You could have heard a pin drop as bestselling novelist and essayist Anne Lamott shared her experiences with the captivated crowd at the Hyatt Regency Dallas during the recent Nexus Recovery Center spring luncheon.
Lamott — who is the author of seven novels, several bestselling nonfiction books, and numerous collections of autobiographical essays — led a forthright conversation about her own experiences with addiction and recovery, serving as inspiration for the group.
But before the illuminating talk, luncheon chair Chris Ozley and Nexus executive director Rebecca Crowell welcomed the crowd with a brief history of the Women's Auxiliary, which is celebrating its 23rd year and has raised over $3.5 million to date.
Janina Solomon, Women's Auxiliary of Nexus president, then took the podium and declared, "I am living proof that recovery works," stating that she has been sober for 13 years. Former luncheon chair Lindsay Billingsly joined to run the live auction and raffle before a former Nexus client named Lisa gave an earnest and profound testimony of how crucial the nonprofit is to the women of Dallas.
The comprehensive Nexus program includes prevention and intervention, detoxification, residential recovery treatment, early childhood and high school education onsite, after-school and summer programs for school-aged children, life and parenting skills training, outpatient care, and alumni programs.
Honorary chairs Carolyn and Rick Waghorne announced that the day's luncheon also featured a wonderful milestone: the first teen client in recovery at Nexus had graduated from high school.
In 2018, Nexus Recovery Center served 1,969 women and teens and 341 children, including 64 Nexus-born babies. Membership in the Women's Auxiliary is open to the public, and members work to stimulate public awareness and help in the financial support of Nexus' services and projects.
Angie Waghorne, Rush Waghorne
The luncheon took place in the lobby of the Meyerson.Photo courtesy of SAWA