Nexus Family Recovery Center prepares for Mothers' Brunch and Bazaar fundraiser

The nonprofit gets about one-third of its budget to help pay for family and recovery programs from philanthropic donations and fundraisers.

Walking through the admissions doors at Nexus Family Recovery Center in Dallas isn’t easy. But the receptionist greeting women helps make it feel more manageable — because she knows what they’re going through.

“Just a lot of brokenness. Just a lot of discouragement,” Angelia Wilson said. “Just being at Nexus, it helped me build myself up, helped me start loving myself, not being so angry. I became more happier.”

Wilson’s bright smile and welcoming presence offer little sign of her past struggles with substance use disorder. She completed her own recovery at Nexus and later returned to work as the admissions receptionist.

“Her story is unique because it’s hers,” Nexus Family Recovery Center CEO Heather Ormand said. “But her story is not unique to what our clients go through.”

Nexus Family Recovery Center is one of the few programs in Texas that allows women in recovery to bring their children. Last year, the nonprofit served more than 3,300 women and more than 200 children.

About one-third of Nexus’ funding for recovery and family programs comes from donations and fundraisers, including the upcoming Mothers’ Brunch and Bazaar — a lunch and shopping event held ahead of Mother’s Day.

“A lot of these women suffering also have children that are dependent on them,” Ormand said. “So places like Nexus are so necessary to make sure that mom can heal and take care of those kiddos.”

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 178,000 people in the United States die each year from excessive alcohol use.

“There is life outside of addiction,” Wilson said. “If it wasn’t for Nexus, I wouldn’t be here today, and I thank you!”

For those seeking help with substance use disorder, Nexus offers resources and support.