Wabash Valley Recovery Center

04/17/2026

The First Annual Vigo County Veterans Treatment Court Taco Eating Contest was a success! Zac, the Executive Director at Hickory, won after eating 24 crunchy tacos in under 15 minutes!

04/17/2026

It’s Ashlee’s last Festive Friday, and since her favorite color is pink, we’re rocking it! Let’s wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors—she will be greatly missed at WVRC. 🫶🏻🩷

04/16/2026

Meet Doug, one of our featured models in the upcoming Recovery Is Beautiful Gala ✨
Doug is 58 years old, a proud father of four grown children, and the very loved “Papaw” to six beautiful grandchildren—with one more on the way. His family is his heart, and today, he shows up for them in a way that reflects the life he’s worked hard to rebuild.

Doug spent many years in active addiction—years that were devastating not only to him, but to the people who love him most. Addiction took its toll, creating distance, pain, and loss along the way. But Doug’s story doesn’t end there. Today, he is in recovery, doing the work, showing up, and proving that healing and restoration are possible.

Doug is a dedicated member of a 12-step recovery program and has made a conscious decision to turn his experience into purpose. He volunteers with Ryves Optimist and Catholic Charities, giving his time and energy to support others, and has committed his life to service. Doug is deeply passionate about recovery and walks alongside others on their journey, offering hope, encouragement, and a reminder that no one has to do this alone.
What makes Doug stand out isn’t just his recovery—it’s how he carries it. He leads by example, showing up with humility, consistency, and compassion. Doug is a truly kind man who lights up any room with his big smile and genuine heart—you can feel his presence before he even says a word.
With a quiet confidence and a story worth telling, Doug will take the runway not just as a model—but as a testament to resilience, transformation, and the beauty of second chances.
Doug is honored to be part of this year’s Recovery Is Beautiful Gala, representing the strength it takes to rebuild, the courage it takes to grow, and the hope that recovery brings.

Because recovery isn’t just about where you’ve been—it’s about who you choose to become.
Recovery is real. Recovery is powerful. And recovery is beautiful. 💙

Doug got the honor of being sponsored by The Classic Man for this year's event. The Classic Man will get you right for any formal event! You can check out their page tagged above or stop in at Meadows Shopping Center in Terre Haute. 🤩

Tickets and sponsorship information for the 6th Annual Recovery is Beautiful Gala can be found on our website at https://www.wabashvalleyrecovery.org/recovery-is-beautiful-gala

04/15/2026

Meet our next model in the 6th Annual Recovery is Beautiful Gala, Bear Buchanan. 💜

A woman in long-term recovery, Bear gives credit for her progress towards serenity to the 12-steps, the dedication and devotion of those who are early in their recovery journeys, and most of all to her son, who has shown her what it means to love and be loved. 🥹

While many see her as a pillar of support and a saving grace during their darkest hours, Bear recognizes a truth less apparent. For Bear, the ones she works to serve are her heroes. Without them, and without the wisdom of the 12-steps, she'd have no light to guide the next wandering soul. 💫

Bear's runway outfit is being generously provided by Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Inc. & Excel Center of West Central Indiana. Goodwill is a staple in our community, providing employment opportunities and clothing vouchers to individuals in need.
And if you're unfamiliar with the Excel Center, please go check them out!!! They are a tuition-free adult charter high school that awards certifications and high school diplomas, not GEDs, to adult learners in West Central Indiana. They even have a daycare if you're a student. You can check out their website at https://www.excelcenterwci.org/ 🤩

You can purchase tickets for the 6th Annual Recovery is Beautiful Gala at https://www.wabashvalleyrecovery.org/recovery-is-beautiful-gala ✨

04/14/2026

April 29th, from 11:30-1:30 ‼️‼️

Our team will be at this pop-up clinic to hand out naloxone and hygiene supplies.
You can also get a vision screening, dental exam, and HIV/Hep C tested, ALL FOR FREE. Stop by and see us and all the other amazing providers who will be there that day. 🖤

04/14/2026

Introducing our next model for the 6th Annual Recovery Is Beautiful Gala- Mike Hambright 🤩

Mike is a recovered alcoholic. He says recovered because he no longer has a desire to drink or use drugs anymore. He no longer suffers from a hopeless state of mind and body. Mike is 38 years old, and an awesome father to his 4 kids- 3 girls and 1 boy, ages 16, 15, 12, and 3 months. 💜

After 3 tours in prison, Mike decided he was tired of letting his family down. He was tired of living a life of insanity and decided in prison that he was ready to do something about it! 💪

He got out of prison 6 years ago and went to Truman House, obtained a sponsor and got busy taking his life back. Today Mike is a business owner and has been sober over 3 years. He sponsors men in a 12-step program and enjoys fishing in his spare time. 🌿

Mike's tux is being provided by Men's Wearhouse in Terre Haute. They are also providing a discount for anyone renting their suit/tux from them for this event (flyer for discount will be posted in the comments). Men's Wearhouse has been a supporter for years now and we cannot thank them enough for the love they've shown us. 🥰👔

