IRMO, S.C. – The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo welcomed guest speaker Randy Rush, Executive Director of The Courage Center in Lexington, during its breakfast meeting on March 14. Rush shared the center’s multifaceted approach to helping individuals and families struggling with substance use and addiction.
The Courage Center focuses on peer-based recovery—with the cornerstone of its programs being peer mentoring. In this model, mentors are individuals who are also in recovery but further along in their journey. Each mentor completes 46 hours of Recovery Peer Specialist training before working with clients.
Beyond one-on-one mentoring, The Courage Center hosts support group meetings in a stigma-free, judgment-free environment. These sessions provide a platform for individuals to share their struggles, hear others’ experiences, and find strength in community. Meetings are held across the center’s three locations—Lexington, Richland, and Orangeburg counties—with virtual options also available.
In addition, the center organizes substance-free social events, offering clients a chance to relax and connect with peers and mentors in a casual setting. Another critical component of their support services is life skills training, which helps clients rebuild personal responsibility and learn how to “navigate through life,” Rush explained.
Clients come to The Courage Center through referrals from healthcare providers, schools, families, and community partners.
Funding for the nonprofit comes from a mix of grants, corporate donations, and individual supporters. The organization also hosts two annual fundraisers—the Day in May social event and an October golf tournament—to sustain its mission.
For more information, visit couragecentersc.org.
Pictured are Rush and Optimist Club President Gary Boyd, who presented the speaker with a copy of the Optimist Creed.
