Friday
Through counseling, support and unconditional love, Demetrius overcame his addiction...
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — ABC13 is partnering with local nonprofits to try and help meet a need in our community through our "Community Counts" initiative, and in September, the UP Foundation is our partner.
The foundation, which stands for "Unlimited Potential," helps people struggling with mental health and substance use disorders through counseling, education and support. It's an organization that is changing lives in the Lynchburg area, one miracle at a time.
"I thought I was a lost cause in a sense," said Brianna Barnette, a participant at UP.
"I didn't ever think I'd get sober again, so I'd kind of given up on life," said Staci Johnston, another participant in UP's recovery program.
Those are common feelings for many of the people who walk through the doors of the UP Foundation.
"There was a time when I couldn't go five minutes without using," said Brianna.
Before coming to UP, Brianna said her life revolved around drugs and other substances.
"It's what I had seen every day since I was young, so believing there was a way of life besides that... I didn't believe it was attainable," explained Brianna.
However, the UP foundation showed her there is life after addiction.
They help in more ways than just somewhere to stay. It really is a community that helps in every aspect of your life. What they do here is more than just recovery. It's actually helping people rebuild their life. Once you take that first step anything is possible," Brianna said.
It's a similar story for Staci.
"If there's anyone that was hopeless, it was me. I had given up all hope. I honestly and truly believed I was done," Staci said, full of emotion.
She said she's been battling addiction since she was a teenager and ended up in and out of jail because of it.
"I'm 41 years old and I've been dealing with this since I was 19. Addiction has completely consumed me... I was bad," Staci said through tears.
Now, she's seven months in recovery, and she said that's thanks to the UP foundation.
Staci said their unwavering compassion and support have given her a purpose and hope.
I don't have the words to express it. They provided me with love so now I can finally love myself. I can love my children. I've never been able to do that," Staci said.
Brianna says it's the same for her. UP gave her her life and family back.
"When I came into the program, my daughter wasn't even calling me mom at the time. I had to regain their trust back, and I had to do all the things just to see my daughter," Brianna said in tears.
Both Staci and Brianna said they have found their "Unlimited Potential" through UP.
"I now have an opportunity in life... to be a better mother, a daughter," Staci said with a smile.
"It doesn't matter where you came from; it matters where you're going, and there's people here in the community willing to help. All you have to do is walk through the door," said Brianna.
