VOLUME 8 | FALL 2023
LIFELINE THE
MANY GIFTS, ONE SPIRIT
‘PRODUCTIVE...AGAIN’
pages 6-12
pages 17-18
Each member of Lifeline’s board brings ‘servant’s heart’ to help others
Graduates find new purpose after completing treatment
Table of Contents FAITHFUL STEWARDS SERVING OTHERS
13 board members bring compassion and expertise to move Lifeline forward
“GOD’S CHOICE’
Page 3
Page 4
FAMILY DO’S AND DON’TS
How to help when your loved one struggles with addiction
Page 5
Pages 6-12
Recovery ‘changed everything’ for 51-year-old grandmother Lifeline graduate uses past to teach today’s youth about pitfalls of addiction
Page 13
Raises $85,000 for ‘future of hope’
Page 18
Page 19
DONOR LISTINGS
Page 14
January 1- September 30, 2023 Thanks to our 2023 donors!
More than 100 golfers raise $40,000 for recovery. (More info on back page.)
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Page 17
ANNUAL BANQUET
VALUING THE ‘BACK LINE’
Financial officer sees firsthand Lifeline’s role in changing lives
Page 16
SHARING LIFE LESSONS
PASSING IT ON
Men’s director uses personal experience to inspire clients
Volunteer’s compassion inspired by Lifeline clients SELF-SUSTAINING AGAIN
MANY GIFTS, ONE SPIRIT
Each member of Lifeline’s board brings ‘servant’s heart’ to help others
Page 15
‘MOST CHANGED AWARD’
THE POWERFUL STORY OF GOOD NEWS
Lifeline wants you to know how it changes lives
Fund development coordinator fulfilling long desire to aid in recovery
Pages 20-23
‘FAITHFUL STEWARDS’ SERVING OTHERS 13 board members bring compassion and expertise to move Lifeline forward
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) In this issue, you meet 13 community leaders who volunteer to serve on the board of Lifeline Recovery Center. They embody that charge from 1 Peter to use their gifts to help us achieve our mission “to provide Christ-centered solutions to men and women with drug and alcohol addictions.”
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ashley Miller
2014 Graduate of Lifeline
They bring a variety of professional expertise to our cause. They are executives, ministers, financial wizards, builders, communicators and, all of them, committed volunteers. They represent us in many different sectors of the community from churches to golf courses, from businesses to professional offices, reaching different circles of friends through their contacts to help us tell Lifeline’s story. Some of them have personal ties to addiction, having seen firsthand the struggles of loved ones or associates. All of them know the toll addiction takes on families and our community, and they have devoted themselves to making Lifeline better, so more people can get sober. They mentor us in team-building, operations and leadership, helping the Lifeline staff find resources and develop better skills to do our jobs. Because of their direction, influence and support, Lifeline has been able to expand our campuses to serve more people, develop a staff of professional counselors, earn accreditation, get insurance reimbursement for our clients, find donors to offset our costs, recently hire three new professionals (see pages 13-15) and, most importantly, continue to change the lives of our graduates (see pages 17-18). This board of men and women has come together, I am convinced, through God’s direction dating back to a simple breakfast. One board member invited some friends to learn about Lifeline; one of those friends became a board member, and that board member recruited another. Soon these new board members were reaching out to other community leaders, creating the expert panel of 13 now assembled. I believe God has orchestrated this team of professionals, each with a servant’s heart to help others, to guide Lifeline to meet the present and future needs for our community. I am honored to learn from and work alongside each one of them. We thank our board members for their leadership, love and support; and we thank God for working through them to help us save lives, restore families and transform our community every day.
Ashley Miller, Executive Director
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THE POWERFUL STORY OF GOOD NEWS Lifeline wants you to know how it changes lives Mind-numbing exhaustion. Nerve-wrecking frustration. Life-damaging desperation. And pain, soul-ripping pain.
FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Those are the real side effects that finally bring people to Lifeline.
Steve Powless Former Chair & CEO of CSI
As people battle the disease of addiction, the side effects multiply while they lose their families, jobs and freedom to the epidemic of our time. When those people come to Lifeline and progress through the three phases of treatment and recovery, the healing begins and the side effects slowly fade as they reach for their goal of sobriety. That is the good news – the good news of recovery, so powerful that our board makes it a strategic priority to share. Formally stated, our strategic plan includes “awareness” as one of four components: “Effectively tell our story to the community, conveying a message that increases the awareness of our mission and program and demonstrates the impact of our services and the value of the organization to the community.” Put more simply, we think our community wants and needs to know about addiction and how we’re committed to battling it. That’s why we equip staff, volunteers, donors and other supporters with the facts about our program through frequent communication: Events, such as our recent sold-out annual banquet and golf tournament (see page 19 and back page); social media; campus tours; community presentations; video; and even this biannual publication, LIFELINE. Since rebranding Ladies Living Free and Paducah Lifeline Ministries three years ago as Lifeline Recovery Center, we have elevated the non-profit’s brand in our community to engage more people in the mission. As engagement has increased, more people battling addiction have found Lifeline, more volunteers have stepped forward to help; and more people have given generously to keep Lifeline affordable and accessible. And, as you see in this issue, we have expanded our community board of volunteers to reach new segments of our community and grow our expertise. Your response has allowed us to expand our capital
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infrastructure at the men’s and women’s campuses, increase our staff three-fold and build a stronger, holistic recovery program utilizing professionallytrained counselors. God has opened doors we never imagined, showing us new opportunities, providing greater resources and saving more lives through this program. Thank you for hearing us and responding. We’ll keep telling the good news, so anyone who wants to get sober can find hope and healing at Lifeline.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Our success in realizing our mission will be measured by the extent to which we achieve the following:
PROGRAM
AWARENESS
Effectively tell our story to the community, conveying a message that increases the awareness of our mission and program and demonstrates the impact of our services and the value of the organization to the community.
