As an Admissions Coordinator at Delaware’s Kirkwood Detox, Michelle Lumpkin is often one of the first introductions to the facility for clients. After 27 years in addiction, she knows exactly what they are facing when they walk in the door, so she works hard to make them feel comfortable right from the beginning.

Michelle has been sober for six years after having completed the program at Kirkwood. She later was hired as a Peer Specialist, then transitioned to Admissions Coordinator.  She remembers staff being compassionate and empathetic when she first entered the program. Now Michelle has a similar opportunity to encourage others.  “People feel like they’re beat down when they first come here”, she says. “My job is to first gain their respect, then encourage them to believe that they have a real chance.The biggest reward for me is to see someone who has struggled as I had eventually succeed at recovery.”