Recovery Podcast

83 - Jerrica Lacy

Jerrica Lacy’s story is one of heartbreak, healing, and divine intervention. Growing up surrounded by addiction, Jerrica knew drugs and alcohol long before she ever knew peace. Both of her parents battled addiction, and tragedy struck when her father and brother lost their lives to overdoses. Her mother is now in recovery - a living reminder that redemption is possible. Though Jerrica grew up in church, she didn’t know God personally. That changed during one of the darkest moments of her life. Lying in an ICU bed, detoxing from alcohol, she prayed for a sign - and her nurse walked in and said, “God wants you to know that He loves you.” That simple message became the turning point she needed. Years of pain and an abusive relationship had pushed her deep into addiction - a cycle she thought she could never escape. But when she came to VOA Northern Rockies’ Center of Hope in Riverton, everything began to change. Jerrica quickly became a house leader and was later accepted into the organization’s recovery home. Once bitter toward religion, Jerrica found her faith again and rededicated her life to Jesus. Today, she’s pursuing her license as an addiction practitioner - using her story to bring hope to others walking the same road she once did.

82 - Brooke Dawe

Brooke’s story is one of strength, faith, and redemption. Born in Buffalo, Wyoming, to an alcoholic mother and a hardworking but absent father, Brooke’s early years were marked by chaos and pain. Her mother’s abuse led to Brooke being placed on psychiatric medications at a young age. When her parents divorced - her father choosing faith and her mother rejecting it - Brooke was left in her mother’s custody, and the void within her began to grow. Searching for love and belonging, Brooke dropped out of high school and became a mother at just 16. By 22, she faced her first felony charge and a life that seemed destined for heartbreak. But in 2001, Brooke’s path changed - she found salvation and began to rebuild. Her moment of clarity came one day in the back of a police car, when she realized she no longer had to hide who she truly was. From that moment forward, Brooke chose honesty, healing, and faith over fear. Today, Brooke serves alongside her husband, TJ, at VOA Northern Rockies - using her journey to inspire others to believe that no matter how far you’ve fallen, redemption is always within reach.

81- TJ Dawe

TJ’s story is one of pain, perseverance, and redemption. His journey into addiction began at just 16 years old. With a devout Christian mother and an alcoholic father, TJ struggled to find his place and identity. Years of instability followed - moving from state to state, battling inner conflict, and facing multiple arrests, suicide attempts, and felony charges. Everything changed after an 18-hour standoff with a federal task force in Colorado - a moment that convinced TJ his life was over. But in jail, a Peer Specialist from VOA Northern Rockies reached out, offering hope and a second chance. After seven months of persistence, TJ entered the program that would transform his life. Through faith, community, and the Native American prayer practice of sweat lodge, he rediscovered God - and himself. Today, TJ is married, thriving in recovery, and working full-time with VOA Northern Rockies, helping others find the same hope that once found him.

80 - Jon Fenderson

Meet Jon Fenderson, our Pastoral Care Coordinator at Booth Hall in Gillette, Wyoming—the only faith-based adult re-entry center in the state. Jon grew up in a Christian home and has a deep heart for discipleship. After serving in a recovery ministry for adolescent boys in Arizona, Jon earned his degree in ministry while working maintenance at a hospital. A family dinner conversation led him to VOA Northern Rockies, and for the past 2½ years, he’s been walking alongside people rebuilding their lives after prison, jail, or parole violations. At Booth Hall, recovery is more than breaking free from drugs or alcohol—it’s about building a solid foundation or restoring what was lost. Jon personally meets every new resident, reminding them they are not alone. In this episode, Jon shares powerful, real-life stories of people who’ve overcome addiction with faith as their anchor.  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

79 - Joy Copeland

Joy Copeland was born in Orange County, California, and raised in Texas as the youngest of four daughters. Often feeling out of place, she leaned into humor to stand out and embraced the identity of the “good kid,” hoping it would earn her belonging. Her faith began early—baptized at six and raised around Christianity—but over time, that faith became transactional: “If I’m good, God will give me what I want.” Music became her safe haven. She excelled at the oboe and earned a college scholarship, but once in college, Joy's life began to unravel. She turned to drinking, drugs, and relationships to fill a growing void, all while her mental health declined. After a terrifying rollover accident and hearing the haunting words, “It would’ve been better if you were dead,” Joy realized how far she’d strayed from her path. Her turning point came from an unexpected invitation to a Bible study. A church sign that read “Come as you are” caught her eye—and her heart. Through that church, Celebrate Recovery, and a loving community, she slowly rebuilt her relationship with God and found freedom from shame. The women in recovery reminded her: “That’s not who you are—that’s what you did.” Now serving as the Pastoral Care Coordinator at VOA Northern Rockies, Joy walks alongside others on their recovery journeys. From music scholarships to worship on the chapel keyboard, Joy's story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes God doesn’t kill your dreams—He just rewrites them into something better.