STABILITY PARTNERSHIPS In future issues, we will discuss each of our strategic initiatives. To read the full strategic plan, please visit LifelineRecoveryCenter.org.
FAMILY DO’S AND DON’TS How to help when your loved one struggles with addiction If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, what should you do and what shouldn’t you do to help your loved one and protect yourself and your family? Addiction is most often a family disease, and it can damage and potentially destroy even the strongest of families. A crucial first step is to understand that addiction is a neurochemical brain disorder, which can be treated with clinical and spiritual modalities. It is not a moral failure. It is very important to remember that a family member is not responsible to “fix” the problem. That is a huge burden to bear. The person battling addiction must embrace and manage his or her recovery. The family can be supportive, but the solution lies with the individual – not the family. Family members should not apply pressure and suspicion to the loved one battling addiction. They also should not become emotionally unavailable. Misdirecting anger and denial can cause communication failures, leading to disastrous consequences. Family members should: • Realize that they have their own recovery to consider. This requires hope, faith, support, ongoing encouragement and renewal. • Seek help and support for themselves with friends who have loved ones in treatment or recovery, with spiritual groups such as church, with Al-Anon or other support groups. • Hold your loved one accountable, offering encouragement for wise choices and remaining non-judgmental. • Demonstrate love and compassion. • Keep the line of communications open. DURING TREATMENT If a loved one enters a treatment program, the family member should participate in the treatment with scheduled visits, group sessions or one-on-one therapy. This allows a family member to learn more
JOHN W. BRAZZELL, M.D. Volunteer Medical Consultant at Lifeline
Medical director at Kentucky Care, Paducah
about addiction as an illness, discover how they may help their loved one recover and develop their own skills for dealing with difficult emotions and situations. During treatment, family members must not be tempted to rescue their loved one if they want to leave the facility. It is natural to feel compelled to rush to aid them, but that puts the loved one in more danger or even threatens their life. AFTER TREATMENT When a family member completes treatment, the recovery process for the individual and the family truly begins. Recovery is a lifelong journey for the loved one and the family as a whole. Having a loving, nurturing and spiritual environment for a loved one when they return home is essential to reduce the risk of relapse and promote a meaningful recovery.
“Recovery is a lifelong journey for the loved one and the family as a whole.”
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MANY GIFTS, ONE SPIRIT Board of 13 experts uses ‘servant’s hearts’ to guide Lifeline “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different forms of service but the same Lord.” – I Corinthians 12:4-5 Lifeline’s board of directors blends together a multitude of skills – finance, construction, communication, leadership – into a unified vision of helping more people get sober. Executive director Ashley Miller said she believes God assembled the group, each bringing unique talents, to work toward the common goal. “I believe God has orchestrated this team of professionals, each with a servant’s heart to help others, to guide Lifeline to meet the present and future needs for our community,” she said. You can see in this section the variety of their skills and professional successes. To help you understand their hearts, we asked each to tell in his or her own words the answers to three questions: • Why do you support Lifeline? • How have you seen or experienced the effects of addiction? • Share the most uplifting example you’ve witnessed of Lifeline’s impact. When you read their answers below, you will understand how fortunate Lifeline is to be led by this group of faithful stewards.
DAVID BAILEY
CPA/PARTNER AT WILLIAMS WILLIAMS & LENTZ JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2022 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Lifeline is a phenomenal ministry based on a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Lifeline helps addicted people with their deepest needs of defeating those addictions. People are being saved to eternal life; people are being restored to healthy lifestyles; people are returning to their families; and people are returning to happiness. Lifeline is good for individuals, our community, and God’s Kingdom. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION Most people I know have family members that struggle with some form of addiction, including mine. The impact on families can be devastating! I have seen many situations where people lose their families, their jobs and their friends because they can’t defeat their addictions. LIFELINE’S IMPACT When you visit with and know the staff at Lifeline, you are seeing the most uplifting examples of Lifeline’s impact.
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REV. DR. BERNICE (STEWART) BELT
CHURCH PASTOR; FOUNDER/PRODUCER/HOST-STEWART GIRL MINISTRIES. JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2016 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Supporting Lifeline was, and continues to be, rooted in my spirit of honoring both human life and the life of my beloved community. Several times I desired to serve this board, but left it in God’s hands. Terrye Peeler allowed God to use her in inviting me to be considered for board membership. It has been so rewarding, to fall in Christian love with Lifeline. To support Lifeline commands respect and support of our mission and goals, to commit to unwavering hope and prayers for changed, rearranged and restored lives, families, and acceptance of responsibility for mobilizing better futures. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION I am a miraculous survivor of domestic violence, both subtle and obvious. Street drugs, prescribed drugs, alcohol, sociopathy, psychopathy, anger, rage, self-hate and hate for others all saturated the very soul of the perpetrator. You cannot look at me and narrate my story, because I don’t look like, and behave like, what I have been through. Jesus and Christian counseling led me to receive divinely orchestrated freedom, peace, hope, and the spiritual gift of wisdom. LIFELINE’S IMPACT Gratefully, there are so many examples…I am particularly moved by each restored family. God created ‘family’. Restoration of the family is a major building block for every parent on the road to victory over any addiction.
