Healing Through Service

By Candice Licon, Loretto Justice Fellow

Being part of the Loretto Justice Fellowship has been one of the greatest gifts of my life, and I say that with the deepest sincerity. I came into this experience hopeful but unsure of what to expect, and now, looking back, I realize how profoundly it has shaped me — personally, professionally and spiritually. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of a community that is grounded in love, justice, compassion and meaningful service. The support and connection I have found here has reminded me that change is possible, healing is real and that every person carries a story worth honoring.

My internship at the outpatient treatment center has impacted me in ways I never could have imagined. At first, I thought I was stepping into a role where I would help others heal, learn and rebuild their lives. And while that is true, what I did not expect was how much they would help me heal as well. Being present with individuals fighting for their recovery, each of them showing up with strength, vulnerability, fear and hope — has become a mirror for my own journey. Helping others navigate the difficult and courageous path of overcoming addiction has strengthened my own commitment to sobriety. It has helped me rediscover pieces of myself that I thought were lost. For the first time in a very long time, I am genuinely looking forward to the future.

There is something profoundly humbling about witnessing someone try again after falling down, choosing life even when it hurts and believing in themselves even when the world has doubted them. Every intake, every group session, every conversation has reminded me that recovery is not linear, and transformation is not instant — but it is possible. To stand beside others as they choose sobriety has empowered me to continue choosing it for myself. Their courage has grown my own. Their victories feel like mine too.

This experience has also deepened my understanding of social justice. Addiction is not just an individual struggle — it is rooted in systems that fail people long before substances ever touch their lives. Poverty, trauma, racism, lack of access to healthcare, broken education systems and the absence of mental health resources all contribute to cycles of suffering. Working within this community has opened my eyes to how vital it is to address not only the symptoms of addiction, but the structural inequities that fuel it. True justice means creating conditions where people can thrive, not just survive. It means advocating for treatment instead of punishment, compassion instead of shame and community instead of isolation.

I see now that social justice is not something that lives only in policy or protest — it lives in everyday interactions, in listening, in showing up, in choosing to believe in someone when the world has stopped believing in them. It lives in understanding that every human being deserves dignity, care and opportunity. Being part of Loretto has shown me the power of collective responsibility and the beauty of a world where we do not give up on one another.

As I continue through this fellowship year, I carry immense gratitude in my heart. I am grateful for the people I have met, for the lessons I have learned, for the ways I have been challenged and changed. Annie has been amazing with all of us, and we are blessed to have her as our mentor. I am grateful for the space to grow, and for the reminder that I am capable of building a life rooted in hope and purpose. This journey has changed me, and I will never forget it.