Growing up in Knott County, Kentucky, Dana was no stranger to addiction. Both of her parents struggled with substance use disorder, and she was raised by her grandmother. “My dad was in prison, and my mom was out with whoever and wherever,” Dana said. “She left me and my sister wondering where she was all the time.” From a young age, she was determined to go down a different path. But at 16 years old, she got into a car accident that left her with severe injuries to her leg and underwent 13 surgeries to save the limb. She was…

The holiday season is here, and a local nonprofit, Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA), is asking for the community’s support to ensure the families they serve can enjoy this time of year. In Clay County and throughout southeast Kentucky, VOA provides recovery support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and works to reunite families broken apart by addiction.  Keshea, a 29-year-old mother of four, experienced first-hand how these services can change lives. When she was 12, Keshea was molested by a family member, and as a young teen she turned to substances to cope with her trauma. She spent…

The holiday season is here, and a local nonprofit, Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA), is asking for the community’s support to ensure the families they serve can enjoy this time of year. In Clay County and throughout southeast Kentucky, VOA provides recovery support for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and works to reunite families broken apart by addiction.  Keshea, a 29-year-old mother of four, experienced first-hand how these services can change lives. When she was 12, Keshea was molested by a family member, and as a young teen she turned to substances to cope with her trauma. She spent…

Manchester, KY — A recent study shows that Clay County’s Family Recovery Court (FRC) has generated significant financial savings—totaling more than $519,000—while helping families overcome substance use disorder and reunite with their children. The FRC program, a voluntary initiative led by Volunteers of America and Judge Clint Harris in partnership with the Department of Community Based Services, focuses on safety, sobriety, and long-term family stability. By coordinating community services, FRC helps parents become responsible caregivers and provides access to treatment, job opportunities, and educational resources. Key Benefits · Faster family reunification · Improved parenting skills · Better access to treatment…

By Louisville Courier Journal Maggie Menderski

On Friday, Sept. 5, Clay County resident and local nonprofit leader Stephanie Hoskins was sworn in to the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Hoskins is the Senior Director of Rural Addiction Recovery Services at Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA). VOA is a human-services organization that works to empower and uplift the communities they serve. VOA’s recovery programs provide support and treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and work to reunite families broken apart by addiction. Hoskins is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S), and Clinical Services Supervisor (CSS)….

Just eight months ago, 56-year-old Clay County resident, James Lyttle, had fallen on hard times. He spent most of his life working regularly but after he lost his job, he struggled to find other opportunities. “I was in a slump,” James said. “I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do or where to go next.”  After months of searching for jobs and coming up short, James began to feel hopeless until a friend connected him with a new Workforce Reintegration Program through Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA).  VOA is one of the region’s oldest not-for-profit organizations. For 129 years, the organization…

Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a not-for-profit organization that has been empowering and providing support for individuals struggling with things such as homelessness, addiction, veteran services, and more for 129 years. At the beginning of this year, VOA released a new service line in Knox County. This new line has already provided support for a married couple, Karri and Kris Gilreath. Karri and Kris both struggled with addiction individually for decades, until they met each other and the struggles of substance abuse brought them closer. The shared addiction would eventually lead the pair to being incarcerated. However, while in jail, the couple found comfort…

Dear Editor, On behalf of Volunteers of America Mid-States, my colleagues and I are deeply honored to receive the 2025 Appalachian Recovery Award at the SOAR Summit. This recognition belongs not just to our organization, but to the entire Clay County community that has embraced and supported Freedom House from day one. Since opening our doors in March 2020, Freedom House Manchester has served 689 women, 382 children, and welcomed 25 healthy babies into the world — providing a safe place for mothers to heal from substance use disorder, rebuild their lives, and strengthen their families. These numbers reflect far…

The holiday season is here and while some of our Clay County families are decorating, baking delicious sweets, and getting their houses ready for festivities, others are spending this time preparing for a new year and a second chance at a hopeful, stable life. Willa is a Leslie County native and is currently a resident of Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) Freedom House – a nationally recognized recovery program that supports pregnant and parenting mothers overcoming addiction. A unique and critical component to the program’s effectiveness is that Freedom House allows mothers to bring any and all of their children…