The Renewal Center for Healing and Recovery from Addiction

Welcome to the Gentle Home of 12 Step Recovery

The Renewal Center has long been a refuge of healing and recovery for guests.

This is a place where presenters share their sharpened 12 Step wits to clarify all things recovery. It's a place where newcomers and old-timers engage with one another through lively and compassionate small-group discussions. It's a place where a person retreats from the world momentarily to emerge with a stronger recovery, a gentle resolve and a keen understanding of life. This is a place where recovery lives.

And, through our online programs, you can visit this tranquil home to recovery whenever you need support, clarity or comfort to ease your 12 Step journey.

"This place is filled with grace. Step off the world for a while and soak it in. You'll be grateful you did."
–A thankful program participant

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Online and In-Person Programs that Bring the 12 Steps to Life

No matter where you are in your recovery, these programs will renew and invigorate your understanding of the Twelve Steps and how to apply them to your life. People of all Twelve Step experiences come together to learn under the trusted, sheltering wisdom of our Twelve Step experts. Whether you have one day or one million, you are welcome here.

Daily Programs for 12 Step Immersion

With our daily 12 Step immersion program that covers everything from the basics to beyond, we can help you if you're:

• Beginning your transition from treatment to home life
• Looking for 12 Step support during a difficult time in your recovery
• Building a meaningful recovery that you fully connect with
• Seeking a place of spiritual refuge and relief
• Celebrating a recovery milestone among kindred spirits

Our presenters will aim your spirit toward an easy and effective recovery using their extensive experience with the core texts, principles and traditions of 12 Step recovery. Popular workshop topics include:

• How to handle and release resentments
• The core and crux of sponsorship
• The practice of meditation
• How to emotionally manage the present
• What emotional sobriety means and how to succeed at it

Online 12 Step Program

Our online recovery refuge is available to you from the comfort of your own home. Plus, thanks to the generous gifts of our donors, our online program is being offered at absolutely no cost to you.

Join us for one 90-minute session or for the full 12 Step series. Choose a session that delves into any particular Step and get long-lasting clarity and confirmation on how to interpret and work that Step.

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In-Person 12 Step Program

In our continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended our in-person Twelve Step immersion program. We will re-evaluate this decision as the COVID-19 health crisis evolves.

Located on the scenic Center City, Minnesota campus, our in-person 12 Step programs are hosted in the Dan Anderson Renewal Center. In addition to daily Renewal Center staff workshops on the 12 Steps and The Big Book, your program can be completely customized to your individual situation. Your stay on campus also includes:

• Morning and afternoon group reflection
• Evening alumni lectures
• Nutritious meals crafted especially for people in recovery
• Yoga classes
• Hiking trails and an outdoor exercise course
• Use of campus fitness center (pool, jogging track and basketball)
• Use of the Lavinia Neill Meditation Center
• Time to browse Serenity Corner bookstore

We invite you to stay with us for a couple days, a week or longer. Take whatever time you need to renew your spirit and excel in all your recovery goals. 

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Specialized 12 Step and Recovery Retreats

If you are looking for in-depth studies of specific 12 Step principles or topics, we suggest one of our focused recovery retreats.

Alongside fast friends and compassionate presenters, you'll begin to practice and apply any of the wide variety of 12 Step teachings. These programs are generally best suited to anyone following a 12 Step program, including AA, NA, Al-Anon, ACOA, CODA, OA or others. The topics and specialized skills we'll cover include:

• Relapse prevention strategies
• Emotional sobriety
• Recovery and relationships
• Growing up in a family with addiction
• Mindfulness and recovery
• Recovery and spirituality
• Addiction, grief and recovery
• Women and recovery
• Parents with addicted children
• Veterans and recovery

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Online Twelve Step Retreats

Please check here for updated information on online Twelve Step Retreats.

In-Person Twelve Step Retreats

In our continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended our in-person Twelve Step retreats. We will re-evaluate this decision as the COVID-19 health crisis evolves.