FullCircle’s origins trace to the early 2000s and Tempe, Ariz., when Father John Bonavitacola, a Catholic priest, recognized the profound need for youth-specific recovery support amid rising addiction rates. What started as just a couple of meetings a week and a fun sporting event or two is now a national nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization with global reach that serves to be a distinct and unique response to the complexities of adolescent addiction, where traditional programs often fall short for high school students and young adults. FullCircle’s founders envisioned a program that would bridge the gap in youth recovery by making sobriety accessible, visible and appealing — and also mirror recovery traditions representing unity, service and wholeness. From its Arizona roots, FullCircle has expanded to multiple locations in several states and is working to build its first international chapter. The program stands for a beacon for youth and families battling addiction, proving through its structure, events, and compassionate staffing that recovery can be a richer, more connected life. FullCircle is an inclusive organization with no religious requirements for participation. We fully embrace the 12-Step tradition’s “higher power” concept, allowing each individual to personally define that power — whether as God, the community, nature, or any other meaningful force — without mandating any specific belief system. At the same time, FullCircle’s roots in Christian values and firsthand experience partnering with churches uniquely equips the organization to collaborate seamlessly with Christian organizations, speak their language, respect their mission, and integrate faith-friendly 12-Step recovery support — while still keeping every meeting open and welcoming to participants of any belief or none.