Coffee, Pizza, and a Whole Lot of Heart: Family Day at WisHope

There’s something special about a room full of people who showed up for each other. Last Saturday, that’s exactly what we got on one of our Family Days — coffee in hand, donuts on the table, filled with heart.

Cassie, WisHope’s Director of Outreach, kicked things off with a warm welcome, letting everyone know what the morning was all about: a chance for families to understand recovery and relapse a little better, and a chance for clients in recovery to share their stories with the people who love them most.

First up was Nancy, a mom whose son is in recovery. She spoke from the heart about what it’s like to love someone through addiction — the fear, the hope, and everything in between — and reminded everyone in the room that family members are on their own recovery journey too.

And also Paul, Clinical Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), who took the floor for a full hour. He talked openly about his own path, what relapse potential really looks like, and the work he does helping others find their footing. He has a way of making hard topics feel approachable, and by the end, it felt less like a lecture and more like a conversation among friends.

In between, the room stayed easy and welcoming — pizza came out, coffee kept flowing, and clients and family members swapped their own stories, some sharing out loud for the very first time. Lots of laughter, a few tears, and plenty of hugs.

Why Family Shows Up

Addiction touches the whole family, not just the person in recovery. Parents, partners, siblings — they’re all carrying something too, and often don’t know quite what to do with it. Days like this help close that gap, giving families real tools and real understanding, and reminding them they’re not walking this alone either.

Hearing from Nancy and Paul back to back gave everyone a fuller picture — what it’s like to love someone in recovery, and what it’s like to live in recovery yourself. Two different seats at the same table, and both mattered.

Moving Forward, Together

Family Day is a good reminder that recovery isn’t a solo project. Every story shared, every question asked over a slice of pizza, every hug in the hallway — it all adds up to the kind of support that makes lasting recovery possible.

Thank you to everyone who came out, to Cassie for leading the morning, and to Nancy and Paul, and other guests in recovery, for sharing their stories so generously. We’re really looking forward to the next one.

If you would like to talk to someone about recovery, just call us at 844-WIS-HOPE, or click here for our pre-screen application.

And if you would like to share your story of recovery, please reach out. You can SHARE YOUR STORY HERE.