CARLA K. BERRY
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT PADUCAH BANK: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2023 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Honestly, it took me several weeks before I could give an answer when I was asked to join the board. Once I visited the campus and met several of the teammates, I knew that it was the right decision. A faith-based journey is key to sobriety. Long-term care and aftercare are key as well. The visit brought me to my knees. I knew that it was meant to be. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION John and I lost our beautiful son, Rob, to drug addiction in June 2019. Rob was 47 years old. We all three were on this horrific journey for more than 30 years. Rob was in and out of rehab for many years. We never had access to a faithbased rehab center. Lifeline, unfortunately, was not an option for Rob during those days. We cannot look back, but I often wonder had Lifeline been the organization it is today, perhaps this journey would have turned much differently. LIFELINE’S IMPACT In June, John and I had a wonderful learning experience when we witnessed several testimonials from clients who had gone through Lifeline. It was truly an “aha” moment for us. We feel so blessed to be involved with this wonderful organization and fortunate to have Lifeline right here in our community. Rainmakers right here in our community: Clients, staff and volunteers.
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CASEY BRANTLEY
EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MERCY-LOURDES EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2023 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Drug and alcohol addiction have an extremely devastating effect on many individuals in our community. These problems are not going away. If anything, there has been a significant increase in these problems over the last several decades. There are several treatment options available for those struggling with addiction, however, few put Christ at the center of the treatment plan the way Lifeline does. This is what sets Lifeline apart and why we choose to support Lifeline. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION Given my career in the emergency department, I see the damaging effects of addiction every day I set foot in the department. These demons ruin lives. They not only ruin the life of the individual struggling with addiction, but also affect anyone close to these individuals. Addiction can rob you of your friend. Addiction destroys marriages. Addiction robs children of their parents. Addiction robs parents of their children. Simply put, addiction is the thief that will take and take and take until there’s nothing left to give. LIFELINE’S IMPACT When it comes to patients struggling with addiction, I honestly don’t see many success stories. On the rare occasions I do see people walk away from their addiction, it is oftentimes because of Lifeline. Our society craves instant gratification. Addiction treatment in our country is no different. Many forms of treatment center on trading one addiction for another. Lifeline’s approach is different. They truly want to get in the trenches with people and help pull them out of the place they are in, no matter how long it takes, and they keep Christ at the center which is the only way to truly overcome anything.
TONY COPELAND
ARKEMA STORES SUPERVISOR/MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2023
WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Lifeline provides a sense of hope with a strong Christian foundation. The ministry builds one’s self-esteem and teaches that destiny lies before, not behind them. Lifeline encourages those who may feel as lost as the sheep from the Shepard by teaching that your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, and the best days are never so good that you are beyond the need for God’s grace. We are all God’s children, and I support a ministry that allows me to assist my brother/sister in Christ. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION When you witness a close friend almost lose his family due to his addiction, you assist in all possible ways to embrace and change the course of action. The things that were important in his life became second to his addiction. You patiently offer guidance and support to your friend, while you pray each and every moment for healing. My support, along with others, allowed him to truly see the important people in his life that loved him more than life itself. LIFELINE’S IMPACT There is nothing more uplifting than to see Lifeline’s administration conducted by individuals who have been through the program. They are walking testimonials as they strive to assist their fellow brother/sister to succeed in life by looking to the hills for strength. It is truly a blessing for those entering the program to know that those offering the assistance have firsthand knowledge on how God has led them on their journey to recovery.
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MISSY ECKENBERG
RETIRED REGISTERED NURSE & DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2020 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Lifeline Recovery Center provides an opportunity for women and men to break the all-consuming cycle of addiction from alcohol or drugs. The treatment offered by Lifeline creates a supportive environment focused on God’s love coupled with a comprehensive curriculum of addiction recovery. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION As a retired nurse, I have seen both the physical effects on the body, and the spiritual bleakness that comes from addiction. I have seen families torn apart when the cause of addiction becomes the most important aspect of the addict’s life and sometimes even results in their death. I have also witnessed addiction in the workplace, taking ablebodied individuals out of the workforce which leads to financial difficulties and loss of relationships. LIFELINE’S IMPACT Attending the graduation celebration of the women and men who have completed the program and broken their addiction is so very inspirational! Many had lost employment and the privilege to drive, been incarcerated, become estranged from parents and spouses, divorced, lost homes, and even lost the legal right to their children. During graduation, stories are told of the addiction being broken, along with their strengthened relationship with God. This allows all in attendance to celebrate their sobriety, regular employment, restoration of relationships, and a renewed faith.
TERRY HAAS
FORMER HARVARD DRUG GROUP CEO, FORMER AMERISOURCEBERGEN DRUG CORP. PRESIDENT JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2022 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Throughout my life, as a resident of both Paducah and Philadelphia, I have witnessed the hopelessness, despair and dehumanization addiction inflicts on people regardless of social position. Lifeline takes a unique, faith-based, highly efficacious approach in treating addiction, giving clients hope on their journey to recovery. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION As an employer, friend and family member, my encounters with addiction are too numerous to count. Addiction is unbounded by social position, wealth, creed or race. I have witnessed perhaps hundreds of acquaintances lose their marriage, employment, relationships, physical health, faith, freedom and even their lives to addiction. LIFELINE’S IMPACT The most uplifting example of Lifeline’s impact occurs every year at the annual banquet when community members, in support of our ministry, fill the fellowship hall to listen as leadership speaks about our mission and clients courageously describe their recovery journey.
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ROBERT HILL
PRESIDENT ROBERTSON & HILL INC JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2017 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE I have experienced the effects of addiction in my family. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION I lost my daughter to the disease, so that’s when I decided to get involved with Lifeline. I felt, in my daughter’s memory, I wanted to help as many people as I could recover from addiction. LIFELINE’S IMPACT I remember the first Lifeline graduation I attended, I looked around the church and saw how many people were in the Lifeline graduating class. They all looked so happy; then I looked into the crowd and saw the happiness the family and friends had. I felt so blessed over my decision to become apart of Lifeline. I knew I was in the right place and that God was there.
