In recognition of National Recovery Month, THE FIGHT interviews three local community members who have dedicated their lives to being of service
BY MARK ARIEL | PHOTOS BY DUSTI CUNNINGHAM
“I believe we were called to shine in our commitment and serve.”
RJ HOLGUIN / My 12 Step Store
In 2003, I had a design business. It was a successful venture, however, I was 17 years sober at that time, and I wanted to find a way to give back to the recovery community,” says RJ Holguin, the founder of My 12 Step Store in West Hollywood.
“While the recovery community in Los Angeles was large and very strong, it didn’t have a recovery store that celebrated recovery life in a fun and new way of living. So instead of buying a piece of property, I set out to open a 12-step store and named it my12stepstore.com.”
“The goal was to celebrate all 12 step programs for all types of people and communities… My business model has always been giving more than you take, having a good business plan, believing what you’re doing is what you’re called to do, and lots of hard work and faith…”
“As a very unique recovery book and gift store located in the heart of West Hollywood, we ship gifts to friends and loved ones nationwide and Internationally, complete with gift wrap options and greeting card enclosure and a variety of shipping options. Whether it’s addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, love, food, meth, or codependency—to list only a few, we have something for everyone.”
“We are committed to serve and offer an actual store that you can shop in as well as an online store. The store is celebrating 19 years and has never closed, even during the pandemic. We became essential to the recovery world and remained open with all the regulations, I believe we were called to shine in our commitment and serve.”
For more info visit: www.my12stepstore.com.
“What we do matters and I’m trying to change the way this industry operates.”
CHRISTINA SIMOS / Friendly House
Friendly House was founded in 1951 and was the first residential program for women recovering from substance and alcohol abuse.
Christina Simos, the current Executive Director, started out as a resident at the facility.
“Walking into the Friendly House saved my life,” reveals Simos. “I will always be grateful for Peggy Albrecht, who was the Executive Director at the time. She saw something in me that I could no longer see in myself. Her love, her words, her guidance, and love of AA helped me heal.”
“I wanted to work in recovery early on in my sobriety but I didn’t want to go to back to school,” says Simos. “About ten years ago a friend approached me about a job in treatment and I just said yes… I’ve worked just about every job in treatment. I found my passion and voice at La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center.”
“I was asked to oversee admissions and business development at Friendly House in April of 2021. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go back and help the place that saved my life. In January of 2022 I became Executive Director. A full circle moment.”
“I’ve never been this happy,” reveals Simos. “I get to help women from all walks of life find recovery. I also get to address racial inequities and health disparities in historically excluded communities at Friendly House. What we do matters and I’m trying to change the way this industry operates.”
For more info visit: www.friendlyhousela.org
“The board’s role is to make sure people know the sober community is here, while adhering to our traditions.”
MARK DEROSA / West Hollywood Recovery Center & Log Cabin
On April 2022, the historic Log Cabin was saved from demolition when the City of West Hollywood purchased it from the City of Beverly Hills. The West Hollywood Recovery Center took over management to ensure all 90+ weekly 12-step group meetings on N Robertson Blvd continue.
“I had drug and alcohol addictions from my middle school years in New York from the mid-1970s and throughout the 1980s in Los Angeles,” reveals Mark DeRosa, the current Board President of the West Hollywood Recovery Center (WHRC) and Log Cabin.
“My experiences would resonate with those who are sober but may sound a bit less relatable to others who don’t fully understand addiction. I began trying to clean up my act in 1983 with the first DUI but did not fully find my recovery until May of 1991. Being involved in recovery is a state of mind, mixed with continually taking actions contrary to the ones I had previously. I have always had the good fortune to surround myself with beautiful, spiritual teachers and try my best to emulate and become an example for others. It’s a day-to-day deal and I am nowhere near perfect.”
In 2017 DeRosa became a part of the West Hollywood Recovery Center board, currently serving as Board President.
“We had to close the WHRC and Log Cabin during the pandemic, and that was rough for everyone,” say DeRosa.
“But since we’ve re-opened my job has centered around working with the City of West Hollywood (and our board) to support the future of the Log Cabin, both as a representative of WHRC and a member of the sober community. My goal, with my sober partners, is to work with the new owners in West Hollywood City Hall and keep every step completely transparent for bringing our newly nominated historical landmark up to code and open for all meetings for many years to come. Both buildings are incredibly important to our community and the board’s role is to make sure people know the sober community is here, while adhering to our traditions. It’s a fine line.”
For more info visit: www.thewhrc.org.
