Dear Friends and Family,
Happy holidays to each of you! We remain so grateful for your contributions to the Ben Lucas Foundation and the opportunity to impact the lives of those who desperately need it.
We are using this year’s fundraising effort to immediately provide scholarships to our trusted partners, Tulip Hill Recovery and ARCHway Institute’s Hope Campaign. The below message of gratitude is from one of the Tulip Hill Recovery individuals you supported in 2022:
“I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had at Tulip Hill. For the first time in my life, I was able to work through and process experiences in my life that were traumatic for me. I learned that I used drugs and alcohol to feel better as a solution to my trauma and depression. I was able to get my job back by completing the program and now have 389 days sober. I cannot say thank you enough.”
And here’s an update on how the funds were used at ARCHway:
“We wanted to update you on exactly how your contributions are making an impact. First, we’ve provided two grants this year directly from The Ben Lucas Foundation HOPE Fund Sponsorship. One grant went to Awaken Recovery in Maryland to support their comprehensive recovery-oriented workforce re-entry program called A Chance for C.H.A.N.G.E. This program provides substance free housing, accountability, life skills coaching, employment preparation, and more for those impacted by substance use disorder. The second grant was provided to Code 1 Wellness in Missouri. This program provides counseling services, support groups, case management, and outreach for those in the community impacted by substance use and mental health disorders. They pay special attention to first responders and veterans through their services.“
Below is a brief glimpse into the situations of five individuals who are under the care of Tulip Hill yet unable to pay in the coming year due to reset deductibles that we intend to support.
[The following stories may be hard to read, however we believe it’s important to share the real, raw challenges these individuals have and will continue to face. Thank you for joining us in fighting the stigma of addiction and supporting recovery. Your help will have generational impact as these individuals are offered freedom from addiction.]
- WS – He is a 26 year old from Elora, TN. The client used crystal meth and he also suffers from depression that started at a young age as a result of being sexually abused. The client has a history of self harm, which along with the drug abuse, is a way that he copes with his trauma and mental health disorder. The client is currently in his first 30 days of our programming and has shown a tremendous amount of willingness early on in the program. The client has been a great member of the community and is taking advantage of the opportunity that he has. This money would be contributed to his insurance premiums as his employer is not paying them while he is on leave due to him not being employed there long enough.
- EN – She is a 23 year old from LaVergne, TN. The client’s addictions are heroin and fentanyl, which has resulted in 7 overdoses in her life. She has acknowledged how lucky she is to be alive and has shown a real desire to change her life and behaviors in order to stay sober. The client has suffered significant amounts of physical abuse by her significant other that has been reported and she filed for a restraining order within her first week of being in our program. This money would be used towards the clients deductible when it resets in January of 2023.
- MR – He is a 37 year old male from Manchester, TN. The client admitted into our program as a result of his addiction to crystal meth and alcoholism. The client is very early into our program and has voiced his motivation for change in his life. The client reports realizing that certain events in his life were traumatic and steered him down a path of drug addiction at an early age. The client has a supportive girlfriend in his life but they do not have the means to pay his deductible.
- AL – He is a 23 year old from Hartselle, AL. The client suffers from severe anxiety and depression disorders, as well as addiction to benzodiazepines and opiates. The client reports that he has suffered from anxiety and depression for as long as he can remember and “drugs gave me a release from my anxiety and depression.” The client has dove into our program and has been consistent in showing a drive to grow and heal throughout the early stages. The client does not have the means or support to cover his deductible.
- JE – He is a 53 year old male from Hermitage, TN. The client suffers from PTSD, and has severe alcohol use disorder and severe stimulant use disorder. The client has a family history of abuse and addiction and has lost a number of family members as a result. The client is in the early stages of our program and has shown and voiced a desire to break the cycle in his life and a family. The client lost his job as a result of his addiction and does not have the means to pay for his deductible.
With gratitude,
The Ben Lucas Foundation