KENNY HUNT
RETIRED CEO A&K CONSTRUCTION JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2020 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE All you have to do is go to one of Lifeline’s banquets and hear testimonials from people whose lives were totally ripped apart by drug and alcohol abuse. If their stories of restoration and reconciliation with wives, children, moms and dads don’t move you to help and support, I don’t think you have a heart. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION Being an employer for 35 years, I saw drug and alcohol abuse ruin careers. We had a strict drug testing program and randomly tested workers on a regular basis. We had a three-strikes-you’re-out policy, which we later modified to give me discretion not to fire a repeat offender if I thought they were sincerely trying to change. I found myself in that position numerous times and I almost always gave guys another chance. It finally became evident to me, that no matter how many chances people were given, if they didn’t get legitimate professional help, their chances for changing were slim to none. Unfortunately, I was so terribly ignorant of what was really happening and was so busy trying to run my business, I was little help to those folks who had to be dismissed. It wasn’t until I was introduced to Lifeline and saw what it really took to rescue folks from addiction that I fully understood how powerful addiction is and that beating addiction required a lot more than just intestinal fortitude. I can absolutely say that Lifeline helped me understand a huge problem, one that I had confronted daily and about which I knew little. LIFELINE’S IMPACT I think the story of executive director Ashley Miller and her husband Eric is the one that really continues to inspire me. When I hear the passage In the Bible where Jesus said, “Faith in him no more than the size of a mustard seed can change your life and bring you eternal life,” I always think of Ashley and Eric.
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STEVE POWLESS
RETIRED CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF CSI JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2019 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE God has led me here to serve others during this season of my life. Lifeline’s cause has become very personal to me. I have witnessed not only the devastating effect addiction has on the addict, but also the heartbreaking effect it has on their loved ones. Addiction is very cruel. Kentucky ranks fourth in the U.S in number of overdose deaths per capita. The cost to society is enormous, and the epidemic is increasing exponentially. I have met very few people since joining Lifeline whose lives have not been affected in some way by addiction. We must do all we can! THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION I have experienced the effect of addiction in my immediate family, my extended family, with co-workers, business and personal acquaintances and friends. Addiction does not discriminate. No one wakes up one morning and says I want to become an addict. And we cannot escape the fact that addiction touches all facets of society. Hopelessness abounds, parents become separated from their families, divorce rate is high, unemployment is common, incarceration is prevalent and their sense of purpose in life is lost. And unfortunately, addiction has a big generational effect that is passed down in families. We must break this cycle! LIFELINE’S IMPACT Hands-down, the incredible testimonials from graduates of Lifeline’s program are the most uplifting! The success stories of changed lives -- seeing addicts embracing the power of faith; hearing about the power of passionate, caring employees and volunteers at Lifeline, with servant’s hearts and a solid foundation of faith, pouring love and hope into addicts daily, so they can recover and return to a purposeful, healthy, productive life with restored families. We must keep providing hope!
BONNIE SCHROCK
RETIRED HOSPITAL COO JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2022 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Lifeline Recovery Center provides desperately needed services to rescue and restore people in the grip of lifecontrolling addiction. My heart is especially tender toward this ministry because I have seen the destruction and loss from addiction on people with so much promise. The good news is, with access to trained counselors and a strong support team, people can be restored and have true sobriety and restoration. Life change happens at Lifeline Recovery Center, and this is where I chose to invest my time and my resources to support this sacred work. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION I grew up in the country, where my first playmates were my brothers and my cousins. We were inseparable and had an enduring bond. I couldn’t remember a time when we were not close. As we entered our teen years, one cousin experimented with drugs and, in a very short time, was in the grip of addiction. Despite the best efforts at the time, he was not able to overcome his enslavement to drugs, and we lost him at the early age of 22. To this day that loss brings a wave of emotion. He is my why. LIFELINE’S IMPACT I am currently mentoring a graduate of Lifeline Recovery Center. Knowing her backstory of how she was in bondage to very powerful substances, and then seeing her today – successful, vibrant, thriving and powerful in recovery, is one of the great rewards of serving in this ministry. She is an inspiration to me and an example of someone once on a path of destruction now living a fully restored life, helping others on their path to recovery.
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JEFF TAYLOR
OPHTHALMOLOGIST JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2016 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE Prior to joining the board, I had met multiple people who had their lives changed by going through the program at Lifeline. Seeing that type of impact, I wanted to be a part of what they were doing. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION You don’t have to look very far to see the effects of addiction in our communities for sure. Personally, I have experienced the effects of addiction in my career as a physician and even in my own family. LIFELINE’S IMPACT Seeing families reunited has been the most impactful outcome I have seen from the program at Lifeline. Just knowing that we get to have some small part in seeing a parent get their child back makes everything worth it.
TODD TRIMBLE
ENTREPRENEUR JOINED LIFELINE BOARD 2022 WHY I SUPPORT LIFELINE I believe in the statistics, and statistics show that when someone believes in a higher power then they have better than a 70 percent chance of success. Most recovery centers run 28 percent. Believing in God can be a powerful tool in the battle against addiction. First, faith offers a sense of purpose and meaning, reducing the emptiness that often leads to substance abuse. It provides a moral compass, guiding individuals away from destructive behaviors and toward healthier choices. Additionally, religious communities offer support and accountability, creating a network of like-minded individuals who can provide emotional strength and encouragement. The belief in a higher power can instill hope and resilience, helping individuals persevere through the challenges of recovery. I love supporting Lifeline because we believe those we serve can overcome. THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION Dr. Pat Withrow delivered a presentation on addiction about six years ago during the annual Lifeline banquet. I had an epiphany: We all grapple with our own addictions. The crucial question is whether we are willing to confront this disease, genuinely understand it, and, most importantly, extend our help. This realization marked the moment I knew I had a calling to serve. One year later, my eyes had been opened wide. I witnessed countless individuals struggling to overcome their addictions, and I couldn’t ignore the pressing crisis that affects us all. How could I not play a role in addressing this critical issue? LIFELINE’S IMPACT I have a dear friend, a man much younger than myself, who is battling alcohol addiction and, unfortunately, losing that battle. By this, I mean he started a recovery program but eventually walked away from it. Whenever he calls, I answer, and we talk. I offer him encouragement to seek help. Lifeline continues to have a profound impact on him, as several people from their team still reach out to him to this day. Despite their many responsibilities and the numerous people they care for, they keep throwing him a ‘lifeline.’ Their influence extends not only to him, but also to me in a unique way. It’s more than just a job; it’s an opportunity to serve. I find inspiration in those who touch the lives of others, and I am sincerely thankful as Lifeline has impacted my life.
