Friday
Through counseling, support and unconditional love, Demetrius overcame his addiction...
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Throughout the year, ABC13 partners with local nonprofits to help meet a need in our community through our "Community Counts" initiative. For the month of September, the UP Foundation is our partner.
Dr. James Stewart, director of the UP Foundation, calls the nonprofit Lynchburg's best-kept secret, but he doesn't want it to be a secret anymore. The UP Foundation helps people suffering from substance use and mental health disorders through support, counseling, education, and love. The word "UP" in their title stands for "Unlimited Potential." Dr. James Stewart started the nonprofit back in 2015. He wanted to address a need in this community, especially when it comes to kids and teens.
He said it's important that younger generations understand, it's okay to get help.
"We want to eliminate the stigma of addiction so people can get the help they need, just like any other problem someone might have. When someone has a medical problem like diabetes or cancer or whatever, there is no stigma that prevents them from getting help. We want to reduce that stigma as far as addiction and recovery is concerned," explained Dr. Stewart.
Dr. Stewart said this is a mission close to his heart.
I'm very fortunate to be able to say I'm one of the many faces and voices of recovery, and I have 18 years now of wonderful recovery," said Dr. Stewart. "This is my way of giving back to the community and letting people know that recovery is possible. Addiction does not have a face, it does not have a zip code and it affects almost every family at some level.
Dr. Stewart said one in four families have a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder, and even more people know someone facing that battle.
The UP Foundation's motto is to provide hope, healing and recovery, but it's not just a phrase. It's a movement that is saving lives, one miracle at a time.
