Latest news with #FriendsofSinners
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Owensboro women's recovery facility sees rare availability
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — A recovery program in Owensboro says they have more than half of their women's facility available right now. Staff at Friends of Sinners say the vacancies are something they've never seen say when it comes to substance abuse recovery waiting lists are the norm. Owensboro's Friends of Sinners women's recovery program staff say for the first time since they can remember their waiting list and two-thirds of their facility's client spots are empty and have remained that way since the beginning of June.'If one person goes or completes [the program], we're able to fill that bed immediately. So, the fact that we have seven open is a very rare occasion. After COVID, the overdose deaths [were] hitting over 100,000 in the United States. I believe that those numbers have dropped a little bit, but my goodness, we still see it everywhere,' says Jordan Wilson How would phasing out FEMA impact Kentucky? Statistics show a 30 percent decrease in Kentucky overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024, dropping to a little over 1,400 annually. Wilson says the recent decline highlights that investments in recovery efforts are working, but says the work is far from over. Whether it be opioids, methamphetamine or alcohol addiction, Wilson says its hard to find someone unaffected by the epidemic. Angel Harper, a current client, says she knows firsthand.'I lost everything. I lost my family. I almost lost my life. I got narcaned 16 times in 30 days…that's 16 times I died in 30 days. I just realized that, I had to try something different. It's scary when you're like that, and there is no way out,' says Angel Harper, a client at FOS. Harper traveled all the way from Georgia hoping for a second chance and is a little over a month into the year-long program. After a month of being enrolled, clients work to get a job, learn life skills like budgeting and pay a little over $100 each week for rent. Being admitted requires a 3-step process. Requirements include writing a letter explaining why you feel God wants you to come to the program, answering application questions and scheduling an interview with staff who were once in their shoes years prior. 'My son said to me, 'mom, give God a year, and see where you're at. You dedicated a lot of your life to doing drugs. Give him a year.' That's what I did, and that's the advice that I give to these girls,' says Elizabeth Cockrell, a staff member at the facility and FOS alumna. Cockrell is three and a half years into her sobriety journey and says she tries to serve as what she needed when she walked through the front door of the center. She says she pushes for the ladies to understand that God makes all the difference. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
FOS has beds available for women needing substance abuse help
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The Friends of Sinners (FOS) women's house has open beds available June 12 for women seeking treatment from substance abuse disorder. FOS says all are encouraged to call the FOS women's facility and submit an application found on this website. People are also asked to call 270-683-7007 for the FOS Women's Program. Animals removed from two Daviess County homes in 'severe' animal cruelty cases FOS says it is a 'Christ-centered' drug recovery program in Owensboro treating both men and women at separate locations since 2009. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Owensboro tattoo artist uses 'sacred marks' to impact customers
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — A tattoo artist in Owensboro is leaving behind more than just ink; He's leaving hope. After overcoming years of addiction, Terry Baughn Jr. is using his story, his skills and his faith to inspire first glance, Sacred Marks looks like any other tattoo shop. 'My kids…I just got a five bedroom house for them. Five years ago, at Friends of Sinners I was homeless…had a bag of clothes to my name,' says Baughn. Inside, every needle stroke writes a line in TJ Baughn's story of redemption. 'I used to be a very bad addict and an alcoholic. I kind of grew up around partying and everything. I ended up running into a tattoo machine one day at a flea market, and so I started tattooing on the streets,' says His story of recovery began down the road at Friends of Sinners, a Christ-centered substance abuse treatment program. 5 years after he left that flea market, he says he had a big encounter with God. 'The men that he put in my life, my pastor, I have probably 200 brothers in my phone I can call right now,' says Baughn. Baughn graduated out of the program in 2022 and is now a decade into his tattooing career. Sacred Marks's doors opened in October. 3 weeks ago, Skyler Chilton came on as an is also the daughter of Baughn's pastor and has watched him grow over the years. 'It's helped me understand that people make mistakes and to be more forgiving with myself, as everybody should be, I think,' says Chilton. The mentorship extends beyond staff. For Baughn, every tattoo session is a chance to connect and encourage. 'I'm not going to say I'm perfect or anything. They vent to me, and I'm able to help them out through things and struggles. They always leave a beautiful piece of work,' says Baughn. Baughn says he's grateful his Friends of Sinners community means he'll never be alone again, and that each day is a chance to become stronger, wiser and take care of his family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wilson named FOS executive director
