Village of Hope graduate looks forward to an exciting future

By Joan Janzen

Village of Hope in Eston held a graduation celebration Sunday, Dec. 7, honouring its most recent graduate, Austin Miller of Kindersley. Family and friends gathered at Eston Full Gospel Church to mark Miller’s completion of the 10-month course and graduation from the program.

Austin Miller of Kindersley holds his graduation certificate after completing the 10-month program at Village of Hope in Eston. Also pictured, from left, are TJ Pellerin and Tyler Stanowski. SUBMITTED

Staff at Village of Hope have seen remarkable changes in Miller’s life over the past months and are eager to see what the future holds. Miller also shared some exciting plans.

“My future finally has direction. After graduating, I plan to stay on for the Student Leadership Training (SLT) program in Eston,” he said. During that time, he will volunteer, using his experience to help others struggling with addictions.

“Even more incredible, I was asked by Village of Hope founder Mart Vahi to help with recovery work in Finland!” Miller said. In three to six months, he will travel to Finland to assist with recovery efforts overseas. “I can honestly say this is the most exciting moment of my life!” he added.

Before the ceremony, Miller shared a written account of his personal journey in the Village of Hope winter newsletter. Village of Hope is a drug addiction treatment centre in Eston offering an immersive program designed to fully support students in recovery.

The following is an excerpt from Miller’s story:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with my emotions. I never knew how to deal with feeling alone, scared or unwanted. Those feelings eventually turned into anger—anger I couldn’t control. Whether it was toward myself or others, I didn’t have the tools to cope, so I turned to drugs to numb the pain.

My addiction started when I was just 15. I didn’t understand myself, my emotions or the world around me. For 14 years, I used drugs, believing that was how adults dealt with pain. I used cocaine, alcohol, crystal meth and even experimented with fentanyl. My addiction promised escape, but all it ever brought me was pain.

Now I’m 29, and for the first time in my life, I’ve entered a recovery program. I’m so grateful to be here! This is the longest I’ve ever maintained sobriety since I was a kid. This program has given me so much: sobriety, healthy relationships, emotional tools and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

None of this would be possible without Village of Hope in Eston and without Jesus Christ pulling me out of the grave I had dug for myself. Through Him, I found hope.

Congratulations, Austin! Your courage and perseverance will inspire many people struggling with addiction, showing them that they too can find hope.