Green Hill Recovery, the Raleigh, North Carolina-based transitional living program, is pleased to announce the launch of its Passion Projects initiative.

A platform where young men in recovery are encouraged to go after what drives them, the Passion Project initiative was inspired by Program Facilitator Caleb Barnhart’s personal journey. “Photography was the first thing in sobriety that made me excited to be alive again,” says Barnart. “It became such a powerful tool against addiction, trauma, and mental illness that I wanted to share that feeling with others like myself.”

Individualized to the participant, phase one of a resident’s Passion Project is finding out what excites them. Through the observation of Green Hill’s staff and participation in house activities, Green Hill’s programming team works to determine what the resident excels at. After identification and encouragement, residents plan with staff how they’d like to scale up their project, whether it be receiving instruction from industry professionals or organizing photo shoots in our transitional living home. 

Passion Projects encapsulate the Green Hill experience. Green Hill program’s phases are called Discover – Empower – Connect. These projects allow clients to truly individualize their experience within these milestones. They can discover something that brings them deep fulfillment in a life without drugs, become empowered to pursue this dream, and connect to the broader community. Many lose their ‘thing’ when they stop using substances; the fact that Green Hill’s Passion Projects help residents find a new ‘thing’ is extremely powerful, and a foundational piece of a life in recovery. 

Jake Summers, Development Director and Partner at Green Hill had high praise for the Passions Projects initiative:  “One of the things we do best at Green Hill is to tailor our treatment to the individual. Over the years, we have seen Caleb use Passion Projects to connect our clients to a passion. We are pleased to say that the impact on client’s recovery has been overwhelmingly positive.” 

Not only inspiring to watch, the Passion Projects initiative underscores one of Green Hill’s guiding principles; more than just a life without substances, a life free of drugs and alcohol can be dynamic, fulfilling, and fun.

About Green Hill Recovery

Green Hill Recovery is a clinically driven transitional living program for emerging adults in early recovery located in Raleigh, NC.  Founded in 2017, Green Hill serves young men in early recovery from across the nation. Our curriculum focuses on academic, career, and life skills specifically designed to help prepare emerging adults for wellness beyond treatment. Our program helps residents discover their core values, empowers them to take ownership of their own recovery,  and connects them with their sense of purpose and the broader community.