Volunteer Sees Addiction Through New Eyes

Volunteer Anita Vance has had her own spiritual awakening in the last five years, thanks to her work with women at Lifeline.

“I hate to admit it,” she said, “but I lived in a padded Christian cell before that. I did not know Paducah had a drug problem.”

That changed when she heard a Ladies Living Free testimony at a women’s conference at her church, Lone Oak First Baptist Church.

She signed up as a volunteer – first driving women clients to the store or appointments, then later as a “Financial Peace University” facilitator and a parenting class teacher. “The Lord has opened my eyes to these sweet girls who could be my daughters. Some have made some bad choices, and some have been the victims of others’ bad choices.”

Like her, many fellow Christians don’t “have a clue. They judge. They think everyone with a drug problem has purple hair and tattoos. Some of them do, but not all. The important thing is to look past that and not judge.”

Paint day volunteers Terrye Peeler, Anita Vance and Doreen Hahn.

Most of her clients are in their late 20s and 30s, but some are well into their 50s. “I’ve had several grandmothers – one, I remember, had had surgery and gotten addicted to painkillers.”

Anita, a former second-grade teacher, is a mother of three and grandmother of four. She feels a kinship to the women, many of whom are separated from their children. “They tear up every time they speak of their children,” she said.

As one of about 65 volunteers serving in the women’s and men’s programs, Anita brings the joy of Christ with her every Monday when she arrives to teach her two classes. She carries that over to their graduation ceremonies, Christmas parties and other celebrations, even leading the classes in fun skits, such as “My God” from “Sister Act.”

At a recent gathering, one of her students told her: “I didn’t know you could have this much fun being sober!”

Her affection and empathy for her students have changed her, even giving her a new understanding when her own cousin recently experienced a battle with addiction. “I had led such a protected life, but now my eyes have been opened.”