Ticket and sponsorship information can be found on our website at https://www.wabashvalleyrecovery.org/recovery-is-beautiful-gala

04/13/2026

Our next model in the 6th Annual Recovery Is Beautiful Gala is Miss Gwen Robins. 💜

Gwen is a proud woman in recovery, celebrating 8 years of sobriety after 36 years of addiction- a true testament to faith, resilience, and transformation. 💪
Gwen is the grandmother of 8 beautiful grandchildren who inspire her every single day. As the Director of Administrative Care at Next Step Foundation, she is passionate about helping others on their journey to healing. ✨
Known as the "Hugger-in-Chief," Gwen leads with love, compassion, and purpose. She is a living testimony of the Lord and the power of redemption. And anyone who has ever met Gwen knows that she is a bright light. 💜We are so excited to have her in the lineup.

Gwen's runway outfit is being provided by Main Street Boutique & Gifts in Linton, Indiana. You can check out all their cute attire and gifts in person or on Facebook. 👛
We are so thankful for their generosity and partnership for this year's event. 🥰

04/10/2026

Every Friday here at WVRC, we pick a theme to wear for what we call Festive Fridays.
And April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. 💙

So this week, our newest member of the Festive Friday squad- Alicia Marks, chose all things teal in honor of sexual assault victims and survivors. 💠👗

Alicia is the Sexual Assault Director at CODA Wabash Valley, where they work relentlessly to support, advocate, and educate.
If you're in need of support or guidance, you can call them at (800) 566-2632.
They also have a ton of cool events coming up- check out their page to see what theyre planning! 🥳

And of course- shout out to our friends at Pathways Drop-in Day Center for participating w us. 💙

04/10/2026

Meet Chuck Herr, our next model in the 6th Annual Recovery Is Beautiful Gala. 💫
Chuck is 43 years old, a proud father of five and grandfather of one, and a living example of what long-term recovery can look like. After spending 24 years in addiction, Chuck has now been in recovery for 3.5 years—and today, he’s using his experience to help others find hope and healing. 💜

For the past three years, Chuck has been a dedicated team member at Next Step Foundation in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he serves as a group facilitator, peer coach, and Alumni Coordinator. He also leads a dual diagnosis meeting and facilitates an Alternatives 2 Su***de group, creating safe spaces for individuals to be seen, heard, and supported.

Chuck is passionate about giving back and walking alongside others on their recovery journey. He truly loves what he does, and it shows in the impact he makes every day.
Chuck is honored to be a model for this year’s Recovery is Beautiful Gala, representing the strength, resilience, and transformation that recovery makes possible.
Recovery is real. Recovery is powerful. And recovery is beautiful. 💪💪

Chuck's runway tux has been generously donated by The Classic Man 👔Located in Meadows Shopping Center in Terre Haute, The Classic Man specializes in suits, shoes, and tailoring services- with a commitment to quality and attention to detail. We are so grateful for their continued support of this event every year. ☺️

04/10/2026

Our 6th Annual Recovery Is Beautiful Gala is coming up, and this is absolutely one if our favorite events to plan. This event is truly a testament to hope, overcoming impossible circumstances, and shattering the "once an addict, always an addict" nonsense that somehow still exist. If you have everywhere attended, you understand the truly powerful and beautiful message this event inspires.

No one needs to feel this message more than someone thinking about making changes or early in the recovery process. However, the facts are, when people are in the midst of making life altering changes, spending a hundred bucks on a ticket to a Gala typically isn't attainable, reasonable, or wise in many cases.

Which always creates a dilemma. How do we stay true to our mission of advocating and reducing barriers for the people we serve while also raising the critical funds necessary to actually do what we do? In the past, we've had these options:

❌️Create sponsorships and ticket prices that will actually support our mission (and providing FREE services across 11 counties to thousands of people is NOT cheap)- Which excludes many people who NEED to hear the message due to finances?

❌️Make ticket prices affordable for everyone and take away our ability to offer FREE services to so many people and fulfill our mission?

So, we created a third option....

✅️ Update all sponsorship package for the Recovery is Beautiful Gala to include a set number of additional tickets, at no additional cost, to be donated to people engaged in recovery services who would not be able to attend due to financial barriers.

Now, when you or your business buys a sponsorship package, not only are you supporting recovery services in our community, but you are also creating opportunity for someone from our local community to attend, and to experience the real life impact your generosity has for those who might not be able to attend otherwise.

*More details about this and to purchase tickets or sponsorship packages:
https://www.wabashvalleyrecovery.org/recovery-is-beautiful-gala

04/10/2026

Hamilton Center, Inc. is hiring peers!

We’re hiring Peer Support Specialists for our Crisis Diversion Center.

Use your lived experience to make a meaningful difference. In this role, you’ll walk alongside individuals in crisis, offering understanding, connection, and hope when it’s needed most.

Join a team that values compassion, recovery, and the power of peer support. If you’re ready to support others on their journey and be part of something impactful, we encourage you to apply.

Learn more and apply today: www.hamiltoncenter.org/employment

Be the reason someone feels seen, heard, and supported.