Breaking Free | Southern Indiana woman uses talent to fundraise, inspire recovering addicts | Local News

NEW ALBANY, IN. (WDRB) -- A local recovery house helped a Georgetown, Indiana, woman get back on her feet. Now, she's giving back.

Lauren Saylor is dancing through life, but getting to this point, was no easy feat. She spent nearly a decade in and out of jail and hooked on heroin.

"I didn't have custody of my son," Saylor said. "I didn't feel lovable, so I didn't think I could give love."

But in 2021, she discovered The BreakAway. It’s a nonprofit recovery home in New Albany that empowers women to overcome addiction.

"Without this house, I don't know where I would be today," she said. "They gave me my whole life back."

She found a sisterhood and a sense of purpose while going through the program. Saylor hopes to pay it forward, by tapping into her inner dancer in the upcoming BreakAway Dancing competition.

"I didn't think we'd get this far," she said "But here we are."

She’s spent eight weeks perfecting a routine for the event. On Aug. 15, this ballroom dance competition will serve as a fundraiser.

"We raise money to take the residents who are in the house on camping trips and things like that," Saylor said with pride. "It's really helped me by giving back. It's filled my cup up."

Saylor is nearly 5 years sober. She has a roof over her head and regained custody of her son. She's also getting married later this year and will have a blended family.

"It's great to be a part of their lives and be the mom I am today," she said.

She hopes other women struggling with addiction realize there is a community for them to lean on.

"You really can't do it on your own," she said. "Reach out for help, cause it's out there."

Tickets to the sixth annual BreakAway Dancing are sold out, but you can still vote for your favorite dancer and to donate to The BreakAway.