Executive Director of the Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (LRADAC) Foundation Tifani Moore believes in both the mission of LRADAC, as well as the people who seek help from the agency. “A lot of times people who are suffering from addiction feel shame. I think one of the great things we do is help to remove that shame. It takes so much for someone to say I have a problem, and then seek help,” said Moore.
LRADAC is the non-profit designated recovery agency of Lexington and Richland counties. The agency helps through prevention, intervention, and treatment programs for those struggling with substance addiction. “We assist all age groups. Children get referred to us from local school districts, all the way up to adults needing help for substance misuse. We do a great job of encompassing the whole person and want to ensure that we set them up for success so that when they leave us, they have the tools they need to get their life back on track.”
Moore has been in her current position as LRADAC Foundation Executive Director for nearly a year. She leads the charge to help ensure that the programs offered by the agency grow. “For example, we have a mom’s program for women who are pregnant and who have been or currently are on any substances. They get connected with us, and we help them from day one and even postpartum.”
Moore said she particularly enjoys celebrating the successes of those who have gone through the program. “We invite everyone back throughout the years, and we have a huge Christmas gathering for them the first week of December. And so, you can adopt families, and we give the moms gift cards for groceries. We want to make it special for them and have fun and celebrate not only them and the women that they have become, but also the life that they brought into the world.”
Another aspect of the foundation is to help fund programs and provide financial assistance to patients who need treatment. “If insurance can’t pay, we are not going to turn someone away. We have a recovery assistance program that the foundation provides. If you think about it, if you are down on your luck and may have just spent your last dollar – it’s either getting your life back on track or paying the electric bill. We don’t want people to have to choose between those. We want to make that part as easy for someone as possible.”
Moore said she wants those who are struggling with substance addiction to know that help is available, and that recovery is possible.
Moore studied Exercise Science at Coastal Carolina University and received her master’s in Kinesiology at the University of Louisville. She is an avid reader and always has two or three books on hand at any given time. Moore and her husband, Chris, enjoy spending time at the softball and soccer fields with their three children Lillie-Grace (17), Paxton (15), and Wyatt (15).