Hope is Alive - Testimony
March 14, 2020
Hope Is Alive (HIA)
was approved by the Internal Revenue Service on November 1, 2013 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The idea for the organization was born nearly a year before when our Executive Director, Lance Lang, received treatment for his own struggle with drugs and alcohol in 2011.
In order to hold themselves accountable and remain sober, Lance and five other newly sober men chose to rent a house together. The experience and life-change that took place between the six men defied all statistics on recovering addicts. Families and marriages were restored, spiritual growth and leadership began to flourish, and all men began excelling in their chosen career paths. Through that experience, Lance realized a substantial need for families and communities in Oklahoma affected by addiction. Six years later, Hope Is Alive has evolved from one men’s home to 18 homes (6 women’s, 1 alumni, 11 men’s). Since 2013, our program has grown from five beds to 179!
We pride ourselves in having a long-term program that is unlike any other in the country. Men and women leave our program equipped emotionally, professionally, spiritually, financially, with their families restored and a toolkit of life skills that enable them to contribute mightily to their respective community. If men and women are looking for accountability, growth, sustained sobriety and radical life-change, they can find it at Hope Is Alive.
Chelsea Williams
struggled with addiction for over 15 years. She moved into the Hope is Alive program on April 29th, 2016. Chelsea’s story of transformation is nothing short of a miracle! Here is a part of her story:
My name is Chelsea Williams. I was raised in Harrah, Oklahoma along with three older brothers. Needless to say, I grew up quite the Daddy’s girl. In my childhood, my parents viewed success as what life looked like on the outside no matter how chaotic it was on the inside.My mind was set at a very early age that I needed to be perfect in everything I did whether it be sports or school. Naturally, these expectations came with a lot of pressure. Prescription pills took ahold of my life pretty early on, beginning with Adderall to help me study and give me energy for sports. It was very normal as I made my way through high school, but I’ll never forget how I felt the day I tried pain pills for the first time at 19 years old. I had never felt such bliss and had never been more comfortable in my own skin.
My self worth went downhill pretty quickly for me. I kept finding myself in situations I never thought I’d be in, such as writing fake prescriptions, being homeless, and losing guardianship of my beautiful babies. Sadly this became normal for me.While I was locked away detoxing off of the drugs, I just knew there had to be something better for me out there. Little did I know, God wasn’t done with me yet! In fact, He had a BIG purpose for my life that He was about to reveal!Hope is Alive is where my journey switched from chasing after drugs to chasing after God! I have never felt God’s presence more than when I’m surrounded by my HIA family. Because of Hope is Alive, I now have custody of my two sons! I got married to my best friend and soulmate after 13 years of dating (he also went through the HIA program). I went from homeless to being a new homeowner! My future is bright today and my connection with God is stronger than it’s ever been. I owe everything to the Hope is Alive program and God who was there every step of the way!
2025 has been another year filled with joy, growth, and meaningful service as Transforming Life Counseling Center continues its mission to support the mental health needs of our community. With a dedicated team of 19 therapists, TLCC is honored to walk alongside individuals and families facing a wide variety of challenges. We count it a true blessing to be trusted with your care and to play a role in strengthening the well-being of our community. As we reflect on this year, our hearts are full of gratitude—for your support, your courage, and the opportunity to make a difference together. From all of us at TLCC, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful, peaceful holiday season. May the coming year bring hope, healing, and continued connection.
