From Resident to Director: Welcoming Dane to Lead the Next Chapter of the Beacon House
Sometimes life comes full circle in ways you never could have planned. Six years ago, Dane wasn't interviewing for a leadership position. He was simply hoping for a second chance. After completing treatment in Mississippi, he and his roommate—a Louisville native—began talking about what life after treatment could look like and what they needed to make sobriety really work for them. The more his roommate described Louisville, the more Dane believed it might be the fresh start he desperately needed. They decided to look for a residential program in the area. Then, together, they applied to the Beacon House. Both were accepted. Along with one other person from their treatment facility, they rented a car and drove from Mississippi to Louisville, arriving in May of 2020. That decision changed everything. Today, we're honored to announce that Dane has returned to the very place that helped him rebuild his life, this time as our official Executive Director of the Beacon House. A Mission Motivated by Personal History Dane spent approximately 15 years in active addiction. It began with frequent marijuana and alcohol use when he started college at the University [...]
Beacon House Partners with PAR for Free Narcan Distribution
Beacon House, in conjunction with People Advocating Recovery (PAR), announced today the immediate availability of free NARCAN to the public. This intensive initiative is a direct response to the ongoing invasion of high-potency opiates in Louisville and Jefferson County, where synthetic drugs like Fentanyl and the even more powerful Carfentanil continue to claim lives at an alarming rate. To ensure that this lifesaving tool is accessible to everyone during this critical period, distribution will occur at the Beacon House facility with extended hours, seven days a week. Distribution Schedule & Location Community members can pick up free Narcan during the following window: Where: Beacon House, 963 S. Second Street, Louisville, KY When: 7 Days a Week Hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM The presence of Fentanyl and Carfentanil in the local drug supply has made the risk of fatal overdose higher than ever. Narcan (naloxone) is a safe, easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse an overdose in minutes. By providing this resource free of charge and without an appointment, Beacon House and PAR aim to equip the community to intervene and save lives before it’s too [...]
A Generous Tradition to Honor a Loved One
Mother Theresa once said, “Love has to be put into action and that action is service.” In 2017, the Kirk family and their friends began a yearly initiative of serving the Beacon House by bringing donations–both monetary gifts and essential items– during the holiday season. They began this tradition not only because of the spirit of giving that is top of mind around Christmas, but out of love for their family member, Michael E. Kirk Jr., who left this earth too soon. Michael was a resident of the Beacon House in 2015 as well as a beloved son, brother, friend, and more. Each December, Michael's family and friends come together to bring their donations like those pictured below. All of this is done in his memory! The Kirk family’s donations meet residents at a moment of real need. Many men arrive at the Beacon House with few personal belongings and often lacking basic necessities. Thoughtful gifts such as warm socks, blankets, and personal care items provide immediate comfort, restore dignity, and help residents focus on healing and recovery rather than unmet daily needs. These simple but meaningful [...]
Michael’s Testimony and Journey to Recovery
At 12 years old, Michael Cortez took his first steps down a road that would take years to turn around. Born and raised in Costa Rica—where he shared that cocaine and alcohol were easy for him to find—he started using substances before most kids finished middle school. Over the years, addiction followed him across borders and through life changes. But thanks to a life-changing recommendation and the support of the Beacon House, Michael now wakes up with purpose, stability, and a future he’s excited to build. “I Stopped Working. I Stopped Caring.” After moving to South Bend, Indiana, Michael continued drinking and using cocaine—until a coworker introduced him to methamphetamines. That’s when everything unraveled. “I stopped working. I stopped caring about myself,” Michael said. “I ended up homeless. I spent four months on the streets without a job, without food. It was hard.” But the loss that pushed him to seek real help came when his mother passed away. Grieving and broken, Michael turned to a treatment center in Indiana called Wooded Glen. It was there, through a case manager and a former Beacon House resident, that he heard [...]
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Awards the Beacon House
BEACON HOUSE AFTERCARE – AN HONORED 2025 RECIPIENT LOUISVILLE, KY – Beacon House Aftercare is proud to announce it received a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) in the amount of $15,000 to purchase a passenger van to serve the residents of our recovery facility. This generous grant provides much needed transportation for the medical, employment, life skills needs and social engagement which are essential for recovery from substance use disorder. HOKC awarded $2.5 million in grants supporting 333 non-profits, impacting more than 4 million Kentuckians. Grants are made possible through donations from Kentucky Colonels from throughout the Commonwealth and around the world who choose to exercise the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel in a meaningful way. According to Commanding General Gary Boschert: “2024 / 2025 was a challenging year for fulfilling Grant Requests, with $5 million in total requests. We were able to distribute $2.5 million through the Good Works Program that each of you generously supports. Every dollar you contribute to the Good Works Program goes out to nonprofits in the Commonwealth. Together we helped support more than 4 million people [...]
A Culture of Compassion: How James Collins Ford Is Leading the Way in Giving Hope and Jobs to Those in Recovery
Stories like this show us what’s possible: to be a business that cares about more than the bottom line. For over a decade, this local car dealership and service department–James Collins Ford in Downtown Louisville–has been a beacon of opportunity for individuals recovering from substance abuse, by partnering with our residential program. These second chances – even third and fourth ones – are often hard to come by. This journey began in 2012, when a man from the Beacon House walked through their doors, seeking employment. At the time, James Collins Ford had little experience working with people in recovery, and the initial hire did not stay very long. However, the experience didn’t dissuade them from continuing to support our nonprofit and residents in this way. “They have to be ready.” Virginia Payne, the dealership's Director of Fixed Operations, shared with us. In 2013, another man from our program applied for a service shuttle position. Despite lacking a driver’s license, he showed determination by going out, obtaining one, and coming back to prove his commitment. He was hired, and that marked the beginning of a relationship that would [...]