Julie Kurzynowski’s Odyssey, From Drug Addiction to Graduating with Honors from La Salle and Helping Others

Julie Kurzynowski with Br. Joseph Burke, FSC, chair of the Psychology department

This past May, as Julie Kurzynowski crossed the stage at La Salle University’s commencement ceremony, her parents watched from the audience with pride. “They were really blown away, since I am first person in the family to get a college degree,” she said. But her bachelor’s degree in psychology symbolized more than just an academic milestone—it represented the culmination of a journey hampered by adversity, tangible proof that resolve is an indispensable study aid.

Originally from Jackson, Michigan, Kurzynowski relocated to Philadelphia in 1988. But it wasn’t to attend school or pursue employment -- it was to save herself. As a youth, she battled alcoholism and a dependency on marijuana and pain pills. “[Addiction] really took over my life,” said Kurzynowski, now 44. “Staying high became my fulltime job.”

Her decision to leave her comfort zone was a conscious one. “[In Michigan,] if I had a bad day, I could bail out and run home,” said Kurzynowski, who lives in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. “I put 600 miles between me and home, hoping to start a new life.”

She enrolled herself in the Philadelphia office of Teen Challenge (TC), an international faith-based rehabilitation program.

“When I was in High School, prior to my involvement in drugs and alcohol which didn't start until my late teens, I came to Philly as a youth representative from my church to attend a three week leadership training program that was sponsored by the Catholic Youth Organization,” she said. “I stayed with a family in Germantown, not far from where I now live.  Anyway, I fell in love with the city and just knew that someday I would be back.  What I didn't know was that I'd come back in a drug rehab.  I was scared to leave Michigan and sad to leave my family but having been to Philly before and having fallen in love with the city, I was able to take that step of faith.” 

It took Kurzynowski a year and a half to beat her addiction. She then began working for TC as an intern. She was eventually promoted to a counselor position that led to her current job of clinical supervisor. Although TC originally focused on young people struggling with substance abuse, it has since branched out to assist adult patients as well. Kurzynowski currently supervises the men’s counseling segment of the program.

Her atypical progression to the other side of the desk certainly exemplifies her willingness to change. But she didn’t stop there. After becoming a state-certified addiction counselor in 1998, she earned an associate’s degree in behavioral health from the Community College of Philadelphia. She then enrolled at La Salle in 2001. She began pursuing a psychology degree, taking night classes while putting in 50-hour weeks at TC. Despite the extreme workload, Kurzynowski shined, notching a stellar 4.0 Grade Ppoint Avrage. She was selected as the Psychology Department’s top undergraduate student in La Salle’s evening division.

Elaine Mattern, an academic adviser for La Salle’s evening division, helped guide Kurzynowski through the process. “I was always impressed by her quiet determination,” said Mattern. “Julie doesn’t call attention to herself, and yet there is so much substance there. She’s highly intelligent, and there’s a kindness about her, a compassion. I sensed right away that she would make a great counselor.”
Kurzynowski cites La Salle’s religion courses as some of her most formative educational experiences. “I wanted [faith] to be the center of everything,” she said. “My recovery, my education, everything.”

In addition to one-on-one sessions, Kurzynowski leads group discussions that help TC enrollees overcome temptation and anger. She considers herself a good listener, and holds the input of her clients in high regard. Still, Kurzynowski excels at helping others because of something else -- she’s been there.

“As long as you’re still breathing, there’s hope,” she said. “I never would’ve imagined in a million years that I’d be in the position I’m in today.”

-- Drew Lazor