Dear Family Member:
Meet Lachelle Fenison: Some people join an organization by filling out an application. I joined Drug Alternative Program by walking into a living room—and I’ve been part of the family ever since.
It all began in 1988, when I was working as a physical therapist aide. That’s where I met Freddie, who happened to be a patient. We quickly became friends, and before long, Freddie began sharing the story of the dream she and Cliff Harris had: to create the Drug Alternative Program (DAP), a place where men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction could find support, hope, faith, and a new direction for their lives.
There was just one small problem: I knew absolutely nothing about addiction. What I did know was that I had a heart for people. So, I asked, “Can I help?” Cliff recognized my compassion and essentially said, “Come on! Of course you can help. We meet every week in our living room.” And just like that, a nearly four-decade journey began. Week after week, I faithfully showed up at Cliff and Freddie’s home in Grand Terrace, CA, joining others in prayer for a community devastated by addiction. Soon, so many people were coming that the living room could no longer contain the vision—or probably all the chairs!
Thankfully, Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church opened its doors and provided DAP with space to meet. As the program grew, I stepped into the role of full-time activity director. My assignment was simple: keep everyone engaged, connected, and moving forward. And I took the word activity seriously.
There were family-style dinners, bowling trips, picnics, snow adventures, weekend retreats, opportunities to feed the homeless, and plenty of other activities designed to replace idle time with fellowship, laughter, service, and purpose. Before long, DAP wasn’t simply a program—it felt like one big family.
One retreat became especially unforgettable for me. Watching members of my DAP family make the decision to follow Christ, I felt convicted to be baptized alongside them. There was only one complication. I couldn’t swim. So, while everyone else may have been thinking about the spiritual significance of baptism, part of me was probably thinking, “Lord, I trust You—but please make sure they bring me back up!” They did. And that baptism with my DAP family is one of the highlights of my life.
As the years passed, Cliff and Freddie realized that the growing need required more than weekly meetings. To help people experience lasting change, DAP needed to provide structure and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So, the DAP family prayed. And prayed. And prayed some more. Then God answered—not with one home, but two, allowing the ministry to expand its work and provide residential support to those seeking a different life.
By then, I had plenty happening in my own home. I was married, raising two small children and another family member, and balancing all the responsibilities that come with family life. My time was stretched, but my commitment to DAP never disappeared. I continued helping wherever I could and eventually was invited to serve on the Board of Directors in 1997. Nearly three decades later, I am still serving and now hold the role of Chairman of the Board.
From physical therapist aide to activity director, to volunteer, prayer partner, board member, and board chair, my titles have changed over the years. But the thing that brought me to that living room in 1988 remains the same: Compassion. I came without addiction-treatment experience. I simply saw people hurting and believed I could help.
Today, after decades of service, prayer, friendship, laughter, challenges, growth, and more than a few unforgettable adventures, I still consider Drug Alternative Program family. And if you ask how long I plan to remain committed to DAP, my answer is simple: If there is breath in my body, I will have a heart for the Drug Alternative Program—compassionate, committed, and always ready to serve. After all, when you’ve been part of the family since the living-room days, there really is no quitting, you just keep showing up!
I have been married for 35 years to Dr. Anthony Fenison, an Orthopedic Surgeon in Moreno Valley, CA. And somewhere between raising a family, supporting a busy medical practice, serving DAP, and everything else life brought my way, Anthony and I managed to raise three accomplished children. Our daughter Jenelle resides in Washington, D.C., where she works as a marketing consultant manager for a leading consulting group. Our daughter Aurriel recently completed her residency in Pediatrics and is now pursuing a fellowship in Neonatology. Aurriel was also recently married to Dr. Kofi Agyeman, and the couple lives in Los Angeles. Our son Benjamin works in Brooklyn, NY, as a data scientist, programming artificial intelligence.
Through the demands of marriage, motherhood, career, and family life, my commitment to DAP continues.
Family member, as you read Lachelle’s story, you see that DAP’s work goes beyond helping men addicted to drugs. While embracing a new life in Christ, Lachelle and her family have been a tremendous blessing – not only through their faithful service but also through their generous financial contributions to DAP. Thank you for your kindness and support. May their example inspire you to continue helping DAP fulfill God’s work in this community.
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