The Next Door Recovery’s Annual Fall Luncheon Celebrates the Power of Community

While the mission of The Next Door Recovery is serious, its board of directors and team are anything but somber. Never was this more evident than at the organization’s 22nd Annual Fall Luncheon, Light for a Lifetime, held at St. George’s Episcopal Church.

The mix-and-mingle before the program made it clear this extremely popular event was “oversold.” Over 400 attendees, chicly clad, were bubbling with excitement as co-chairs Shea Ghertner and Dione DeWitte welcomed them in from the stifling heat outside.

Everyone enjoyed the Kristen Winston Catering lunch of lemon-herb chicken, orzo with roasted vegetables, caprese salad, and strawberry-pecan mixed greens — finished with almond petits fours from the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition’s Sweet Daisy Petit Four Shoppe.

Executive director Rachel Morris asked clinical executive director Amanda Dunlap to join her in recognizing longtime volunteer and board chair Anna Thornton as she received the third annual Jesus Calling Award. Anna’s remarks centered on her vision of one day seeing TNDR become completely debt-free — and on May 15 of this year, the tireless organization paid off its mortgage and declared itself just that. The goal Anna once thought was possible is now a reality.

After sharing several videos of women who sought treatment for substance use disorder, keynote speaker Rebekah Lyons, best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for mental health and faith, took the stage. Her powerfully delivered message was simple, impactful and full of hope and humor. 

Recounting her life story as a mom of two kids with special needs, who spent years battling mental adversity herself, Rebekah shared a few lessons she’s learned. That the peace of God will give you the resilience to handle the repeating cycle of traumatizing stress. That we’re responsible for our recovery and for retraining our brain, but if you do the work, you will overcome. 

Often referred to as an “old soul with a contemporary, honest voice,” Rebekah joyfully shared the exact same message TNDR has helped more than 17,000 women seeking treatment learn since 2004. 

Grammy-nominated Point of Grace, with its soaring harmonies and passionate lyrics, provided the perfect ending to a remarkable and successful day. Lesson learned: Recovery is possible when a committed community shows up — and these dedicated donors showed up in droves.