Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie West, Shala Kilgore, Anne Beckmann, and Darlene Carlson.
Hi Angie,Shala,Anne, and Darlene, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story began in 2006 right here in Llano, Texas, with a heart-wrenching plea. A local woman, whose family was caught in the destructive cycle of drug abuse, sent a desperate “plea for help” in a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. That appeal inspired a group of dedicated local residents to come together. We organized, formed a plan, and established the Llano Alliance for Drug Intervention (LADI) as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Our original goal was ambitious: to have an in-house treatment program and facility in Llano. Today, we have refined that vision and are actively working to establish a faith-based sober/recovery home. In the meantime, we provide awareness to our local schools, we sponsor Red Ribbon Week, and support other local recovery programs. We are supported by local churches, individuals, businesses, the City of Llano, and Llano County, and we continue to fulfill part of our mission by providing drug abuse education and prevention materials to local schools.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Establishing a facility and program of this nature is never a smooth road. The primary struggles have centered on the significant effort required to secure consistent funding and resources to bring our vision to life. An original goal was to have a full treatment program, but we’ve had to work diligently to scale our efforts to the current project: establishing a recovery/sober living home.
This requires not only funding but also the necessary community buy-in and prayer support to ensure its success and long-term sustainability. We rely entirely on the generosity of our community to make this life-changing home a reality at no cost to those who will enter this program. Unfortunately, we are just not there yet. The vision is there, and it is very much needed in this area. It takes a village to put together something like this.
So, as far as the home goes, we are put on hold with the lack of resources. We need more people to join LADI and bring in the ideas to make all this a reality. While this specific project has been put on hold, we as a group still support our community and do our best to bring awareness about addiction in our area. We also provide drug test kits to the local pharmacies for our Love Your Child project. Each member has a story to tell that involves themselves or someone close to them who has dealt with drug abuse, addiction, and recovery.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
LADI is a humanitarian and faith-based organization specializing in drug intervention and recovery support. Our primary work is currently focused on developing and implementing a sober living program/recovery home. This program will be heavily focused on Biblical principles and a 12-step program with Christian guidelines to build a strong foundation for seeking recovery.
What We are Known For: We are known for being the community response to the drug crisis in Llano—a dedicated, locally-funded effort to provide a safe haven and a structured path back to a productive life. As well as sponsoring and supporting Red Ribbon Week at our local schools, providing drug test kits to the pharmacies, and volunteering where we can.
What We Are Most Proud Of: We are most proud of the community spirit that formed LADI. The fact that local churches, individuals, and government bodies all contribute is a testament to the belief in second chances and the power of faith-based recovery. We are proud of the persistence it takes to bring this home to fruition. It is all in God’s timing.
What Sets Us Apart: What sets LADI apart is the integration of deep Christian faith with the 12-step recovery model, and our commitment to serving the recovery community entirely at no cost to them. Furthermore, our program will emphasize not just sobriety, but also life skills training (decision-making, money management) and mandatory requirements for steady employment and community service. This holistic, faith-centered approach is designed to ensure they become productive participants in the community.
What does success mean to you?
We define success in multiple layers:
Organizational Success: Securing the funding and resources necessary to successfully open and sustain the LADI Home. In the meantime supporting our local communities anyway we can.
Program Success: Having up to seven men or women at a time dedicated to turning their lives around, completing our program, and returning to their families and personal lives as productive, sober, and financially responsible individuals.
Spiritual Success: Witnessing these men and/or women build their lives on a strong, faith-based foundation that sustains their long-term recovery and hope for the future, fulfilling the promise of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”
Contact Info:
- Website: llanoladi.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladi.llano
- Other: ladiladi@gmail.com
