from LiveWell Avery

NEWLAND, N.C. – On Tuesday, June 24th, Freedom Life hosted Art, Stories, and Chocolate at the Avery County Community Center, a moving celebration of transformation, healing, and the power of second chances. The event brought together community members, local artists, and individuals impacted by incarceration and addiction for an evening of storytelling, original artwork, and chocolate-inspired treats. The heart of the event was a silent auction featuring artwork created by regional artists, each piece inspired by the recorded personal story of a Freedom Life client. Artists listened to these stories, accounts of hardship, resilience, and rebirth, and translated them into visual pieces reflecting hope and new beginnings. Proceeds from the auction support Freedom Life’s expanding reentry services in Avery County and surrounding communities.
“When I came to McDowell County to start working with Freedom Life, we tried to come up with creative ideas that weren’t something everybody else was doing,” said Jim Smith, Development Director at Freedom Life. “Danny and I both went to Mars Hill for music education so we have a love for the arts, a love for people, and we love chocolate. So we thought, how can we put all that together?”

“We’d done something similar for United Way in Burke County, so we took that idea and adapted it, recording stories from twelve clients who were in a good place in their recovery, and sharing those videos with local artists to inspire new pieces of art. We’ve done it for three years in McDowell, and it’s growing there. This was the first time we brought it to Avery, and we hope it will be a good birthing place to start it for the next few years to come.”

Attendees also enjoyed handcrafted chocolate desserts, some of which tied directly into the stories shared. One dessert featured chocolate coins, symbolizing sobriety milestones and the personal victories represented throughout the evening.
“Art can open the heart in ways words alone can’t,” said Danny Hampton, Executive Director of Freedom Life. “It helps our clients express their stories and gives the community a chance to connect at a much deeper level that’s not intimidating or threatening. Our clients are human beings, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, who still have potential and purpose. Helping them find that purpose can change not just their lives, but the lives of their children. It’s about breaking generational cycles of addiction and brokenness.”

One of the featured stories came from Austen Bowie, a Freedom Life client whose experience with the organization marked a turning point in his life:
“Freedom Life has helped me change my life around,” said Bowie. “They sent me to Hebron Colony where I learned that I have a heart problem and it wasn’t just a drug problem that I had to overcome. They helped provide the tools and the support team that I needed in order to overcome the drug use. I plan to become a level four client to help mentor the newcomers coming in. I also plan to take peer
support classes and maybe one day be a part of Freedom Life staff.”

Art, Stories, and Chocolate was the first event of its kind in Avery County, and Freedom Life hopes it will become an annual tradition. The organization continues to expand its work through the Avery County Reentry Council, with long-term plans to build transitional housing, establish volunteer hubs in rural areas, and provide support for at-risk youth and families across the region.

For more information or to support Freedom Life’s mission, visit https://www.freedomlifeavery.org/

About LiveWell Avery:
LiveWell Avery is a community-driven initiative launched by Avery County Government to connect residents with essential health and wellness resources. The program fosters collaboration among local organizations, empowering individuals with the knowledge and support needed to lead healthier lives. Through education, outreach, and partnerships, LiveWell Avery promotes accessibility to programs that enhance physical, mental, and community well-being. By uniting key stakeholders, the initiative aims to create a stronger, healthier, and more connected Avery County.