Acceptance Recovery Center brings powerful ‘WINDS OF CHANGE’ to the Athens Community! Over 100 people attended the Second Annual Winds of Change Symposium on Sunday, March 4, 2018 in support of Women in Recovery. The event, which took place at Athens’ well known local venue, The Foundry, raised more than $2,500 through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and a raffle. The annual event promotes awareness of addiction recovery as well as raises funds for Acceptance Recovery Center’s future women’s program.
The raffle-style auction incorporated unique items like a Family Photography session with MDR Imagery, gift certificate’s to award-winning eateries Pulaski Heights BBQ and South Kitchen+Bar and, the grand prize, a $500 Visa gift card.
The evening began with Dr. Carly Redding, ARC Board of Directors President, greeting guests and welcoming everyone. Following Dr. Redding, April Allred, ARC Board of Directors Secretary, gave insight into the disease of addiction by sharing her personal journey through alcoholism and what she has lost through her battle . She ended the speech by inviting anyone who had walked with her through her addiction and recovery to join her at the front of the stage. April honored and thanked them and tearfully declared “I am proof that recovery works!”
Following Ms. Allred, Holly Barker took the stage. Holly shared her story from the perspective of a family member. She told the story of her younger brother, who battle addiction for many years and tragically died from overdose less than a year ago. She and her husband are now raising his young son. Her recent revelation on seeing brokenness as beautiful challenged everyone in attendance.
Next, Acceptance Recovery Center Founder and CEO Brandy Anderson stepped up to the podium. Brandy effortlessly engaged the crowd by sharing a bit of her own story and why recovery is so central to her heart. Her own remarkable recovery was a catalyst for the inception of ARC. She ended the speech with a call to arms. She challenged everyone by asking “what are you doing to end the stigma of addiction?” and encouraged everyone to use their “most powerful weapon – their voice” to continue spreading the light of recovery.
Dr. Richard “Dick” Daniels closed the evening with a few words about the success of the current men’s programs and the need for the future women’s program. After Dr. Daniels ended with a fitting prayer of thankfulness and hope, the musical guest for the evening began their performance.
Ransom Nation, consisting of local professional musicians, all connected to recovery in various ways, played a riveting setlist geared toward celebrating recovery and hope. The most memorable moment of the set came when vocalist Chevas Phillips sang Somebody’s Someone, written by Daphne Willis. Her powerful, heartfelt delivery of the lyrics captured the spirit of the evening and moved every heart in the room.
Acceptance Recovery Center is a treatment center for the addicted and homeless population of Athens, GA. During the last two years, the men’s program has seen it’s enrolled increased over 300% and currently has a full waiting list. Restoring men to their families is it’s first goal. Families are involved monthly and take part in many of the activities and events and, because of the emphasis on the entire family, the need for a women’s program is more apparent than ever.
Please continue to support Acceptance Recovery Center as they raise awareness and funds to open a local women’s program. ARC believes that just as addiction is a family disease, recovery is a family pursuit.
