Isaiah House receives grant to battle opioid abuse
Published 2:05 pm Monday, May 1, 2023
NEWS RELEASE
Isaiah House has been awarded a grant of $250,000 from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to create the Isaiah House Recovery Life Center. The announcement was made by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron during a press conference on Thursday in the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda.
The Recovery Life Center, which will be located at 1090 Industry Rd., Harrodsburg, will expand opportunities for educational attainment, employment, and community connection for women with substance use disorder and/or opioid use disorder. It will also create opportunities for the community at large to learn about evidence-based practices that reduce stigma, encourage treatment, and increase the likelihood of recovery success. The project will also expand GED instruction and college certificate/degree programs provided by higher education partners to Isaiah House clients and the community.
“We are thrilled to receive this gift from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to create a Recovery Life Center for our community,” said Nick Wren, CEO of Isaiah House. “This funding will allow us to further our commitment to providing high-quality care to women and being stewards in our communities. We are grateful to the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission and Attorney General Cameron for their support in this important effort.”
In addition, this new community space will be used for activities that promote lifelong recovery such as social community activities, 12-step meetings, and parenting classes. As an approved KY trainer for Adult Peer Support Specialists, Isaiah House will recruit, and train peer leads and volunteers to assist in leading these community programs.
The Recovery Life Center will serve two populations: women with SUD/OUD who are in residential treatment and those living in recovery housing or independently in the community, and the general population including men and women in recovery, along with friends, family, and community members who have been impacted by addictive behavior and/or who are interested in learning about and helping to address SUD/OUD in their communities.
Isaiah House has partnered with Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Bluegrass Workforce Innovation Board, Mercer County Skills U Adult Education Center, Mercer County Health Department, Mercer County ASAP, Goodwill Industries of KY, and Mercer County Ministerial Association to create the Recovery Life Center.
“For too long, the opioid epidemic has maintained a tight and painful grip on Kentuckians, but today there is hope and there is help.” said Attorney General Cameron. “Providing organizations with the resources necessary to combat the opioid epidemic is part of a larger effort by my office to stem the tide of the drug crisis. I commend each of these organizations for their efforts to fight this scourge, and I appreciate the diligent work of the Commission throughout the grant process.”
Isaiah House was one of 24 programs across the Commonwealth to receive funding from the KYOAAC.
Isaiah House donates Easter baskets
With the help of the community, Teresa Mobley put together over 400 Easter baskets for people in recovery at Isaiah House.
“People in recovery are the toughest people I know,” Teresa said. “Some of the people that gave are former clients of Isaiah House, some had sons pass away from addiction, some have daughters in treatment now.”
Baskets came from all over including Versailles, Harrodsburg, Danville, Lawrenceburg, and some as far away as Bowling Green. They included snacks, socks, and personal care items.
Daryl Carlson to board of directors
Carlson is an expert in employee benefits planning, implementation, and service, currently working at McGriff Insurance Services. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and holds the prestigious Certificate Financial Planner designation.
“What impresses me most about Isaiah House is the team’s dedication to restoring hope to those who lost it or never had it,” said Carlson. “I’m excited to be a part of the board to support the organization’s mission to provide the most comprehensive program for those who need it.”
Isaiah House Board Chairman Ronnie Ping said, “We are thrilled to welcome Daryl Carlson to our board of directors. His experience and expertise in employee benefits planning will be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand our organization’s services. We look forward to his contributions to our mission of helping those struggling with addiction.”
As a new board member, Daryl Carlson plans to encourage, support, and enable those working with clients and the community to have the best opportunity for success and fulfillment in their work.
Daryl and his wife, Tammy, have been married for 40 years and have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren. The couple resides in Nicholasville.
Isaiah House is thrilled to welcome Daryl Carlson to its board of directors and looks forward to his contributions in advancing the organization’s mission.
For more information about Isaiah House and its services, visit www.isaiah-house.org.