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PASSING IT ON Men’s director uses personal experience to inspire clients Gerren Lawson, a certified alcohol and drug counselor, knows his own counselors were instrumental in his recovery and now tries to be that same inspiration for people he sees at Lifeline. Gerren, program director of the men’s campus, joined Lifeline in June after serving five years at a neighboring facility. He said God put his wife and his counselors in his life to lead him to sobriety. During his recovery journey, he met Rodger Wood and Jim Rundles, now Lifeline counselors, who helped him get sober at 29 after more than a decade in addiction. “Rodger and Jim changed my perspective on what a man was,” Gerren said. Gerren, now the supervisor for 15 staff and 60 clients, understands when his clients share their life stories. “They were not living fulfilling lives,” he said, “and that can affect your mental health. So we work to get to the root of the problem – not with a band-aid solution, but really heal from within. We ask, ‘how do we help you thrive in life?’ ” Even though Gerren grew up with many advantages, he said he failed to thrive and turned to alcohol as a youngster. “I spent my 20s ‘under the influence’ with my substance of choice – a bottle of vodka,” he said. His wife, Crystal, helped him through it when she offered tough love: “She left me. She said she loved me too much to stay and watch me kill myself. That’s when I finally realized something had to change; I had to ask for help.” Gerren now offers a positive outlook to his clients at Lifeline. “Their day-to-day in treatment can get monotonous, so we use positive reinforcement. When they hold up their end of the deal, they see the benefits when we match their efforts with rewards. Then their good behaviors are contagious, and we build on that positivity with new clients coming in.” However, the reality is a national average of two to five relapses on the journey to sobriety, so, of course, he has seen some relapses. “I tell them, ‘If you come back and ask for help again, that’s a success.” And it’s those successes that give him a reason to go to work every day. “The paycheck is just a bonus,” Gerren said. “The real paycheck is having an impact on people turning their lives around.”
Gerren Lawson
Why recovered addicts make good counselors Many of Lifeline’s counselors and other staff have been through recovery themselves. They say they feel a special calling to help others going through the same journey they did, and their clients find them to be credible and understanding. National research* confirms the practice, noting these advantages for the counselors and their clients: • Personal experience. Counselors have been in the shoes of those struggling with addiction. • Additional credibility. Client can’t say “you don’t understand” to one who traveled a similar road. • Build trust. Shared experience can be a strong foundation of trust. • Easily empathize. Counselor can relate to the human experience, not just the disorder. (*Source: Intercoast Colleges Careers on Target: 15 Reasons Why Recovered Addicts Make Good Counselors)
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VALUING THE ‘BACK LINE’ Financial officer sees firsthand Lifeline’s role in changing lives Jenny DeMumbree has a very frontline reason for her work on what she calls the backline. The new chief financial officer of Lifeline became acquainted with the center when someone close to her benefited from its recovery program. “Through that relationship,” she said, “my heart was changed on how I viewed addiction. I didn’t realize the very difficult struggle of the addict and the heartache of families and friends who are so helpless in trying to ‘fix’ their loved one. A seed was planted at Lifeline and, in combination with other recovery centers, counselors, family, friends and above all, Jesus, I am celebrating sobriety with my loved one.”
The experience has reinforced her belief that God keeps promises. “I have seen how ‘God works for the good of those who love him,’ (Romans 8:28)” she said. Lifeline brings a much-needed and valued ministry to our community, she added. “I honor and respect everyone here that plays a part in each person’s life,” she said. “I am excited to be on the backlines to assist in the recovery and restoration of lives and families, and I hope they all know how valuable they are to me and how thankful I am for the second chance they gave to my precious loved one.”
Having spent 10 years in corporate accounting and another 15 in non-profits, she said serving as the financial officer at Lifeline is more fulfilling because “I am working for a cause that is ministering and changing people’s lives.” Jenny, a Paducah native with a bachelor’s in accounting from Murray State University, believes her “backline” role is important to assure the accuracy, integrity and effectiveness of Lifeline’s financial standing. “I understand and am excited that Lifeline is growing so rapidly,” she said, “and with such growth, there is a need for more personnel to administer the needs of the operations.” When her loved one needed the services at Lifeline, Jenny said her view of addiction changed. “It would have been difficult for me to minister to someone struggling with addiction, but I have been on the other side,” she said. “God has allowed me to share and pray with friends, strangers and family members who are in the place where I stood.”
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Jenny DeMumbree
‘GOD’S CHOICE’ Fund development coordinator fulfilling long desire to aid in recovery Her personal mission is to be their voice, “… demonstrating that they CAN and WILL succeed once they complete the program and begin a new chapter in life’s journey.” With a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University, she had worked 19 years in human resources for hospitality, construction, manufacturing, retail and telecom companies. Her duties included serving as a trainer across Kentucky, increasing awareness among business leaders on how to combat substance use and mental health disorders in the workforce. Now she has the opportunity to grow awareness and funding for the same goal. She also is continuing to use her HR expertise to assist the Lifeline team.
