Written by Kate Richter, Contributor
As a member ofThe Magdalen House staff, I have the distinct privilege of watching the lives of alcoholic women transform as they begin to take the first steps toward recovery through our no cost programs. At The Magdalen House, alcoholic women are given the opportunity to experience restored dignity and renewed hope. They are immersed in the 12-Step solution and shown that freedom from the stronghold of alcoholism is possible. On November 4th, friends of The Magdalen House, new and old, came together and left a legacy that will help countless alcoholic women seeking a transformed life.
This year’s Leave a Legacy treated the Dallas Community to an exclusive evening of storytelling and songs by Nashville’s most famous songwriters, Liz Rose and Lori McKenna of The Love Junkies, with special guest Hailey Whitters. The evening, chaired by Lucinda Buford, had a sell-out crowd of over 300 guests treated to an unforgettable, open-air concert experience under the starry Texas sky to celebrate life, recovery, and freedom from the stronghold of alcoholism.
Liz, Lori, and Hailey took to the stage, where they shared countless memories of their songwriting and sang hit after hit, including favorites such as Girl Crush written for Little Big Town, You Belong With Me written for Taylor Swift, and Crazy Girl written for Eli Young Band.
Between sets, our fearless leader, Lisa Kroencke approached the podium and spoke about The Magdalen House programs and the immense growth the agency has experienced in the last five years.
“At The Magdalen House, alcoholic women walk shoulder-to-shoulder, helping each other develop the spiritual tools to restore their lives.”
– Lisa Kroencke
However, the star of the show was our very own, Patrice Olootu. Patrice inspired the audience by sharing her firsthand experience of how The Magdalen House transformed her life and reunited her family. She finished by singing a verse from Amazing Grace and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“My life has allowed me to reunite with my family in the way that I should.”
– Patrice Olootu
The proceeds raised will help provide free services to help women, like Patrice, establish sobriety through education of alcoholism as a disease while equipping them with the tools necessary to sustain recovery. On behalf of the staff, Board of Directors, and the women we serve, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend an evening with us. Because of you, we can continue to transform the lives of alcoholic women and their families.