Friends of Sinners (FOS), the Christ-centered substance abuse recovery program located in Owensboro, has announced that Jordan Wilson will take over as the organization's executive director. Wilson previously served as the nonprofit's development director for six years. 'I am honored and humbled to take on this new role with Friends of Sinners,' Wilson said. 'The work we do here is more than just a program — it's a ministry, and it's my heart's desire to continue offering a path to recovery, hope and a restored life through the power of Christ. I've witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation that happens when individuals come to know Jesus and experience His healing. The staff we have here at Friends of Sinners is absolutely incredible and I look forward to leading this amazing team as we continue to serve those in need. I couldn't do this without my team behind me.' Wilson is no stranger to the world of substance abuse because he's been personally engaged in a sobriety journey for nine years, and he has also volunteered with other organizations in the community in addition to FOS that focus on addiction, recovery and finding strength through Christ. 'Jordan has been actively involved in various recovery communities, mentoring others and sharing his testimony as a way of offering hope to those who feel lost in the darkness of addiction,' said the FOS Board of Directors in a Monday press release. Board of directors members added, 'Jordan is a living testament to the power of faith, recovery and redemption. His journey has uniquely equipped him to lead Friends of Sinners into its next chapter, continuing the mission of providing hope, support and lasting change for individuals battling addiction. The board is confident in Jordan's experience in development and his heart for the mission of Friends of Sinners to work with and lead this exceptional group.' During his time spent as the organization's development director, Wilson has helped to expand FOS's outreach and fundraising efforts. In addition to keeping the FOS program running smoothly, looking forward, Wilson said that he would like to further expand the impact of FOS by fostering community relationships and 'ensuring that every person who comes to the ministry receives the love and support that they need to rebuild their lives.' He's also excited to finally move into the program's new facility. 'We're hoping to get into the new facility at some point in 2025,' Wilson said. 'All of that depends on our Capital Campaign and support from the community.' Wilson said that the organization has also recently launched its annual Gideons 300 giving campaign, which will run until mid-April. He hopes to exceed last year's giving campaign total of $75,000. 'Community support has just been amazing for Friends of Sinners since we're completely funded by donations. We rely on fundraisers in order to obtain our operating expenses,' he said. Wilson also expressed a 'thank you' to his staff for 'working hard alongside him to see the organization's vision through.' 'I couldn't do this without all of my staff members. We make a great team,' he said. 'It's really a dream come true to be leading Friends of Sinners and I am so excited for the future.' Wilson also encouraged individuals in the community who are interested in volunteering or donating to the organization to reach out to him at 270-689-9174. 'I can answer any questions that people might have about Friends of Sinners and I could even provide tours of the new facility if needed,' he said. FOS has been providing faith-focused addiction recovery services to the Owensboro community for more than 15 years. The organization is committed to offering guidance to community members facing a recovery journey through faith, education and community by offering programs that focus on healing the mind, body and spirit. More information about FOS, along with ways to donate or get involved with the nonprofit organization, can be found online at
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Friends of Sinners sells Clay Street properties
Friends of Sinners, a Christian-based substance abuse treatment program, has sold its former properties on Clay Street. Jordan Wilson, Friends of Sinners' director of development, said the organization has finalized the sale of the properties at 320, 322 and 324 Clay Streets, where Friends of Sinners first began operations on Clay Street in 2009. The deeds were filed with the Daviess County Clerk's Office Wednesday. The deeds say NBG Investments LLC purchased the three properties for $219,990. Owensboro Christian Church owned 320 Clay St., which was the Friends of Sinners main office, while FOS owned 322 and 324 Clay St. Wilson said he could not discuss the details of the sale, such as the purchase price or the buyers. Wilson said the Clay Street homes were an important piece of the organization's history. 'They have been a part of our ministry for 15 years,' Wilson said Thursday. 'There are so many people who have had their lives changed' by the organization's men's program at the homes, Wilson said. 'It was home,' Wilson said. Friends of Sinners staff is currently operating out of Rooted Recovery on East Ninth Street, while the organization continues work renovating the former Arc of Owensboro property on Jackson Street. Selling the Clay Street properties was 'a necessary step moving forward,' Wilson said. 'We are doing everything we can to complete the project, so selling the property was essential,' Wilson said. The contractor chosen to renovate the Jackson Street property 'are over there every day, five days a week,' Wilson said. The hope is the building will be ready for occupation by the men's treatment program this year. In April, Friends of Sinners received a $1 million appropriation from the the U.S. Senate. 'We are halfway through those funds,' Wilson said. The facility needed work officials hadn't anticipated, such as replacing the heating and air conditioning system. The organization is conducting a capital campaign to raise additional funds to finish the project. Wilson said the overall cost of the project is anticipated to be $2.4 million. 'Our construction advocates are not surprised or alarmed, so that gives me piece of mind' about the estimate, Wilson said. Friends of Sinners officials raised $100,000 in one meeting last year at the new facility, Wilson said, and that the organization is meeting with potential donors. Wilson said Friends of Sinners is about to launch its Gideon's 300 Less Is More Project, which they work to find 300 new donors, who contribute any amount. 'We are 100% community funded,' Wilson said. Friends of Sinners has served approximately 1,200 clients over its history, Wilson said. 'We really try to stay close with our alumni, and even those who don't make it through the program,' Wilson said. 'We never want to give up on anybody.' Anyone interested in contributing or being part of the Gideon's 300 campaign can call Wilson at 270-689-9174. 'Some of our greatest supporters are our alumni,' Wilson said. 'They go on to do exceptional things, and they want to give back.'