Sonia G. Osman
Sonia G. Osman, SHRM-CP, is Lifeline’s fund development coordinator, a new position to grow funding for recovery services. Sonia is no stranger to Lifeline and in fact has been serving as a Lifeline volunteer since 2017, most recently as a board member. “The work at Lifeline Recovery Center wasn’t my choice,” she said, “it was God’s choice. God put a burning desire in my heart to understand and meet people struggling with life-controlling substances.”
“My primary job is to build a strong fund development program to offer services to more clients dealing with life controlling substances,” Sonia said, “while being an advocate within our community to bring awareness of this disease and end the cause of it to make families whole again.” Sonia has seen clients enter the program at the lowest point of their lives, “…with no confidence or self-esteem, wondering what the unknown has to offer.” She then witnesses their transformation after 10 to 12 weeks in the program. “They become individuals who WANT and NEED to become abiding citizens with a second chance in life.” Her goal is that Lifeline can offer services for all who seek them, turning away no one who wants to get sober. “We want to empower individuals to be the person they never thought they could be!”
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‘MOST CHANGED’ AWARD Volunteer’s compassion inspired by Lifeline clients
Jason Bell, co-chair of Lifeline’s annual golf tournament and a Bible study leader on the men’s campus, says he must be Lifeline’s “most changed” non-client. As a volunteer, he said his regular interactions with clients have made him more compassionate and empathetic. “I’m different,” he said. “I’ve never had any issues with substance abuse, but I used to, simply put, think differently. Now I look at things through a clear lens. Through Lifeline, God has changed my perspective on things.” Jason, a railroad supply company account executive from Graves County, said before his Lifeline involvement, he could sum up his life in three buckets – family, church and friends – but he viewed them through what he called a cloudy lens.
Jason and Kenny have worked together at Lifeline’s golf tournament, an event important to the organization -- not only because of its fundraising ($40,000 this year), but also because of its awareness-raising. “The tournament exposes Lifeline to a lot of people who wouldn’t otherwise know about it,” he said. “They meet the clients and staff, and I get asked a lot of questions. Maybe a month later, someone will see me and ask about Lifeline. It opens the conversation.” Jason is grateful to Lifeline Recovery Center for the opportunity to share in the lives of the men and women breaking the chains of addiction. “I am a better Christian, husband, son, father, and overall person because of Lifeline,” he said, “and I thank them for letting me be a part of the journey.”
A personal issue then challenged his lifelong faith in 2018. “I experienced a life-rocking event for me,” he said, “and I looked God right in the face, and I said, I’m going to give you a chance.” His faith deepened, and he began leading a men’s group at his church, Community Life Church. Then, his pastor, Mickey Brown, asked him to play on the church’s team at the Lifeline golf tournament, where he met several Lifeline clients and staff, including executive director Ashley Miller who later asked him to lead a Bible study for Lifeline men. Now, in addition to the Bible study, he drops by regularly to visit with the men at the Ranch, the men’s Ballard County campus, and his wife Becky is involved with the women’s campus. “There’s no place I’d rather be!” he said. He has become reacquainted with Kenny Vasseur, a 2021 Lifeline graduate and now a peer support specialist at the Ranch. Having known Kenny as a child in a good home, Jason said he has realized, “Addiction can happen to anyone,” he said. “Kenny is encouraging proof to me that God is still in the healing business.” Jason Bell
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SELF-SUSTAINING AGAIN Recovery ‘changed everything’ for 51-year-old grandmother
Laurie Rea
As Laurie Rea, 51, reports to work each day at HT Hackney, sometimes she can hardly believe the difference in her life. “I’m a self-sustaining, productive member of society again,” she said. For nearly 20 years, she didn’t feel that pride. Pain pills after foot surgery in her early 30s set her on a collision course with addiction, homelessness and criminal charges. “I lost a good job,” Laurie said, “and my 16-year-old daughter had to drop out of school because we didn’t have a home.” After an arrest in 2020 for possession for methamphetamine, she knew she needed a change and pursued rehab at Lifeline, which became part of her jail sentence. She graduated in December 2021 and lived in Lifeline’s transitional housing until July 2022, when she got her own home and car. During her time at Lifeline, she began working at HT Hackney and has moved up to the receiving
office, where she still works. Her daughter and her 3- and 6-year-old grandchildren, who lovingly call her “Nonna,” have moved to the Paducah area, so they can be a family again. “My experience at Lifeline changed everything for me,” she said, “and I would encourage anyone thinking about it to do it. It’s worth losing everything you thought was important to you to find out what’s really important.” Laurie volunteers weekly as a teacher in Lifeline’s after-care program. She believes no matter where the future takes her (“I’ve always dreamed of owning my own bakery because I love to make cakes and pies!”), she will stay connected to Lifeline. “It keeps me accountable,” she said. “Lifeline has honestly given me the resources and knowledge I need to live, to stay on track, to keep going, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
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SHARING LIFE LESSONS Lifeline graduate uses past to teach today’s youth about pitfalls of addiction It was a dashed dream that started Garrett Hunt, 31, down a path of destruction when he was in college – a lesson he uses now in his youth ministry. A high school baseball standout in Marshall County, he didn’t drink or use drugs and earned a scholarship to college. But when an injury ended his college pitching career, he didn’t know where to turn. “I lost my identity just like that,” Garrett said, “and I fell into drug addiction for the next several years.” An arrest for methamphetamine possession landed him in jail, and a fellow inmate suggested Lifeline.
said, “and now they come to me with issues they are struggling with.” He tells them how his addiction started – by mistakenly having “all my eggs in one basket – baseball” – and encourages them to make sure they are grounded in their faith so they can withstand the ups and downs of life. And to keep him grounded, Garrett stays in touch with his Lifeline friends, his lifelong brothers, as he remains confident in God’s plan to one day become a senior pastor.
