Community Non-Profit Spotlight… Red Legacy serves women battling addiction
Published 10:17 pm Monday, January 31, 2022
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Star Photo/Gracie Fields Red Legacy Executive Director Samantha Loveday and Jona Casteel, one of the clients assisted by the non-profit in downtown Elizabethton.
Star Photo/Gracie Fields The inside of Red Legacy is set up to make the clients seeking assistance with addiction to be comfortable when they are at the facility.
Star Photo/Gracie Fields Red Legacy is one of many non-profits in Elizabethton and Carter County that provides support for people that otherwise not be able to afford to get help from such issues as addiction.
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BY GRACIE FIELDS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Founded by Angelee Murray in 2012, Red Legacy provides help to women in recovery from addiction.
The non-profit is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the group serves females residing in the upper eight counties of East Tennessee. The volunteers assist in the recovery and sobriety process by providing many programs, essentials, and individual need-based workers.
“Our target audience is women who wish to begin their recovery process. We let them come to us when they’re ready,” said Executive Director Samantha Loveday. “We also don’t want them to feel like a client because they’re just another person, like us.”
The organization’s goal is to make its meeting spaces welcoming and comforting for those who attend them.
The organization provides necessities as well as other needs for the new and continuous members.
“We currently have 40 to 45 members that we provide our services to,” said Loveday.
Transportation, housing, and meals are a guarantee for those who seek the help of Red Legacy.
“We have tons of facilities that our members can use anytime they need. We want to be the people they can rely on,” Loveday said.
Red Legacy provides specific groups Monday through Friday for enrolled members.
“We have an Alcoholics Anonymous group to help recovering and struggling alcoholics,” said Loveday. “We also have ‘Al-Anon’ meetings where we work with the family members of those who are struggling with substance abuse.”
The organization also provides a group on Wednesdays at noon for those who are interested in beginning their recovery journey.
“I joined the program in October of 2018 and they immediately took care of me. I was provided with everything I needed to make my recovery,” said Jona Casteel.
She was assisted in all areas of life during her time of recovery. “I was taught basic life skills up until the point I was able to drive myself to our group meetings,” said Casteel. The organization has its members participate in group-based meetings to provide support and friendship during the time of recovery.
The organization has many facilities open to the public through scheduling.
“We know how paying for things like venues or birthday parties can be an obstacle, which is why we opened our community center,” said Loveday.
The community center can be used as a venue for a variety of events. There are many other facilities that can be accessed by the public for a variety of reasons.
Community members can also contribute to the organization by donating products such as hygiene products. Red Legacy has provided assisted recovery for almost 10 years and plans to continue to provide for those who seek help.
