For the first time in CCC’s history, employees helped shape the cover of our Annual Report through an art contest centered on one question: What does recovery look like to you?
The response was extraordinary.
Through paintings, drawings, and mixed media, staff explored recovery in many forms, from healing after substance use, homelessness, and mental health challenges to recovering from physical injury, emotional hardship, or simply restoring oneself after a long day. Each submission reflected a deeply personal understanding of what it means to rebuild, reconnect, and rise.
With more than a dozen submissions, selecting a winner was no easy task. Our panel of judges, who collectively have dedicated more than sixty years of service to CCC, thoughtfully evaluated each piece through the lens of our mission.
The Winning Artwork
One piece rose to the top.
This year’s winning artwork captures the heart of CCC’s mission with clarity and emotional depth. It reminds us that recovery is not a single moment, but a journey, sometimes quiet, sometimes bold, rooted in resilience and compassion.
We are honored to feature Raise by Terese O’Neil Kunkel, created with acrylics and permanent marker on canvas, on the cover of CCC’s 2025 Annual Report.
In her artist statement, she writes:
“This piece represents my recovery by growing out of the muck of addiction and trauma. I have named it ‘Raise’ as I am raising my life in so many ways now. As I continue to raise from addiction and the effects of years of trauma (physical and emotional), my life just continues to grow and gets better daily.”
Meet the Runners-Up
We are deeply grateful to every employee who shared their creativity and perspective. We are also proud to recognize the three remarkable runners-up whose work reflects the many faces of recovery.
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Healing Grows with Compassion
Samantha Wade, Training Specialist, CCC
Medium: Quilt, embroidery, and appliqué
Artist Statement: “Healing Growsx with Compassion” is an art quilt inspired by my personal mental health recovery journey. Through hand quilting, embroidery, and an appliqué self-portrait, the piece reflects healing as something that grows slowly, intentionally, and in relationship with care.
Tu Amor
Arely Botello Leal, Outreach Worker, CCC
Medium: Pencil and pen
Artist Statement: Everyone has their own subconscious mind. I will never be able to see things the way you do. This drawing can be whatever you want it to be, your life, your path, your mind, your heart. Make your own definition of your highest potential and your way of thriving. I just want to see you win! May we create a world where everyone has the freedom to become their highest potential, without fear, without hate, and without limitation. Solo el Pueblo salva al Pueblo.
Weathering the Storm
Kent McCord, Supportive Housing Case Manager, CCC
Medium: Oil painting on canvas
Artist Statement: My oil painting on canvas “weathering the storm” shows a man in deep reflection staring at the viewer with a somber demeanor. Behind him is a storm of dust. Recovery meant I needed to become comfortable with faith and others advice, because I couldn’t see a future for myself beyond the current storm I was in. It also meant I had to become comfortable being uncomfortable. I hope to bring a sense of strength, vulnerability, and journey in all of my portraits.
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A Permanent Home for These Pieces
We are especially grateful all four artists generously donated their pieces to CCC. These works will become part of CCC’s permanent art collection.
Collectively, they help reflect the creativity, perspective, and lived experience of the people who make CCC’s mission possible. It is especially meaningful that artwork created in response to recovery now has a lasting place in CCC’s home.
See the winning cover artwork and read the full 2025 Annual Report.