“I used it as my ‘get out of jail’ card,” he said, “but in two days, I loved it. I was needing a family and I found a brotherhood that I had not known since baseball.” Garrett discovered his love of the Bible and teaching while at Lifeline, alongside program operation manager John Cox. “He was my Barnabas,” he said, referring to the Biblical disciple known for mentoring and support. After he graduated from Lifeline, Garrett lived in its transitional housing until July 2019, when he married Leslie, a cardiothoracic physician assistant, and began working in church ministry. They have 2-year-old daughter Lorelei and 9-year-old Leo. He also has reconnected with his mother. Serving now as youth pastor of Faith Center, Garrett speaks freely of his addiction experience when he teaches middle and high school youth. “I am working to earn their respect by being authentic,” he Garrett Hunt
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ANNUAL BANQUET RAISES $85,000 FOR ‘FUTURE OF HOPE’ More than 400 people celebrated “A Firm Foundation for a Future of Hope” at our annual banquet in June, hearing from our graduates about their changed lives. The event raised more than $85,000 for our mission of recovery, thanks to individual donations and corporate sponsorships. We love the smiling faces that come together to support Lifeline!
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 DONORS! JANUARY 1- SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 The following donors made gifts to Lifeline Recovery Center in 2023 between January 1- September 30. Your generosity is helping to change lives and transform communities and we are so very thankful for your support. Gifts of $25,000 or more Susan & Ed Bredniak Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation Trust McCracken County
Ken & Beth Hunt Immanuel Baptist Church Kim & Keith Jones Joppa Missionary Baptist Church Rick Loyd
Trinity Baptist Church Inc.
Mid-American Machine
Gifts of $10,000- 24,999
Terrye & Glenn Peeler
Dr. Jay & Jen Brien Faith Center of Paducah Wayne & Sherry Golightly Doreen & Bruce Hahn
New Life Associates Purchase Ear Technology RHE Properties Way of Christ Bible Fellowship Allan Whitaker
Steve & Nancy Powless United Way
Denton Law Firm, PLLC Marshall & Alberta Davis FNB Bank Steve Marberry Sharon Pegram Robertson Hill, Inc. Rosebower Baptist Church Richard Schonscheck Meredith Schroeder Todd & Pam Trimble
Gifts of $2,500 to 4,999 AAA Stowaway CSI Inc. Grace Fellowship Church Terry & Laura Haas H.T. Hackney Company Chuck & Cindy Hall Heartland Church
Gifts of $1,000- 2,499 David & Jan Bailey Bandana United Methodist Baptist Healthcare System Rev. Dr. Bernice Belt Blythe CPAs & Advisors George Bray John Brazzell, MD Brookport Church of God Brian Brown James & Brenda Brown Bryant Law Constantine Curris East Baptist Church First Baptist Church Flying Pig, LLC Free Spirit Motorcycle Ministry Gospel Mission Worship Center Hutson Inc. Wayne & Cindy Jones Jessy King Leeper Family Foundation Kerry Lynn
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Massac United Methodist Church Landen Meeks Sally & Louis Michelson Milliano Audiology, LLC Brad Moore Jared Morgan Melanie Myers Nesbitt’s Docks & Lifts Network for Good New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Newton Creek Baptist Church
Danny Allen Gifts of $5,000- 9,999
Marquette Transportation Company, LLC
M & P Remodeling
Edward & Teresa Nichols Scott & Sonia Osman Paducah Bank & Trust Company Pryorsburg Baptist Church Greg Roberts Samsil & Holland LLC Signet Federal Credit Union Kathy & Kinney Slaughter Sutton Investment & Retirement Partners Joni & Kurt Sutton Jeff & Heather Taylor, MD Twelve Oaks Baptist Church Western Kentucky Regional dba Four Rivers Behavioral Jeremy & Sharon White Jeff & Heather Taylor, MD Patrick Withrow, MD
Gifts of $500- 999 Jason Bell William Brigance, MD Community Christian Church Dan Donaldson Missy & Stan Eckenberg
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 DONORS! Debbie Etheridge
Atmos Energy Corporation
Earl & Marsha Davis
John & Janet Foster
Cindy Bailey
Chris Dick
William & Susan Gilland
Leigh Ann Ballegeer
Carrie Dillard
Jeffrey Golightly
Ashley Barrett
Edward Duff
Grace Baptist Church
Kent Beckman
Marinel Dunigan
Andy & John Grant
John & Carla Berry
Kathy & Gary Eckelkamp
Daniel & Keisha Hopkins
James Boswell
Janette Edwards
Bruce & Jeanna Kimbell
Casey Brantley
Fairways Management, Inc.
