By Shaun Szkolnik
For The Tribune
WASHINGTON — The state of Alabama, as with most of the nation, is in the midst of an opioid crisis. While there are no clear answers on how to end the epidemic, any solution must include helping the victims of addiction reintegrate into a world that can be long on temptation and short on support. That is where the Will Bright Foundation comes in.
According to the foundation, their mission is to serve a need for a secondary form of recovery in central and west Alabama. This second form of recovery is necessary because often those who have completed a recovery may not be ready to function in the world. They need more than what can be given in the first form of recovery. They need spiritual guidance, job skills, a sense of worth and a sense of purpose. The Will Bright Foundation seeks to provide precisely that at their transitional center, Restoration Springs, which is located in Fayette, Alabama.
As important as that mission is, it is almost as important that the word be spread. A second form of recovery may be key in saving an untold number of lives, but it will only be successful if it is known and if there are resources in place to support it.
Bill and Lisa Bright, of The Will Bright Foundation, will be in the nation’s capital this week spreading that word and educating others as to the vital importance of this project.
“We will be traveling to Washington DC Tuesday…for two days to speak on Capitol Hill to members of congress concerning the opioid crisis,” Lisa said. “I don’t have my complete schedule but I do know for sure we will be meeting with Senator (Richard) Shelby and Congressman (Robert) Aderholt. One of our goals is to be a voice for non-opioid choices to be covered by insurance and also to share our story from the parent’s perspective about how opioid addiction is killing our children. We will also have a private tour of the West Wing and Oval Office.”
The Brights will be sharing with leaders in Washington how important it is that recovering addicts be offered places of refuge while they are healing, and faith-based solutions that can serve as the foundation on which their transformed lives will be built.
“Next step recovery is essential to someone coming out of a recovery center but is in need of additional guidance,” Lisa said. “Most recovering addicts do not need to return from where they came from due to old stresses and influences. At Restoration Springs, we offer a safe place to live, assistance in finding employment, community involvement and life skills training. We are faith based and are connected with several churches in our community. Our guys participate in Celebrate Recovery and other small groups, and this offers them a chance to discover their purpose. We do serve projects to give back to the community that has supported and welcomed us. Having a purpose in life is essential to living a life free from addictions.”
The Brights know this approach works because it already has.
“Our very first resident came to us with no job, no money, but he was wanting to break the bonds of his past life,” Lisa said. “He stayed with us for seven months and now has a great job with benefits, bought a truck, and is living on his own. Through our savings program, he was able to save up enough money to put a down payment on an apartment.”
To learn more about the Will Bright Foundation, please visit here.