We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to one of our esteemed therapists, Caleb Scoville, MS, LPC . On Thursday, November 13th, the Hough Ear Institute (HEI) held its annual Awards Gala, where Caleb was honored with the Elevate Award for his outstanding collaboration with HEI and his dedicated facilitation of the Tinnitus Support Group over the past two years. Transforming Life Counseling Center is grateful for our continued partnership with the Hough Ear Institute. We are honored to provide a home for the Tinnitus Support Group throughout 2025 and look forward to supporting this meaningful work in the coming year. The group offers both in-person and virtual options, expanding access to individuals across the country. TLCC sincerely thanks the Hough Ear Institute—not only have we been privileged to help facilitate this group, but we have also been deeply blessed by the connections formed and the resilience of the individuals we have met through it. The Hough Ear Institute , located in Oklahoma City, is responsible for groundbreaking research, education, and humanitarian efforts in the field of hearing and overall wellness. Our metro community is truly fortunate to have such innovative and life-changing work happening right here at home. One key area of HEI’s research is the management and treatment of tinnitus. Individuals living with tinnitus often experience cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges, including persistent ringing or buzzing in one or both ears. These symptoms can lead to significant distress, anxiety, and depression, especially when combined with life stressors, underlying medical conditions, or repeated exposure to loud noise. For the past two years, HEI has hosted a Tinnitus Support Group, providing a compassionate space for those affected to gather, share experiences, and uplift one another. We are honored to continue supporting this vital resource. For more information—or to donate to this worthy and life-changing cause—please visit Hough Ear Institute . To join or share details about the Tinnitus Support Group, visit Tinnitus Support Group or call (405) 246-5433 for more information.
By Corey DeGiacomo, LMFT-Candidate
By Kevin Tutty, LPC If you have children, you know how easy it is to find Christmas centered around your kids. When I was single, I wondered why everyone became so busy this time of year. In a self-indulged world, marketing is designed to focus us on ourselves: It can be hard to focus on others. It wasn’t until I had a family that saw just how busy this time of year is! The Holidays are also a time of year when depression rises. I heard a pastor once say if you don’t want to feel a certain way, do something to take your mind off of how you are feeling. One great way to do this is to look for opportunities to help someone in need. For example, if you feel isolated, volunteer at a church, food bank, or other entity that helps others. This time of year is an excellent time to volunteer, as there is a greater need for volunteers in the non-profits that serve the people in our community. It is also a great way for a family to engage in a fun activity together, while helping those in need. I am convinced that once “the volunteer bug” gets someone, they will not need a reason to help others, as they will want to find opportunities to do that. This happened to me on a mission trip once and I wanted to return to the mission field the next chance I had to go. We are blessed by giving to others. When giving to those in need there is a distinction between two easily misinterpreted terms: sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is more self-focused: We get this feeling when we “feel” badly for someone in a difficult situation. On the other hand, we feel empathy when we are able to put ourselves in another’s place and see things from their perspective. When we empathize with another, our efforts are focused on the other person. The other person is validated because we are looking at things from their point of view, and understand their person’s situation or perspective. Volunteering is a great way to develop empathy, especially for those who are focused on their own wants and desires. Back to volunteering though, be prepared to get some resistance initially when proposing the idea of volunteering, especially if your kids are not used to it. Once you go, try to make it as fun as possible, scheduling a fun activity the family can engage in together along with the volunteer effort. Then, process the volunteer effort over dinner and see what other types of volunteering would be of interest to them next. There are a number of local agencies that would be good opportunities to volunteer. Here are just a few to get started: Regional Food Bank (12 and older): 405-972-11111 EARC Thrift Store (Downtown Edmond): 405-285-7658 (South Edmond): 405-348-6502 Hope Center (Edmond): 405-348-4680 Local churches can connect you to volunteer opportunities The City Rescue Mission in Downtown Oklahoma City (405-232-2709) offers groups a great opportunity to get a tour of the facility as well as serving the homeless. The Christmas and Holiday Season is such a fun time, with many activities and opportunities to serve others. We are truly more blessed when we are serving others! Kevin Tutty is a Licensed Practical Counselor and a clinical member at Transforming Life Counseling Center.
By Caleb Scoville, LPC
Transforming Life Counseling Center is pleased to continue to expand our team of quality therapists with the addition of a new team member. We welcome our newest member: Necco Gill, Licensed Professional Counselor. This therapist supports TLCC in continuing to support the vast counseling needs of our community and brings new areas of training. For more information on her expertise and training, you can find her bio below and on our website. In addition to our licensed staff, TLCC also has pre-licensed candidates who receive supervision by our therapists and can offer lower fees in an effort to support clients needing therapy at a lower cost. For more information about our therapists, insurances we take and fees, our phone number is (405) 246-5433 Necco Gill, LPC