Beyond's name is truly fitting; everything done here is a step above and beyond the rest. During my time here, I have experienced unparalleled support from my peers and fellow staff members, a fully welcoming environment, and nothing but complete passion for helping others. I have seen clients walk through the door, hesitant and wary to be in treatment. By the time they leave here, they are smiling, laughing, and have a sense of pride about the progress they have made. The mission is never compromised and though no two days are the same, I always leave happy at the end of the day.

I highly recommend Above and Beyond to anyone who needs some help, or anyone who would simply like to witness a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment.

The whole experience I have had at the A/B center has been wonderful and I have learned how to control my emotions and behaviors through the REBT groups and SMART meetings. Everyone who works there are kind,respectful, and give you the tools that help you help yourself, without PUSHING ANYTHING on you that you don't agree with.

Above and Beyond is the best outpatient treatment center in the city of chicago! The staff is amazing and the clients are like a breath of fresh air. They love the different types of services offered to them like music therapy, and accupunture therapy. This place is amazing!

Above and Beyond is an amazing place to work. I am grateful to be a part of the team here at Above and Beyond. In the short time I have been at this place I learn so much from the clients and I am passionate about what I can offer the client in order for the client to move forward in their lives. I am grateful to be here making a difference in the lives of others.

Above and Beyond creates an atmosphere that is not only beautiful aesthetically but invites individuals to come in and share in a recovery environment that is not rigid in how treatment is "supposed" to be.

A&b has different means of helping men and women learn and sustain sobriety. for the first time in my life I'm able to see living my life with out the use of drugs or alcohol.A&b accommodates and covers all that's needed for those who want to recover.Theres AA, Rebt,and Smart recovery methods.All of which leads to sustainable sobriety.My life has changed for the better from attending groups and fellowshiping with A&B staff and clients my deepest thanks.

Above and Beyond is differently a second home for a majority of our clients. Not only do they cater to the clients needs, but they go that extra mile too ensure quality services for all walks of life! Their treatment plan is designed to help the client's here navigate toward a successful goal. As a Intern here at AnB, I can say that I'm proud to be a part of this exciting journey!

I have notice that sense I been here at Above and Beyond I have learn a lot and I feel that at the clients can benifit from this program and it would be a great place to work.

I am a recovering alcoholic and addict. I am approaching 90 days clean & sober as of Monday, March 27th, 2017.

Life as I knew it was forever changed on Wednesday, December 28, 2016... That was the day I decided I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. That was the day I decided I was going to get clean and stay clean for the rest of my life. That day I brought myself to Haymarket Center in Chicago, IL. I completed 8 days in their Women's Medically Monitored Detox Program and then moved forward in my recovery process and completed an additional 45 days in their treatment program, T.W.L. ("Transforming Women's Lives"). Upon completion and certification of treatment I was accepted into Haymarket's Women's Residential Recovery Home, "Sangamon House".

As a resident of "Sangamon House" I am required to complete 75 hours of additional addiction treatment through an I.O.P. ("Intensive Out-Patient") program. Naturally, Haymarket Center, attempts to send all in-house recovery home residents to their own I.O.P. program. Unfortunately, prior to moving into "Sangamon House" I found out my insurance was not accepted by HMC.
After finding out I wouldn't be able to continue my recovery treatment at HMC I became disappointed. I was told by my Recovery Coach she had found a facility off-site for me to complete my I.O.P. So it was with an open mind and an open heart I headed to Above & Beyond Family Recovery Center in Chicago, IL for my initial Intake & Assessment to begin treatment there.

My initial disappointment was immediately nullified! From the very minute I walked through the front doors of Above & Beyond I was embraced and welcomed by the staff & counselors and comforted by the warm atmosphere their facility offers. This recovery center is by far the best therapeutic environment I have ever encountered in all the years I have been seeking help!

Above & Beyond Family Recovery Center offers individualized treatment to anyone in need regardless of economic status. They currently offer a wide-array of therapeutic groups which include, but are not limited to: Acupuncture, Anger & Rage Management, E.F.T., R.E.B.T., Trauma, Women's Issues & Yoga. There is something for everyone and in every group I've attended I have found someone or something I could relate to and help me in my recovery.

The counselors & staff at Above & Beyond are warm, friendly and loving and make me feel at home every single day that I have been here for the past month or so. After only my first week there I asked if I would be able to continue attending groups upon completion of my I.O.P.! I was told by my Counselor, Trisha, "Once you are part of the Above & Beyond family you are always a part of the family... Keep coming back!"

In addition to therapeutic groups and counseling Above & Beyond also provides special resources for clothing, employment, housing & life skills. They also conveniently offer daily AA and Smart Recovery Meetings - Monday through Friday. There's always a friendly staff member or counselor available to help me any time I need help or have a question. Their list of resources & services seems endless! When they haven't been able to help me they have gone out of their way to find someone who could!

