2212 E Osborn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-248-0368 THE REN REVIEW For the peers, by the peers I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of Hope and joy is alive as we cel- Upcoming July Events him.” ebrate independence in July!! – Abraham Lincoln As we head into record temper- The heat is on in Phoenix and it’s atures we hope everyone is staying hydrated, safe and cool. dry. Please use caution around Friendly reminder, if you are fireworks and also dispose of interested in joining the REN fires and cigarettes safely. Here’s So let freedom ring from the News Team please be sure to to July! prodigious hilltops of New touch base with Chelsea and/or Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of Jen A. The REN News team will New York. Let freedom ring be meeting on Tuesdays in the from the heightening Alleghe- Computer Lab from 9:00am- nies of Pennsylvania! Let free- 11:30am. We are always look- dom ring from the snow ing for new ideas, a fresh per- capped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the spective, fun stories of hope, art curvaceous peaks of Califor- work, pictures, journalists, and nia! But not only that; let a range of other fun articles to freedom ring from Stone be written by members like Mountain of Georgia! Let free- you, so please stop in and say dom ring from Lookout Moun- tain of Tennessee! Let free- hi! dom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let July : freedom ring.” – Martin Luther King Jr. Encanto park pool July 7th REN’s Big Overnight Adventure Be the change that July 10 — 11th you wish to see in the St. Vincent Volunteering world July 13th — Gandhi Museum of Science If you judge people July 17th Encanto park pool you have no time July 28th St. Vincent Volunteering to love them. July 20th — Mother Teresa Project Open Sky St. Vincent Volunteering July 23—25th July 27th When the power of love overcomes the To Sign up for REN Events go to love of power the world will know www.renaz.org, select * services and events to register! peace — Jimi Hendrix Volume , Issue What does it mean to be an American? “It may not be perfect but it is better “It means having the freedom than anywhere else. We have free- to enjoy happiness and taking dom, opportunities and the ability to the responsibility to keep it see happiness.” - Hans M that way.” - Janelle T “Being an American means being Being an American means that I am thankful for the many freedoms that I in the greatest country in the world. have. These are freedoms won by My parents immigrated to the U.S. many veterans, past and present.” from Ecuador. Due to this country, they were able to live the American - Monte M Dream. I am grateful for my freedom and appreciate those who have sacri- ficed for other’s freedom.” - An American is to be able to express Nelly who I am as a person and believe as I do and keep my traditional values Being an American has to do without persecution. It also means with a lot of forgiveness, privi- lege and gratitude. I don’t that the every day person has the pow- know if it has to do with the er to make a difference and be able to mental health struggles I grew defend family and liberty - Matt up with or just a severe lack of maturity but, I used to despise the government and being born in this country. I thought it was just a taker. I was I have freedom of choice, Free- ashamed to be American. The dom to worship my God; and irony was that I did not realize can act it out. - Steven the very reason I was not liv- ing in utter misery in a ditch somewhere or possible execut- I stand up for my country. I ed for some of the things I had am grateful for my rights as done was because of the ex- a woman and freedom of tent to witch the principles speech. - Emily this country was founded on are a different reflection of the profonde value for human life and the hope that is perpetual- ly anchored in the future of a day that is better than today. - Anonymous Recovery Recipes INGREDIENTS • 1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped Here at REN, we LOVE food! The Recovery • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and Recipes column is a space where we will share rinsed the fun recipes that we often try and share here • 1 tomato, diced at REN. Please submit your favorite recipes to • 1 small cucumber, diced the REN News Team! The recipe that we are • 1 small red pepper, diced featuring this month is perfect for June, it's • 1/2 small red onion, diced healthy and can be shared with Dad for Fa- • 3/4 cup chopped kalamata olives ther’s Day. • 3/4 cup feta crumbles DRESSING: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning • 1/2 teaspoon salt INSTRUCTIONS • Add dressing ingredients to a large bowl and whisk until combined. Next, add all re- Mediterranean Chopped maining chopped salad ingredients to the Salad bowl and stir until everything is mixed to- gether. Inspirational Quotes Uplift your spirit by checking out the positive quotes submitted by REN members and staff! These quotes are sure to keep you motivated and in good spirits here at REN & at home! Enjoy and be sure to share with friends. Creative Writing Here at REN we have the opportunity to attend a variety of groups run by won- derful staff. One of my personal favorites is Creative Writing. It keeps me on my toes and stretches my mind each week. The person who facilitates the Creative Writing group was once a member at REN, now an employee; it was his favorite group. Crea- tive Writing can be a coping skill used to help with racing thoughts and also a form of self expression; for some it is a voice. At this Creative Writing corner this gives mem- bers the opportunity to share their work. A Mother’s Love Far from Home I’m just about to finish my piece. I know "Okay everyone. Group is getting started. Recov- I’ve done good. I’ve set my soul at ease ery Empowerment Network has a new member and my spirit free as the music has taken this morning. me over. That’s not a strange feeling for His name is Monte. He was at the Phoenix, Arizo- me. It’s been that way since I was lit- na location for over two years and he plans to tle. I smile to myself as I finish quiet and spend about six months with us", Rog- strong. I live alone and I use my music to er said. fill the loneliness and emptiness of my "Thank you for the applause and kind welcome to apartment. So you can imagine my heart this REN location. Everyone has been so nice to skipped about 100 beats when I heard me here. I look forward to my stay with all of someone clapping from behind me. “I you," Monte replied. always did love that song.” The spirit of A few hours later, Monte found himself singing my mom faced me as I whirled around on the song, "Dance With My Father" during the the piano bench. “Thanks. I played it in karaoke group. Each time he sang that song he honor of you.” “I know. That’s why I’m thought of his dad who passed away on August 18, here.” “I miss you so much.” “Well, I’m 2052. Although three years had passed, Monte around you more than you realize and I still missed his father. Monte usually visited his will always be as long as you need gravesite on the anniversary of his death, but me.” Tonight I feel close to my this year Monte would be over 255 miles away mom. Tonight I feel her love. It’s a nice, from it. welcome switch from her anger and my Monte looked at the new REN location and his fear when she was alive. “Stay with me new living arrangements as an adventure. His bed- until I fall asleep, please.” “Okay. Just room had an awesome view of the Moon. If he lay your head on my lap.” I drift off into walked to the opposite side of Alpha Station, his sweet dreamland. When I wake up, my view of the Earth was beyond beautiful. head is resting on a soft pillow. There’s The six months quickly passed and Monte was a note next to it. “I’m sorry I was sick singing "Mamma Mia" during Friday's karaoke before. I’m better group back on Earth. This song was one of his now.” - Janelle dad's favorites. Monte Sr. and Jr. loved a lot of the same music. Monte Jr. kept track of all the songs he sang, just like his father did back in the 2020's. It was very obvious that they were fa- ther and son. - Monte M. Member Spotlight Trisha Talks GM: When did you start writing poetry and what attracted you to it? Dear Trisha, JT: I would like to thank my mom for my writing skill my mom was I am a gay male.