From The Source
Joshua Arrington
My name is Josh Arrington and it is my pleasure and honor to say that I have known Hillary Belk for over fifteen years now. She is one of, if not the most dedicated people I know when it comes to helping others. I am an alcoholic with a sobriety date of 11/3/13. Hillary has had an impact in not only mine, but countless other lives through our journeys in sobriety. She is not the reason I got sober, but watching her for years remain sober and grow, gave me the courage to believe that I could live a better life too. She was always there for me when I was drinking and needed to talk to someone. She shows through her actions that there is a better way, and will go to any length to help you attain the joy that sobriety brings to her. She helped me early in sobriety by going to countless AA meetings with me when I needed a friend. Listening to her share her experience in the rooms of Alcoholic Anonymous not only helped me remain sober, but find the God of my understanding as well. I have no doubt that we will remain friends for many of years to come and I am very humbled to be able to say that.
Hillary’s impact on the people around her is nothing short of a miracle. As I write this I get chill bumps when I think back on the impact she has had in so many lives. She and I have so many close friends that were just like us. We were all tired of doing the same thing and getting the same result. We were more than likely going to die in the misery of our alcoholism. Hillary was the first person I called when I decided to get sober and she has been by my side the entire way. It is so inspiring to watch the joy that helping others brings to her and the impact she has on those around her. She will do literally ANYTHING to help others and there is no doubt that the work she does saves lives. She definitely helped save mine. When I was early in sobriety and close friends came to me and asked, “How do you do it Josh?” I would share my story and tell them to call Hillary. We now have multiple friends with multiple years of sobriety and the tools to help others themselves. It is not only our duty in AA, but our pleasure to help anyone that wants what we have. Hilary is an ambassador on that front.
Zachary P.
I met Hillary at a time when strong spiritual and emotional guidance was incredibly important to me. I was newly sober and uncertain about many things in my life. From the moment we met, it was obvious how much she cared for my well being, and that care showed through her each and every action.
Whether I needed a ride from an after-hours academic event or I just needed someone to talk to about difficulties in my school or personal life, she made herself available 24/7. And while many miles and a 6-hour time difference now separate us, I have no reason to believe she would be any less quick to come to my aid.
It is obvious to me that Hillary gets as much from mentoring others as she puts into it, and she puts a very great deal into it. She was always able to guide me through any doubts or uncertainties, and she was always there to celebrate my every success. She takes great joy from helping others, and I cannot adequately express the debt I owe her for all that she has brought into my life.
Chelsea N.
The first time I spoke with Hillary Belk was about 3 years ago. I was struggling with my battle with addiction and alcoholism, and a friend got me on the phone with her.
Without even knowing me, she let me talk about my problems. She listened. She told me there was an easier, softer way if I was willing to take the first step. At the time, I was unwilling and stubborn, but she showed me love and kindness in a time when I had no love for myself. I had to hit my bottom in order to make a change, but I never forgot the compassion I heard on the other side of that phone call. A little over two years ago, I moved to Wilmington, NC and got sober.
Last year, I came back home to Charlotte for the holidays. It was difficult to be back, so I went to the Alcathon. After a meeting, a young woman approached me offering snacks. We chatted for a bit, and I realized it Hillary. She didn’t know that I had gotten sober. I asked her if she remembered me and immediately her face lit up with joy. As we were talking, I made another connection. She was the student my father, had always spoken about! My father is a Professor of Journalism at UNC Charlotte. He was always bragging about a young woman who had single handedly started the CRC at UNC Charlotte. At that moment, I felt the synchronicity that surrounded my relationship with Hilary.
A year passed and my YPR leader in Wilmington asked me to represent our chapter in the National Leadership Conference in Denver, Colorado. I was nervous because I did not have much experience, or know anyone else involved. Then I realized that Hillary
was one of the 16 leaders who started YPR. I texted her, and immediately I felt that same kindness and love from when we spoke on the phone many years ago. When we got the conference, we were set up in the Denver University dorms as roommates and I immediately felt at home!
Hillary is the type of person who never meets a stranger. Her strength and love for others makes everyone feel welcome. She has a light inside her, which makes people feel drawn to her. I believe it’s because she makes people feel safe. Every time I chat with Hillary, I am in awe of her accomplishments for people in recovery. Her dedication has paved the way for people like me to find a better way for living. Our journey together has been nothing short of a miracle. I feel as if our lives have always been intertwined and connected in recovery. I do not know where I would be without her love and compassion. She has proven to be the example of recovery in which I strive daily to become.
Caitlin Cashman
I am writing on behalf of a wonderful woman that I have known my entire life who has overcome many battles, endured challenges, and provided support for those who needed her the most. Hillary Belk is one of the strongest and kindest souls I know and I am so glad to have her a part of my life. She was there for me in one of my darkest moments where I feared for my future and myself. This selfless and thoughtful act helped me scourge through the muck of my so called life into a bright and worthwhile existence.
