Dear Friends and Family:

I am celebrating 40 years of sobriety. My dear sponsor Carrie White, RIP, would have referred to it as 40 years of victories — and that really rings true for me. Both she and her best friend Aloma Ichinose, RIP, got sober at Friendly House. Aloma was the one who brought Carrie to Peggy Albrecht, RIP, and her House.

Carrie White

Aloma Ichinose

So naturally, when I moved to Los Angeles in 2000 with my fifteen years of sobriety in tow, my new sponsor brought me to a Christmas party at The Friendly House, brimming over with joy, music, food and an abundance of hospitality and love, a reflection of Peggy Albrecht. Having moved from the east coast knowing no one, it quickly changed from that moment on. From Monica Phillips, who became Director when Peggy died, to Christina Mercado Simos, the present director, many different tribes of women have been brought under the Friendly House roof. 

Director of Friendly House Peggy Albrecht with performer Sherri Lewis

In honor of these women and those matriarchs who have passed, I wanted to raise up my 40 years of sobriety to all the women past and present for the Friendly House.

To celebrate my birthday, I am asking for donations to Friendly House, the longest running recovery program for women in Los Angeles. I have seen the work of Friendly House throughout the years, and the miracles of recovery happen there every day. The Normandie Avenue location houses women and provides 24/7 recovery programs, allowing the residents to focus on their well being and recovery, and put their lives back together. 

This amazing non profit is in need of funding to support the residential program, to help women without resources and to cover the costs of their room and board. 

I hope you will help me reach my goal of $2,000. All of your donations are 100% tax deductible.