Most of us are aware of our county’s opioid crisis.

Gov. Henry McMaster this year signed 9 new laws to address the growing problem of addiction.

Programs and treament facilities help those struggling with addiction. But what about the families?

Who helps Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister heal from the trauma that comes with having a family member in recovery?

The Courage Center is a non-profit recovery community organization that does just that.

Their mission is to provide a safe, supportive, recovery-focused setting for young people and families on their recovery journey.

Executive Director Julie Cole knows that it’s never just the addicted person who suffers. Families often bear scars caused by addiction.

Cole has almost 20 years of sobriety and experince to lend to the Courage Center.

They are community driven.

This year they hosted a celebrity breakfast featuring members of the community including Ray Tanner, Dr. Akil Ross, and USC President Harris Pastides.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon serves on their advisory board.

They get guidance from those closest to addiction.

The Center currently holds community education events and support groups for young people and their families at Mr. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington. Soon, they’ll have their own space nearby on Park Road to offer multiple paths to recovery.

Co-founder Susan Mill had some discouraging experiences when looking for a new location for the Center. People misunderstand what the Courage Center is. They hear “addiction recovery” and think “criminals.”

Mt. Horeb’s Nate Gibson disagrees. “It is important to remember, these folks have chosen recovery, and are actively pursuing a plan.

“The epidemic we are facing as a community at large is too big for a local government, church, or miscellaneous nonprofit groups to tackle on their own,” Gibson wrote in an email to the Chronicle.

“It is going to take all of us, and groups like The Courage Center have a proven track record of partnering with the local community and serving the young folks in recovery and their families.”

Susan Mill, Julie Cole, and their Program Manager Brock Sansbury hope to change the stigma surrounding addiction. They want to share what they know: addiction is a disease that can affect anyone.

For more information or to donate to the Courage Center, visit their website couragecentersc.org or find them on Facebook.