ASU and Veterans Upward Bound alumni’s story of sobriety and higher education works to inspire those struggling with addiction
Veterans Upward Bound has long served as a platform for veterans to achieve their college aspirations. But aspirations don’t just come in degrees and letter grades. For veterans such as Chris Bilandzija, the connections and goals made within the program extend far beyond just academics.
“Over the course of eight years I've been given the great honor of helping others in their recovery and journey all over the United States,” Bilandzija said.
Bilandzija currently works as an author and public speaker, helping those in recovery from addiction, a far cry from where he started his journey and a goal that has taken him a while to achieve.
“I was a college dropout and drop-in for a number of years. During the semesters I didn't go to class, I worked in a warehouse, delivered beds, waited tables, worked at a golf course, construction, painting, etc.” Bilandzija explained.
“I found the social work profession in my mid-30s, I knew it was home,” Bilandzija said.
In finding social work Bilandzija was able to develop a path moving forward, and with the help of Veterans Upward Bound he found the structure to make that path a reality and a future career.
“I did a one-year stint in the Veterans Upward Bound program at Arizona State University,” Bilandzija continued. “I needed to raise my GPA enough to have my coordinator approved to get me into a big university with a social work degree program. So, it was in those VUB classes that I fell in love with the idea of helping others with recovery and writing.”
Bilandzija spoke to the environment at Veterans Upward Bound that helped bring this direction and structure, specifically the community that supported his interest and passion toward the field.
“You're working around civilians and veterans in Veterans Upward Bound,” Bilandzija said. “You get a lot of one-on-one interactions with staff and educators, so tutoring was a big thing. Showing up early to class and tutoring and staying late. Having others in the program that understand what it's like to live with a disease or a mental illness and being there to help each other really and work as a team.”
With just a little extra help from the Veterans Upward Bound program, Bilandzija was able to turn his life around. In an environment where Bilandzija was able to be both respected as a veteran and redirected as a student looking for guidance, he was able to find community and support that fit his needs, and start a new chapter.
“After the years of dropping out I graduated with honors from Arizona State University with my bachelor's degree in social work and immediately applied for graduate school,” said Bilandzija. “I got accepted, worked at the school, interned, had a full course load, and finished my master's degree.”
“During my time working with others who are suffering from the disease of addiction in Arizona, I got sober. I discovered that it was more about learning how devastating the disease of addiction really affects communities, families, and the nation as a whole,” Bilandzija continued.
Through this journey Bilandzija found more inspiration than just achieving a social work degree and moving into a profitable career. Much like the community of veterans that had helped Bilandzija feel accepted and understood through a lens of addiction and mental illness, Bilandzija wanted to do the same for others around the country.
“In the process of recovery I ran into a question whether or not I believe in myself enough to speak at universities, raise awareness nationally, and better understand connections. At that point my question became ‘What is it that I can do to affect the lives of others who have been impacted by the disease of addiction?’”
Drawing from his own personal experiences, the support he had in Veterans Upward Bound and the dedicated mentality he developed for himself during that time, Bilandzija set to work on answering that question and providing advice for those wanting to follow his path.
“I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to give up but it's in those times when I have to dig deep and pull myself up,” Bilandzija confessed. “Courage is a huge theme in my life. When we pay attention we seek courage every day. We see it when we are helping others who are asking for help. I see courage in myself when I'm willing to risk being vulnerable and excited.”
“The better I am at accepting more opportunities the better I'll get at helping others,” Bilandzija continued. “It's that simple. So I keep it simple. Figure out what it is that you'd love to do and get up and go do it and get inspired. So if you love changing lives and you love helping others and you like making an impact on people's lives then do that.”
Bilandzija didn’t need a lot, just a little support from a community that understood his struggles and a push in the right direction. For many veterans like Bilandzija, they have the drive and commitment to make changes, they simply lack the direction that many others have had through higher education.
“I knew how to make different choices to take action. Since I made that discovery I've been going in a new way and it has been amazing. I think if you find something to inspire you rather than something you don't love doing, then, get up and go do it!”
“I feel it's important to find inspiration and figure it out, what it is that you'd love to do and for me it's helping others in recovery.”
It doesn’t take much to help find that inspiration and figure out what the path forward is for you. For veterans looking to make that step, please visit the Veterans Upward Bound website.