Area residents battling drug and alcohol addictions had a chance to gather and celebrate the New Year while staying sober Saturday.
Empower House Ministries and Therapy Services LLC quickly organized the event. Gayle Taylor-Ford, the executive director of Therapy Services, Empower House Board of Directors president and a recovering addict for nearly 30 years, says people struggling with addictions need activities like this in the community.
Empower House leader Ashley Loomis agrees and would like to see more people attend next year, if the event is indeed set on the calendar. She’s celebrating her first year sober, and she says it has been a challenge to reach that milestone.
Saturday’s activities started with a 12-step meeting before moving into a dance and raffle activities. Fundraising totals and plans for an event next year are pending.
Therapy Services offers several services, including drug testing, DUI and substance abuse awareness classes and information about relapse prevention, while Empower House offers a faith-based recovery home for women and is looking to do the same for men later this year. More information is online at therapyservicesonline.com or empowerhouseministries.org.