General Assembly Honors CRC's Life Center of Galax
Many times when individuals have all but given up on themselves, the Life Center of Galax offers hope to those battling substance abuse problems.
Local Delegate Bill Carrico [R-Galax] said that was a big reason behind his House of Delegates' Resolution to commend the Galax facility.
Carrico was on hand at the Life Center of Galax on July 7 to commend the employees of the facility and to present them with a copy of Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 288, which passed through the House of Delegates on Feb. 19 of this year with the state's Senate concurring.
"There is a lot of good people that work at this facility and offer assistance to people who have somehow, somewhere along the way gave up hope and they have often since then been in some difficult situations," Carrico said. "I think a lot of times you all see people who have given up on themselves and you've been angels of mercy sent by Christ to direct them and serve them that there is always a way that you can get through these troubled times. There is always someone to come along and pick up the towel and say there is more hope and there is always hope if you just lean on that individual and Christ, who gives you the inspiration to help them."
Carrico said being able to honor facilities like the Life Center of Galax is one of the best things he can do in government. In reading the resolution, Carrico noted that the Life Center has helped thousands of patients battle substance abuse since its inception in 1973. Beginning with 38 beds and serving just a few patients, the Galax facility now can accommodate 103 patients, treating nearly 1,900 in 2009.
Carrico said while the Life Center of Galax began by providing help for an underserved population in Southwest Virginia, it has grown to serve all of Virginia, Western and Central North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and Southern West Virginia.
He said the Life Center has expanded its services over the years to match the needs of clients, with current programs including diagnosis services for those with mental illness, treatment for chronic pain and addiction, inpatient services for DUI and DWI clients, and meeting the growing problem of subscription drug abuse in the region. Carrico noted that in 2000, the Life Center of Galax opened the first opiate recovery outpatient treatment program in Southwest Virginia, which now serves 1,753 patients in Galax, Clinch Valley and Roanoke.
"In an effort to provide collaboration, education and coordination and services in the Commonwealth, the Life Center of Galax actively participates in coalitions, statewide substance abuse treatment organizations and human resource organizations. The Life Center of Galax is staffed by highly-trained and experienced counselors and therapists who are committed in helping their clients break free from substance abuse," Carrico said. "The Life Center of Galax has provided a vital service to those citizens of Southwest Virginia who are struggling with chemical dependency, providing professional resources and ongoing support since 1973."
Deborah May, the Life Center's director of marketing, said the Galax facility's staff is like family. That's because the 12 full-time staff members that comprise the leadership of the center have a combined total of 214 years of service to the facility. She said making the decision for keynote speaker was easy as she introduced Jerry Rhodes. The President of the Recovery Division of CRC Health Group, Rhodes has served as a member of the center's governing body for more than 17 years.
Rhodes said he's been associated with the Life Center since 1987. During that time he's seen the facility evolve into a tremendous asset for the state of Virginia and the City of Galax. Based on his best guess, he figured the Life Center of Galax has treated close to 35,000 people over the years.
"That is 35,000 lives that have been touched by this facility, 35,000 people that have received help, hope. That's a tremendous accomplishment," Rhodes said. "And I am not sure I am aware of a facility nationally that has achieved that mark in terms of helping people and staff dedicated to the vision and creating the hope that this facility has."
Rhodes said he felt one of the biggest reasons behind that has been the leadership and staff of the facility. Several notable people such as Theda Early, Dona Blair, Tina Bullins, Kathy Kirkland, Dorothy McGrady, Fran Broyles, Jim French and Ann Lee DeSanto all have more than 20 years of experience at the Life Center.
"To me it is an incredible accomplishment we have been able to retain people of such talent, such dedication and passion for so long. That really is the core of this program," Rhodes said. "When something has been in existence as long as it has, the number of lives it has helped, I think you can underscore the continued dedication CRC has. We have seen some ups and downs over the years but we've never lost our passion for treating and helping people, and again that is something you should all be very proud of."
May said the Life Center's leaders strive to set the highest quality standards and service to its patients, business associates and community. She said it also has a Values Committee comprised of staff that promote the facility's core values, which include respect, integrity, accountability, responsibility and excellence.
She praised the center's spiritual life volunteers who give of their time each week to bring songs and words of encouragement to the patients. May also thanked all the dedicated employees of the Life center's facility and clinics.
"They are devoted to turning the vision of being the best treatment center in the nation into a reality. We also want to thank the Waddell Family, who set the wheels in the motion by opening the doors of the facility in 1973 when their dream of having a substance abuse treatment center in Southwest Virginia was realized," May said. "Of course, we want to thank the business associates who supported the Life Center through their referral of patients, clients and employees. And last and definitely not least, our patients who throughout the years have entrusted us with their lives. From the depths of our hearts we say `Thank you.'"
PDF