Over the past two years, one of the greatest blessings in my life and in my recovery journey has truly been finding Club 12. Coming from another country, specifically from the city of Tijuana in Baja California, I arrived not knowing exactly what to expect or where I would fit in. Starting over in a new place can be intimidating, but one thing I knew for certain was that my recovery had to remain my top priority—just as it still is today. Because of that commitment, I immediately began searching online for meetings and places where I could connect with others who understood the journey.
Club 12 was the very first place I walked into, and from that moment, I felt something special. I was welcomed with open arms, kindness, and genuine warmth. There was no judgment—only understanding, support, and fellowship. That meant more to me than words can fully express, especially being far from what was once familiar. The consistency of having that 8:15 to 9:15 meeting at night also became something I deeply appreciated. It was the perfect time to reflect on the day, reconnect with my purpose, and strengthen my sobriety alongside others who shared the same goal.
Today, I feel incredibly blessed and grateful that Club 12 exists and that its doors were open when I needed them most. It has been more than just a meeting place—it has been a foundation, a source of strength, and a reminder that no matter where we come from, recovery brings us together.
Yours truly, Elmer C
“When you don’t know what to do, do nothing.” This was taught to me by my father, and it came from his father, who was a member of Club 12 and Alcoholics Anonymous. This is also known as “we pause when agitated.” Club 12 has been serving as a beacon of light for many generations of my family.
My grandfather got sober at the age of 39, as did I. My father would go to meetings with him at Club 12 as a young boy, absorbing the program and applying the principles to his own life. I finally found myself at Club 12, known as the last house on the block. Little did I know it was the finest and safest place I could possibly ever end up.
Club 12 has saved so many lives! Early on in sobriety, I can’t tell you how many hours I spent there, days on end. Meeting after meeting, it was the safest place for me to be, and I believe it has truly saved and revolutionized my life. It’s amazing to think how many lives this club actually saves.
I finally understand what it means to be a grateful alcoholic, and I’m forever grateful to the club for being there for me in the early days of sobriety and continuing to be there for me. I finally no longer need judges of Bexar County to send me to the club to understand the disease of alcoholism and what its prescribed treatment is. Now I can go there of my own volition and without probationary terms. There is a great honor in being of service and a member of Club 12. I always have a place that welcomes me with open arms and fellowship. I find myself there quite often and can’t wait to return.
Because of Club 12, I am sober, present, and able to give back what was so freely given to me.
Chris C
Thirteen years ago, I walked into Club 12 broken, ashamed, and afraid. I was a stay-at-home mom battling alcoholism, facing a pending divorce, and watching my relationships with my children and family unravel. I had a DWI and a possession charge, and my teaching license—something I had worked so hard for—was in jeopardy. Depression consumed me. I felt hopeless and isolated, unsure if I could rebuild the life I had so carelessly destroyed.
Club 12 became the turning point.
What I found there was more than a meeting space—it was a safe haven. The Club offered structure when my life was chaotic. It gave me a place to go every day where sobriety was the norm, not the exception. Through community service opportunities, I rediscovered purpose. By showing up and being of service, I slowly rebuilt my self-worth.
Most importantly, I found relationships. Members welcomed me when I could not yet welcome myself. Mentors guided me through the 12 Step recovery program and modeled what long-term sobriety looked like. The consistent availability of 12 Step meetings gave me accountability, hope, and a blueprint for living differently. In those rooms, I learned how to take responsibility, make amends, and repair the damage my addiction had caused.
Today, my life is a testament to what recovery—and a place like Club 12—can make possible. I am a master’s-level social worker, employed and serving others who struggle with substance use and mental health challenges. My relationships with my children and family have been restored. Trust has been rebuilt. I am sober 13 years and counting.
Club 12 didn’t just help me stop drinking—it helped me reclaim my identity, my integrity, and my future. It gave me community when I was alone, purpose when I was lost, and hope when I had none.
Because of Club 12, my story did not end in tragedy. It became a story of restoration.
Christina S
Before finding Club 12, my world was dangerously small and physically breaking. My mornings were defined by severe withdrawal shakes —the result of a daily dependence on whiskey that was slowly claiming my life. I wasn’t just struggling; I was disappearing.
The Club changed the trajectory of my life by providing a reliable home base when I had nowhere else to turn. It offered a place to go and hang out that is alcohol free, where I could feel comfortalble both day and night, but the 10:00 PM meeting was my specific lifeline. I truly believe I wouldn’t be celebrating 29 years of sobriety today without that meeting and the late-night fellowship that followed. What began as a place to find a meal on holidays because I was alone has transformed into a community where I now have the privilege of giving back to others.
The depth of this support was most evident during a personal crisis 15 years into my sobriety. When my uncle was kidnapped, the people at Club 12 rallied around me. Their strength allowed me to be the man my mother needed—an adult son who could offer stability and comfort. In that time of grief and uncertainty, the Club taught me how to be a true friend and confidant.
Today, everything is different. Because of the foundation I built at Club 12, I have graduated from college, established a career, and bought my own home. More importantly, I have traded a life of isolation for lifelong relationships. The Club didn't just help me stop drinking; it gave me the skills and the community to finally start living.
Miguel R
During the fragile early stages of my recovery journey, the importance of community became essential. Club 12 has provided a vital foundation for my path forward, connecting me with others who share a sincere desire for healing, self-improvement, and personal growth. My faith—specifically, my belief in a Higher Power—has served as a fundamental cornerstone throughout my recovery process.
Although spirituality was initially a significant challenge and a source of internal struggle for quite some time, everything started to shift positively when I began to focus on the shared experiences and commonalities that bind us together within the group. By setting aside individual differences and fostering genuine connections through what unites us all, I’ve developed a deeply meaningful relationship with a God of my own understanding.
I consider Club 12 my true home away from home—a genuine fellowship that provides comfort, hope, and strength. Each day, we all walk the road of happy destiny, actively searching for and discovering a life that is genuinely worth living, filled with purpose and gratitude. My sobriety date is September 12th, 2025, and I firmly believe that this achievement is by the grace of God and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. As they often say, "Keep coming back," and I can honestly say I have, and that choice has truly saved my life.
Jeremy E.
Testimonials
Read below personal stories from people who found strength and hope at Club 12.