Above & Beyond has changed my life! I know what I want to do with the rest of my life and where I need to be now! The counselors & staff have helped to encourage me into the next steps of my recovery - 1.) Where I want to be in a year of my recovery, 2.) What I want to do for a career and 3.) How I am going to do it. I am not only inspired by the counselors and the staff at Above & Beyond, but also by all the clients. Everyone who walks through the doors at Above & Beyond come from all different backgrounds and walks of life. I am surrounded by so much individuality and diversity at this facility it amazes me every single day I am there!

Above & Beyond has inspired me to go back to school at 39 years old. I am now determined to obtain a degree in Social Work and Counseling, where it is my intention to use it to become an Addictions Specialist and/or a Substance Abuse Counselor someday in the not too far off future. I am now also interested in learning more about obtaining certifications for facilitating a variety of therapeutic groups and meetings.

Above & Beyond opened the door to my recovery and is making it possible for me to make all my dreams come true. I love being a part of this place! I love knowing that without a doubt I now have a future. I love knowing that being a part of this place makes a difference in other's lives. Above & Beyond has made a difference in my life and continues to do so everyday. I am forever a part of the family at Above and Beyond and my life will forever be better because of it!

Michelle Kieca
Client, Above & Beyond Family Recovery Center - Chicago, IL

Above and Beyond assists those in need with the skills that are conducive to embark on new lives! It's not just a name they chose for the organization; the faculty as well as staff members literally go above and beyond to create an environment that is warm and inviting and makes everyone feel as though they are a part of a family. Above and beyond is a special kind of place where you are given a genuine opportunity to learn, leave, and launch! I am honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of that.

Above and Beyond is probably one of the best treatment facilities that i have ever been to. They care about the people they help, and want nothing more then to be a tool for their success. I cant explain the gratitude that i have for that place and every one in it. Thank you so much for helping me get on track Above and Beyond. You guys are the best.

Yes, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center, far exceeds expectations! From the generous, kind and courteous staff, to the amazing warm ambiance of the facility, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center is a place that makes you feel like family. There is always a smile on someone's face. The clients are happy and are very comfortable mingling with each other and the staff. This is truly a place that cares about its employees, and is very passionate about the services they provide to the community and their clients. I have only worked here a short while and I can say that I am very impressed. I have worked in many corporations with various cultures and I can honestly say, that Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center is at the top of the Five-Star list of great nonprofit companies!

Well from the time i walked in the door it was an amazing experience, the staff was warm and inviting as well as genital. Each staff i encountered was pleasant and attentive. the ED is well knowledgeable to the needs of the clients. I enjoyed the space it was very pretty and enjoyable. It is an amazing place to be and I love it.

I cant believe that they provide us with service the way they do. I was treated with respect day in and day out. They helped me look for jobs, create a resume, and apply for housing. I completed 25 hours of treatment which is called out-patient. They provide us with coffee (good coffee, lol) breakfast in the morning, and a hot lunch after group in the afternoon. The staff is friendly and smart. I hope that they continue to grow because everyone should have a chance to go there if they struggle with drug addiction.

The staff, service, and atmosphere are not like anything i have ever experienced before. I was a client a couple months back and i can honestly say that because of the encouragement and expertise they gave me i will stay sober and change my life. I have been clean now for 11 months and i expect to keep going. I want to thank everyone there, Brenda, Kyle, Dan, and everyone else because without them i dont know where i would be today. Thank you guys so much.

This is as good as it gets. The people here lover you.

Above and Beyond a place where not only the patients that we serve are allowed to change their lives, but so do the staff. I come in to work everyday and i see miracles, people who once were degenerates to the rest of the world, have now become respectable well spoken members of a family. I work primarily in the administration department which is awesome because i am learning how to become a manager as well as a clinician which is useful since i want to be a clinical director of a substance abuse center one day. My career has just started and thats all because of the chance that Above and Beyond granted me 6 short months ago. Today i am a Certified Associate Addictions Professional, as well as a certified SMART recovery facilitator. Honestly a year ago i wouldn't have even believed someone if they told me this is where i would be now. Every single coworker i have is amazing, the clinical director is one of the most down to earth humble people i have ever met and i consider him a friend. It hasn't been easy but with the guidance of my coworkers, i am now on the path i knew i could be on.

I don't know how to put my experience so far into words because i'm in shock every single day that i am living this life, but i want everyone to know that i wont ever look back now and i owe a lot of what i know and will know to everyone who has made such a big impact on me at work. I still cant believe that i'm a part of something so amazing and so big. Gosh i love my life today.