Soul Garden Recovery Center – Wendy Lambert

With every interview I do, I find a piece of myself within the interviewee. This particular interview hit me in a very personal space.  Addiction is a very serious problem that is a growing epidemic in Vermilion County. As much as I like to bring the light-hearted, positive stuff to my blog – this is an issue that I feel needs to be addressed.

Wendy Lambert has been sober since August 14, 1991. While she describes her life as “being lost” before that date, she has since “came home” and has been a voice speaking out for the addicts of our county. For a living, Wendy drives a truck and also owns her own photography business – Lambert’s Photography and Video. However, in the last year she has found her passion in helping other addicts save their lives. With all of the overdoses and deaths our community has seen over the last year, Wendy felt that she “had to do something”. That is where the Soul Garden Recovery Center began.

“Soul Garden Recovery Center, a non-profit organization, has the mission of helping substance abusers find a new way of life. We, the founders, believe that through our own personal experiences we may possess a unique insight on how to achieve and maintain a practical way to live. We too have lived through the horrors of active addiction, yet are now free and have developed a passion to help others to achieve the same freedom. Our prayer is that those who enter our doors might take full advantage of what we offer so that they might, in turn, help others.”

While they are trying to lock down a building, Wendy and her team are committed to helping addicts and then some. She wants to create a new “playground” for those who are in recovery. Her dream is to take all walks of life – addicts, Veterans, over-eaters, gamblers, alcoholics – and put them “all in one house.” “Let’s pick up the slack from other organizations and make a difference. Change starts with all of us.” She wants to gather these people together, clean them up, help them find new things to do, get healthy, and be a voice in helping them find their calling.

This is a woman who has a passion for helping others. Talking to her over coffee changed a lot of my perspective on the issue and brought up some things from my past that I would like to offer to anyone who is struggling. I’ve been there. I’ve seen it. People who I have loved have lost their battles right in front of me. Addiction knows no discrepancy – no discrimination. I know the struggle of admitting you have a problem. My plea to you is that you say it. Say it out loud. Reach out. You are worth it. There are people like Wendy who are willing to help you. She will pick you up and take you to a meeting – she will feed you, clean you up, and do everything in her power to make a difference in your life. She, along with so many others, are ready to fight for you. “I’m not going to lay down and take it. This is our city. I love it. Let’s make a difference.”

Upcoming event alert! Please attend and help support this amazing cause:

If you are interested in joining the fight and volunteering – contact the Soul Garden Recovery Center here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction – please call Wendy at (217) 597-9653.

Peace & Love,

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