Recovery Group Finds Harmonious Situation

On Sunday, a dozen or so men from People In Progress will get out of bed early and make their way to a picturesque meadow in Griffith Park. Once there, the men will get to work, arranging chairs, checking sound equipment and neatly stacking piles of programs.

Though seemingly unspectacular, this simple series of events is the embodiment of a profound partnership between the men--recovering alcoholics and drug addicts--and Symphony in the Glen, a free classical concert series held once-a-month from May to October in Griffith Park.

Charla King, a spokeswoman for Symphony in the Glen, said the contributions of PIP volunteers have been critical to the success of the series. The free classical concerts draw hundreds of families each month eager to hear members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other professional musicians.

“They are really a very helpful, upbeat group of people. The concerts wouldn’t be going on without their help,” King said of the PIP volunteers.

PIP Director Dennis O’Sullivan said the partnership is even more important for the volunteers themselves, many of whom had never attended a classical concert before getting involved with Symphony in the Glen and some of whom only weeks before were living on the street with little hope of reconnecting to mainstream society.

“When somebody comes up to them and says, ‘Hey thanks, good job, we couldn’t have done this without you,’ that means a lot,” O’Sullivan said. “It starts to build some positive, righteous self-esteem.”

Founded in 1974, PIP operates an 84-bed facility in Sun Valley offering detox treatment and long-term recovery programs for men who in many cases have hit bottom.

Working with the symphony has helped such men as Rogelio Garcia, 27, a recovering alcoholic, demonstrate to themselves and others that they have something positive to contribute.

“Eventually we’re going to have to go back in society. This helps us prepare for that and helps us to understand that there are other lifestyles, other things to do,” Garcia said.

Symphony in the Glen will present its season finale, “Beethoven and Co.,” at 3 p.m. Sunday. The concert will be preceded by a free children’s conducting class at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, call (213) 955-6976.