Old news. Bad news. Fake news. Sometimes you want to shut down and get no news at all! I aim to change that by focusing on good people doing good works. I visit with artists, educators, civic & spiritual leaders, musicians, business owners, students, volunteers, and everyday citizens who are using their creativity, resources, and talents to bring hope, happiness, and goodness to their corner of the world.
Episodes
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Monday Sep 23, 2024
Ep. 130 - The Reason Is Love - Ft. Tonya Doucette of Project Trey–Recovery Café in Lake Charles, Louisiana - Find the Good News with Oran Parker
I have always been in awe of those with the gift of human empathy, who seem to sense when someone else is hurting or in need. I've been blessed many times to be the giver of aid when I sensed the suffering of others, often hiding my pains and sufferings from the world at large, preferring to try to unravel those entanglements on my own. I have realized that events and circumstances will take you by surprise, and no amount of preparation and redundancies will suffice if you try to navigate the troubles alone.
An empathetic friend and client recently picked up on a personal pain weighing heavily on my heart and mind. In that moment of insight and kindness, she used her gift to point me toward a local who has traveled the roads I now found myself on, experiencing the most significant grief a parent could know, transmuting that sorrow into the right action and resources for others, like me and mine, who now find ourselves somewhat wandering along the myriads paths of addiction and substance abuse.
In this episode of Find the Good News, I visited with Tonya Doucette, Founder of Project Trey–Recovery Café in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she works to honor and remember her son Trey by providing a safe space for those in addiction recovery to gather, learn, grow, and be loved as they begin the hard work of one-day-at-a-time living.
This encounter with Tonya could not have come at a more critical time when being present and supportive of a loved one requires wrangling fears, anxieties, legalities, and social stigma. Sitting with Tonya at Project Trey–Recovery Café offered comfort and motivation to travel the road ahead in strength because I could see clearly that she had traveled this road before us, for us.
I often ask my guests, "Why do something instead of nothing?" I know why Tonya does what she does and has devoted her mind, time, and heart to helping those in recovery find their way forward—she does it because of love.
Some time has passed since Tonya and I had this conversation, and in that time, I have seen the results of her love firsthand as she helps our family journey through the concentric rings surrounding an addiction event. I am on the frontline of a healing event, and as I watch the wounds mend and scar over, I feel gratitude for Tonya and her son Trey.
So, I invite you to sit with Tonya Doucette and me at Project Trey–Recovery Café in Lake Charles, Louisiana. If you're in recovery, I encourage you to continue to find your reason one day at a time. If it gets hard—when it gets hard—there's a space full of loving people waiting for you at Project Trey.
Now, let's queue the music and press play on a little good news.
Learn more about Project Trey–Recovery Café » www.ProjectTreyRecoveryCafe.org
Follow Project Trey on Social Media » https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095377565791
Learn more about Parker Brand Creative Services » www.ParkerBrandUp.com
Listen to more Find the Good News episodes » www.FindtheGood.News
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Comments (1)
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This episode was fabulous! What an amazing organization!! Bravo Tonya for implementing this and turning tragedy into something positive to help others! I’m sure Trey is so proud of you! As someone who got sober at 19 and am 52 now, I know intimately how difficult it is to be sober in SWLA. It took 20 years for FAMILY members to STOP asking me if I wanted a drink at family gatherings!!! My life is a bit crazy right now (but I’m taking some of my time back just in the last month) and it’s getting to my busiest time of year (retail), but this sounds like the perfect fit for me to volunteer at. I WILL get with Tonya in the new year to do some kind of art class at the cafe!! And thanks so much Oran for this podcast. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have heard of it!
Monday Oct 14, 2024
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