Today we’re taking a glimpse into the life of a young woman in recovery. Nora B. is a senior in the Augsburg College StepUP Program and has been in recovery since February 13, 2012.
Nora grew up in New York City and transferred to Augsburg with a handful of credits in May 2013. Nora’s first year was a bit challenging. There were a couple relapses in the community but she continued through it and is now getting ready to graduate with a major in Urban Studies. Urban Studies was not her initial major. She didn’t start taking classes in the program until fall 2013 and has also developed an interest in working with children and nonprofit organizations.
In spring 2014 Nora won the Augsburg Leadership Award for her dedication to community service. The community service award reflects who Nora is. She is very involved in multiple organizations and is always giving back to the community. She is involved one program she is very passionate about called Eye to Eye. Eye to Eye is a mentoring program that teams up kids who have learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with college and high school mentors who have been similarly labeled. She is also involved in the Augsburg College’s LGBTQIA community and the Students for Racial Justice organization on campus.
Nora is also a very creative individual. She has written for the Echo school newspaper, has played the drums in multiple bands, and has a unique and enjoyable humor. She lives across the hall from me and had recently been over making me laugh within seconds of her presence.
Since joining StepUP Nora has come a long way. Her performance in school is better than ever and lives a sustainable lifestyle compared to life before StepUP and recovery. She is an incredible person that gives off this sense of peace, joy, and humility. I am grateful for the chance to hear about her life during this interview and all the passion she has for being of service. She helps make the StepUP program what it is today, a supportive community where students in recovery can receive an education and give back to the community.