FOSTERING HOPE: Through her position at OASIS, Sarah Foster hopes to help encourage individuals to overcome their addictions and walk the road of recovery alongside her

TIFTON — Nearly fifteen years ago, Sarah Foster began walking the road to recovery from her addictions, and as she continues to walk that road today, she strives to help others seeking that help find theirs.

As a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) at OASIS Recovery Community Organization, Foster works to support individuals struggling with addiction, not only encouraging them to overcome their addiction, but providing resources and aid for them to re-enter the workforce.

Foster herself is in long-term recovery, having struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for twenty years while living in Miami. She returned to Tifton in 1994 to tend to her father, who had fallen ill, and with the hopes of leaving her addiction behind her. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that she found the motivation to become clean.

”I looked in the mirror one day and just did not recognize the person I saw, and I didn’t want to continue to live like that, so I made an effort to change my life around,” Foster said. “Now I’m an advocate for recovery, every day I live my recovery.”

While she worked to move past her addiction and stay on the path to recovery, it wouldn’t be until 2019 that Foster would feel the call to help those in the position she once was. Inspired to make a difference in someone else’s life, she joined the staff of OASIS after a year of study and preparation.

Having seen herself in many of those that come through the center doors, she now shares her story with the individuals she helps at OASIS, hoping that her own journey to overcome her addiction will inspire them to take steps to recovery as well.

”Addiction does not discriminate–but neither does recovery,” Foster said. “Anybody seeking recovery can find hope and help, one day at a time, and it’s available to us all.”

For more information about OASIS and their services, visit their website at oasistifton.com or contact (229)396-5900.