North Georgia United Methodist - Multiplying Financial Resources for Mission and Ministry

For Lydia Cornelius, September 27, 2006 marks the beginning of a clean, sober life made possible by Breakthru House, a Decatur-based residential treatment program for women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

“The first time I ever used drugs I was about four-years-old,” Lydia said. “My mom, who was an addict, would give me alcohol as a reward for babysitting my siblings.” In spite of poverty, homelessness, and escalating drug and alcohol abuse, Lydia graduated from high school and received a college scholarship.

“When I went to college, my addiction spiraled out of control. I used everything I could get my hands on–heroin, crystal meth and crack,” said Lydia. “I lost friends, got bad grades, overdosed, and had a seizure. And still I would do anything for drugs.”

Fortunately a professor and counselor intervened. Lydia said, “I arrived at Breakthru House broken and hopeless. Through a constant emphasis on therapeutic discussions and practices, they helped me heal in a very positive, supportive, and spiritual-based environment. Breakthru was instrumental in saving my life.”

During her recovery, Lydia discovered a passion for social work. “In being given so much, how can I want to do anything but give back? I want to be a part of that opening up in others, that transformative process of owning pain and walking through it into spiritual and emotional growth,” she said.

“Since completing the program, Lydia has found employment, returned to college, and is now committed to carrying a message of hope and recovery through her volunteer work in the community,” said Faye Stullken, administrative director of Breakthru House. “On behalf of the board of directors, the staff, and all of our clients, I would like to thank the North Georgia United Methodist Foundation for this grant, which gives women like Lydia an opportunity for treatment that they otherwise would not have been able to afford.”