LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A nonprofit that helps with addiction recovery is one step closer to making some home runs.
The Louisville campus of Isaiah Houst broke ground on a new softball field with help from Southeast Christian Church Southwest Campus.
While the pile of dirt remains in the dugout for now, in a month or so it will look different, explains Operations Supervisor Damian Courtien of Isaiah House Olivia Center.
“So we’re going to finish the infield. We have to dig a little deeper, add more dirt. We have all the bases, we have the bats. We’ve all received things not just from Isaiah House, but from people donating things,” Courtien said.
For Courtien, this project has a personal purpose.
“I remember when I was first in recovery, I got out and actually played softball and it was one of the best times in my life and I didn’t think that you could have fun sober. But I learned very quickly that in recovery, getting out here and doing these things, it was it was game-changing for me to learn,” Courtien said.
He shared some of his journey to become sober.
“So I was an opiate user. Had been for over 20 years. Things have changed a lot recently with fentanyl and those things and I’ve been sober over four years now,” Courtien said.
Before he came for treatment, he said he overdosed three or four times and now is turning his life around from the bottom.
“For those of us that have this wonderful chance to get sober and to be in recovery, you got to realize that I don’t want to live like that anymore. You know, there’s a better life out there,” Courtien said.
The better life is how Southeast Christian Church Southwest Campus is helping out.
“And so we are really excited about this ministry and what they’re going to provide for many folks in this area to come out on the other side of recovery, of addiction,” said Community Pastor Aaron Troutman.
Coming out of the addiction, with a home run and pitching in for some fun.
“Because everybody wants to hit a home run, right? So, you know, the back fence is out there, though. Yeah, we could definitely I could definitely clear those,” Courtien said.
The Louisville campus of Isaiah House opened last August. Courtien said by the end of July they hope to complete the softball field.