Road to Recovery
OUR NATION’S FIRST FAITH-BASED RECOVERY
HIGH SCHOOL MAKES ITS HOME AMONG THE SISTERS
Principal John Petruzzelli shows off an inspirational wall etching in one of Kolbe’s safe spaces.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The entrance to Kolbe Academy falls under the watchful eye of St. Maximillian Kolbe, a 20th Century Franciscan Friar who was imprisoned and died in the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp for providing aid
to some 3,000 Polish refugees during World War II.
Franciszek Gajowniczek, a prisoner in exchange for whom Kolbe offered his own life, was present for the saint’s beatification in 1971 and canonization
in 1982.
Pope John Paul II called Kolbe “the patron saint of our difficult century.”
In addition to his eternal connection to the plight of refuges, Kolbe today is regarded as the patron saint of those
on the journey to recovery.
Nestled neatly on the Monocacy Manor campus in Bethlehem, Pa., Mullen Hall stands in tribute to a time when young women roamed its halls as students of the former St. Francis Academy (SFA).
Their enthusiasm for the everyday and their anticipation for the future brought a unique energy to its halls. SFA closed in 1987, but these halls are alive again with hope for the future – one free of addiction, but filled with promise – as home to Kolbe Academy, the nation’s first faith-based recovery high school.
The pioneering program offers individualized academics in a safe, compassionate, Christ-centered environment. The goal is to set high school students in recovery from addiction on a life-long path to recovery and success.
Principal John Petruzzelli has a personality as colorful as Kolbe’s walls. From his purple polo to his bright smile, John is the program’s biggest advocate and most enthusiastic voice. “I truly believe that God puts you where you need to be,” he says. “I’m supposed to be here.”
John first heard about the project a few years back as principal of Bethlehem Catholic High School. Dr. Brook Tesche, chancellor of the Diocese of Allentown’s Office of Education, gathered research showing that among those in recovery, the most successful credited a faith component as being pivotal. Intrigued from the start, Bishop Alfred Schlert, requested a business plan and promised his support.
If and when the project got off the ground, John knew he wanted to be part of it. “I’ve been touched by past students and even lost students to addiction,” John says. “It’s an incredible experience to walk alongside these kids on their recovery journey.”
The idea wasn’t a no-brainer for everyone. Residents of a nearby housing development expressed hesitation at first. After a town hall meeting where residents learned more about the project and heard neighbors explain how pivotal having such a school would have been to their own children’s experience with addiction, the tides began to turn. “People had a complete 180,” John says. “They walked out feeling better and many said, ‘How can I help?’” Since Two residents of the development have since joined Kolbe’s Board of Directors.
“It’s an incredible experience to walk alongside these kids on their recovery journey.”
A handful of generous private donations and a considerable grant helped the school get off the ground earlier this year in time for the 2019-2020 school year. As mental health issues often underlie addiction, social anxieties, family problems, depression and other challenges can make the mere act of walking into their own high school seem an insurmountable hurdle for addicted teens. Enter Kolbe Academy.
Students are first evaluated by recovery professionals who make recommendations customized for each child. This includes prescribing how many hours of counseling should complement a student’s studies each week. Kolbe takes it from there, providing a standard high school curriculum accompanied by group and individual counseling and spirituality.
Each day starts with a check-in meeting, where students and staff share their challenges and triumphs. It’s a way to build rapport among the kids and teaching team before a day that includes seven academic periods, lunch, study hall and counseling sessions.
“They have an opportunity here to be part of an alternative peer group and steer clear of other groups that may have brought them to this point,” John says. The team coordinates sober social activities, outings, visits to recovery centers and special activities like a cooking class and 12-step yoga.
“The kids really seem to be responding,” John says at the five-week mark of year one. “They absolutely love art and are very creative.”
The plan is to grow each year toward a goal of 90 students. Right now, tuition is the responsibility of each family. But as word spreads and the generosity of the community grows, gifts and grants may help to reduce costs.
The planning team set out to find a location at the heart of the Lehigh Valley and, after touring other locations, settled on Mullen Hall. “The campus is amazing. We couldn’t ask for a more pastoral setting,” John says. “Not to mention the connectedness with the sisters.”
The sisters welcomed the program to their property, as Kolbe’s mission closely aligned with their own charism. “Our sisters have always served where the need is greatest and also adapted to the needs of the changing times,” says Sister Frances Marie Duncan, provincial minister and Kolbe Academy board member. “Kolbe meets a very real need right now, and we are blessed to have them here.”
Kolbe made the building home by incorporating its colors – purple to represent recovery and teal to represent the Blessed Mother – into the decorative palette. Most rooms include a purple wall, as do both ends of the main hallway, symbolic of the physical, mental and emotional journey students walk here. School swag – T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and other items – have become popular among those involved with the school and those who, despite having no direct connection, appreciate its mission.
Kolbe intends to have students take part in service projects at St. Francis Center for Renewal and, come Spring 2020, adopt a garden plot at the neighboring Monocacy Farm Project as part of the science curriculum.
Even vendors who helped the school prepare for its August opening became engaged. “A lady helping to set up our software learned what we were doing and asked, ‘What can my husband and I do to help?’’ John recalls. The couple purchased a laptop for the school.
Nearby organizations have reached out in many ways, and the school has received furniture and equipment from local universities and colleges. The building houses several safe spaces, rooms comfortably furnished for quiet time, if needed, and an open-door policy that allows students to approach staff at any time during the day for help.
“This has been so energizing for me,” John says. “It’s a rollercoaster at times and there are down days. But we are bettering ourselves too.” g
how to help
Kolbe Academy welcomes support of any size to help grow its program and effectively serve more teens in need. To donate or purchase Kolbe merchandise, visit the Kolbe website or contact John directly
at 610-866-0581 or principal@kolbe-academy.com. Kolbe also has an Amazon Wish List, and word of mouth also is invaluable to the program’s growth.