At this moment of my life I needed a guiding hand but didn’t know who to turn to and which direction to go. Hillary heard about my situation and offered her time and knowledge to me. She has experienced much in her life and this made her sympathetic and most of all relatable to my current situation at the time. I never felt judgment, only support. She helped me beyond anything I can comprehend that day by just listening to me talk and offering advice when I needed it. Her advice was never forceful but only thoughtful. It got me thinking about where I was and what I needed to do. She took me to my first meeting and she helped check me into a center. I was really scared but Hillary’s encouraging words helped me persevere through that rough night and the many struggling nights to come.
One year from that horrific day I had Hillary come and speak on my behalf in a meeting for people who shared my struggles. She was my guiding light and I couldn’t have done it without her. I know this might seem extreme in some eyes, but until you have reached such a point of despair and have someone pull you out from that dark part of your soul, it is difficult to grasp the effect such a person can have on you. Hillary was my mentor and ray of hope when I most needed IT, she has also been such a wonderful friend. Every time I speak with her she is always positive and working towards a goal. She is a hard worker who never stops helping others and I truly believe that being a mentor is her calling in life.
Josh C.
I have known Hillary Belk for about three years, and have had the privilege to witness what an amazing and impactful person she is. We first met when I was attending UNC Charlotte’s Collegiate Recovery Community, which was established for college students in recovery that wanted a safe place to connect with other students in recovery. Hillary, with the help of a few administrators organized the efforts to bring
collegiate recovery to UNC Charlotte. Although she was already graduated when I began attending the university, I noticed that she was still more involved on campus than most of the other students in the CRC. These first encounters with Hillary told me a lot about the character she possessed, and her actions became a torch that has been handed down throughout the CRC’s existence.
The CRC involvement was just the beginning stages of my friendship with Hillary. She has consistently reached out to me throughout the years of knowing her, has included me in different events or organizations that she has been a part of. From Young People in Recovery to Heroes in Recovery, she has been a strong voice and advocate for recovery, and has fulfilled countless commitments within these organizations, and others like it. Not only has she excelled in these efforts, but she has devoted her fulltime employment over the course of the past two years to providing refuge to others in recovery.
Hillary Belk lives and breathes recovery. Her passion and desire to help others and spread the gift that she is grateful to have received is evident through her daily actions. Over the past three years that I have gotten to know Hillary, I have seen nothing but steady growth in every facet over her life, and am confident in saying that she will do big things and have a big impact on the recovery community at large.
Paige W.
Hillary could easily be described as a spiritual mentor with much to offer to any person she comes across. She is truly gifted in connecting with people on a level that most people who meet her will feel as if they’ve known her forever allowing them to express their truest self when they are in her presence. Her personality is infectious in the best way she is the person that is always there to listen and hear someone out fully, and then offer her own personal experience, strength, and hope. She taught me so much about living life to the fullest and not letting the bad outweigh the good no matter what. Hillary is someone I know I can depend on no matter the circumstance, she will answer the phone and be there at any given moment when she is called on.
Hillary has dedicated her life to serving others and giving back, and I am blessed to have gotten the chance to cross paths with her and see her work in action. She would be an asset to any team who has the opportunity to bring her onboard. Hillary is an amazing person with a heart of gold and anyone who gets to spend time around her will most certainly feel as if they are better just for knowing her.
Andrea O.
Hillary has been amazing support and also the best friend anyone could ask for! She is a true inspiration, a compassionate, and understanding person! I met Hillary 10+ years ago and was in a very frustrating marriage. My ex-husband is an addict, and I was struggling to understand my role as far as trying to "cure him" and keep my family together. I was so emotionally exhausted and felt so defeated but tried to keep a smile on my face while I was so broken. When I confided in Hillary, the relief and understanding that I felt was like a breath of fresh air, unlike any other person I had ever opened up to. Never had anyone else offered advise, a shoulder to cry on, and actually educated me on what I was dealing with.
Through our friendship I have learned about the struggles she had and her gratitude for her sobriety. It amazes me the passion and determination that she has to help change the lives of others. She is so personable and such a genuine person, it's hard to find a person as great as she is.
I am in a different, much happier, chapter of my life and once again needed her advice. We recently have fostered a baby, who we are in LOVE with! His mother is a heroin addict and I couldn't grasp how someone would put his or her child through such a terrible thing! I have been angry and disgusted by it, especially after this sweet innocent baby has been in our care and is such a miracle! Hillary helped me to understand the mental and physical downfalls of such addiction. I find myself more understanding and not resentful now that I have a better understanding of the disease. Hillary will always have a special place in my heart as a best friend, inspiration and a mentor.