KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Metro Drug Coalition wants to inspire everyone in Tennessee with the hope that recovery is possible. On March 10, the organization held its fifth annual "Day of Hope".
Stephen Dees understands the power of hope, something he found through his faith.
"Today, I'm a minister, I'm an ordained minister, I have a beautiful career, I have a beautiful wife, I have a life that I never thought I could have," Dees said. "And that was after 14 years of meth addiction, that's after probably just about that many years locked up."
Dees and his wife Catt help Blount County residents struggling with addiction at True Purpose Ministries. They help people get sober through the faith-based ministry.
"Recovery is so much more than just getting clean," Catt Dees said. "It truly is about healing those deep wounds those traumas that caused us to seek those things, so that we can self medicate and escape the wounds that we've not dealt with."
MDC hosts events leading up to and after the Day of Hope. One of those was Sober Yoga at Renegade Yoga. Jeff Bell is an instructor.
"It's been a really important part of our community, not just for people who are in recovery from drugs or alcohol, but we have people who come for all kinds of reasons they have emotional trauma, or, you know, just personal life challenges," Bell said.
Renegade Yoga regularly hosts sober yoga on Friday nights, when some people might want to fall into the routine of drinking or using on the weekends. Its a donation based class, so Bell said payment is not required but encouraged. Everyone can chip in as much as they like.
"When the weekend comes, having this class to come to on Friday night is a real salvation for a lot of people," he said. "Because, you know, it's, it's a social activity, but it's also really good for you know, their recovery, body, mind, soul, all of that."
Newport United Methodist Church also took part in spreading hope by having members of their congregation sign a poster and write a message of inspiration.
There are still events happening later this month. You can still share what gives you hope on social media under the hashtag #tndayofhope or #breathishope.