Five years ago, Crystal Bell was trapped in a 20-year cycle of addiction, but out of complete desperation, she found a turning point that ultimately led her to freedom. Now, with the support of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) and its Recovery and Reentry program, Bell has rebuilt her life: she is employed, back in college, reunited with her daughters, and engaged to be married. Her journey is a testament to the power of faith and the opportunity for second chances in Eastern Kentucky.
Crystal Bell’s sobriety date is December 13, 2018. For over two decades, she was lost in addiction, which eventually led to her incarceration. What seemed like the worst moment of her life became the catalyst for her transformation. During her five-year prison sentence, she committed herself to a life of faith.
Bell was connected with EKCEP’s services through the Kentucky Career Center office in Somerset, where she was connected with Job Entry and Retention Support Specialist (JERRS), Jeremy Lewis, who helped her navigate the transition back into the workforce.
The EKCEP staff provided job readiness training, assisted with transportation barriers, and leveraged program funds to help Bell secure the professional materials she needed to begin her new career.
Since her release in February 2023, Bell has been on a resolute path forward. She immediately reunited with her daughters, earned her peer support certification, and gained employment at Lake Cumberland Recovery. A full-circle moment where she now helps others find their own path to sobriety. Demonstrating her commitment to long-term success, she also returned to college at Lindsey Wilson University.
Bell’s employment at Lake Cumberland Recovery as a Peer Support Specialist is a perfect match for her experience and mission. Lake Cumberland Recovery, a leading facility in the region, recognized Bell’s incredible potential and commitment to helping others in the community.
Ready to begin your journey? Reach out to a career advisor at your nearest Kentucky Career Center. Visit ekcep.org/find-a-career.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations, and is a proud partner in the American Job Center network. Learn more at ekcep.org.