Ashley & Eric Miller
Steve Bright
Faith Life Class
New Covenant Fellowship
Jefferson Brown
First Assembly of God
Ike Nichols
Linda & Thomas Bus
Kevin & Jennifer Gaunce Mike & Debbie Gentry Angie Glisson Lisa Glisson Rickie & J.D. Goode Graceland Management Services, LLC Kim Grafel Brenda Grooms Cindy Hart Robert Healey Andrea Higdon Kenneth & Joyce Hines Mike & Frances Hovekamp Jim Humprheys Hillary Hunt
Lifeline peer support specialist Rachelle Puckett greets her family and friends after sharing her testimony of recovery at the annual banquet in June. Foster Pearson
CFSB
Rotary Club
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Pat Thompson D.B. Trigg Williams Heating & Air Inc. Lee Willingham
Gifts of $1- 499 3 C’s Concrete Work, LLC Abundant Life Worship Center James & Barbara Allen Amazon Smile Foundation Anonymous
James & Claire Hunt Jan & James Hylko Independence Foundation Heather Jackson Jackson Purchase Energy Roxie Jarvis
Christian Fellowship
Ken Jerrell
J.W. Cleary
Eddie Jones
Andrew Collins
Edwin A. Jones
Sharon Combs
Austin Kennady
Christina Combs
Penny Knott
Community Life Church
Lake Chem Community Federal Credit Union
Concord United Methodist Concord United Methodist Women James Conn Lisa Courtney
Kathryn Lankton Lone Oak FBC Kenneth Long
Kaylee Cursey
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 DONORS! Jeffrey Marcotte
Payton Sherrill
Top Quality Consignment
Sherry Martin
Suzanne Shidal
Jimmy Massey
Shiloh Baptist Church
Trace Creek Missionary Baptist Church
Kristina McDowell
Bryan Shumate
Larry & Mary McIntosh
Robert Simpson
Richard McKinney
Shannon Smith
Thomas Mclelland
Matt Snow
Matthew Moore
Roy & Jane Snyder
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Southland Baptist Temple
Mary Neikam
Brenda Spees
Wayne Upshaw US Bank Anita Vance Joe Vance Bob Wade Jill Wagner William Walden
Brianna Neukomm Snookie Oglesby Baccus & Jennie Oliver Danny Orazine Doug Orazine Shirley & Darrell Orazine Don & Belinda Page Dixie Phifer Jeffrey Pierce Kay Pinkley Jack Powless Cheryl Raspberry Brandy Reed Larry & Karen Reichart Nancy Reynolds William Robertson Greg & Traci Rodulfo Nicole Rooyakkers
We are grateful for supporters who join us at our annual banquet (more on page 19).
Craig & Susan Rothwell Darrin B. Rudolph
Rebecca Stanley
Anthony & Natalie Rupard
David Stokes
Ann Rushing
Phyllis Stovesand
Allan & Nancy Sanders
James B. Tankersley
Jane Scelzi
Dona Rains & Joe Tarantino
Bonnie Schrock
Richard Taylor
Roberta Sewell
Otis & Melissa Thaxton
Shady Grove Baptist Church
Michele Thomas
Howard Shafer
Magen Tinsley Glen & Linda Titsworth
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Michael & Debra Walker Waterfront Services Co. Leslie Weber West Kentucky Memorial Group Wickliffe First Baptist Church Mike & Meg Wiersema Carrie Wildharber John & Vivian Williams Sandra Wilson Bryan & LaCretia Womach
Anita Wood Marlen Wood Woodmen Life- Chapter 2 Robin & Bill Woods Linda Woodward Barbera Worthen Steven Wright Eric Ziegler
Miliano Audiology, LLC Miller Hahn, PLLC Nesbitt’s Dock & Lifts Network for Good New Life Associates Paducah Bank & Trust Company Purchase Ear Technology RHE Properties Robertson Hill, Inc.
Business Donors AAA Stowaway 3 C’s Concrete Work LLC Amazon Smile Foundation Atmos Energy Corporation Baptist Health System Services Blythe CPAs & Advisors Bryant Law Center CFSB CSI Inc. Denton Law Firm, PLLC Fairways Management, Inc. Flying Pig, LLC FNB Bank Four Rivers Behavioral Health Graceland Management Services, LLC
H.T. Hackney Company
Rotary Club Samsil & Holland, LLC Signet Federal Credit Union Sutton Investment & Retirement Partners Top Quality Consignment
Grace Fellowship Church Heartland Church Immanuel Baptist Church Joppa Missionary Baptist Church Lone Oak First Baptist Church Massac United Methodist Church Mt. Zion Baptist Church New Covenant Fellowship New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Newton Creek Baptist Church Pryorsburg Baptist Church Rosebower Baptist Church Shady Grove Baptist Shiloh Baptist Church
US Bank
Southland Baptist Temple
Waterfront Services Co Western Kentucky Regional dba, Four Rivers Behavioral Williams Heating & Air Inc. Woodmen Life- Chapter 2
Trace Creek Missionary Baptist Church Trinity Baptist Church Inc. Twelve Oaks Baptist Church Way of Christ Bible Fellowship Wickliffe First Baptist Church
Church Donors Abundant Life Worship Center Bandana United Methodist Brookport Church of God Christian Fellowship
Jackson Purchase Energy
Community Life Church
Independence Foundation
Community Christian Church
Kroger Community Rewards
Concord United Methodist Concord United Methodist Women East Baptist Church
M&P Remodeling
Faith Baptist Church
Marquette Transportation Company, LLC McCracken County
Faith Life Class
Mid-America Machine
Grace Baptist Church
United Way
Hutson Inc.
Lake Chem Community Federal Credit Union Leeper Family Foundation
Gospel Mission Worship Center
Faith Center of Paducah First Assembly of God First Baptist Church Free Spirit Motorcycle Ministry
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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PADUCAH, KY PERMIT NO. #44
Lifeline Recovery Center P.O. Box 7652 Paducah, KY 42002
100 GOLFERS
RAISE $40,000 FOR RECOVERY
More than 100 golfers and dozens of volunteers enjoyed a beautiful September day at Paxton Park at our 14th annual golf tournament. The event, chaired by Todd Trimble, raised $40,000 for recovery. Special thanks to sponsors Nesbitt’s Docks, Sutton Group and Wyatt Property Group. What a blessing they are in the lives of our clients and their families!
Lifeline Recovery Center Board of Directors Steve Powless, Board Chair Ashley Miller, Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Taylor, Treasurer David Bailey Rev. Dr. Bernice Belt Carla Berry Dr. Casey Brantley Tony Copeland Missy Eckenberg Terry Haas Robert L. Hill Ken Hunt Bonnie Schrock Todd Trimble
To donate, text GIVE to 270.279.8262
P.O. Box 7652, Paducah, Ky. 42002 | 270.443.4743 | info@LifelineRecoveryCenter.org | www.LifelineRecoveryCenter.org