LEXINGTON, Ky. - A former Miss USA with Kentucky roots is back in the bluegrass state today, sharing her personal story of addiction and recovery.

Tara Conner is the keynote speaker at the Hope Center of Lexington's "Night of Hope" benefit fundraiser.

Conner is from russell springs and was crowned Miss USA in 2006, but that same year she entered a rehab treatment facility for alcohol and drug addiction.

Fast-forward to present day, Conner is going almost 13 years of sobriety. Conner says she spends most of her days raising awareness that while addiction is a disease, many people can go on to lead a healthy, productive life, in recovery.

Conner also says she considers sharing her story with others as a form of therapy.

The Hope Center in Lexington provides emergency shelter, food, and clothing 365 days a year to help the homeless and those with addiction and mental health issues, get off the street and stay off the street. To meet those needs, the Hope Center has programs that deal with recovery from addiction (for men and women), mental health issues, employment assistance, transitional housing, social services, a free health clinic, permanent housing and the Hope Mobile (mobile outreach). The Hope Center provides more than 38,000 meals, 24,000 nights of lodging, 800 healthcare services, and 4,000 articles of clothing each month. See www.hopectr.org for more information.