LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An annual fundraiser helps families and people in recovery by trying to break the cycle of substance abuse.

On Tuesday, the Morton Center hosted its annual fundraising luncheon with the goal of raising awareness and money so that no one is ever turned away.

"I was scared of trying things and of just being average," John Y. Brown III said. "And we had alcoholism on both sides."

Brown, the former secretary of state and son of former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr., dealt with challenges.

"When I finished high school, my father sat me down, I was graduating in the bottom half of my class, he knew about my drinking," Brown said.

Brown was the keynote speaker for the Morton Center's 40th annual Heroes for Hope Luncheon.

"I remember him saying at one point if we had a blackboard and wrote down all the ways you could screw up your life, I don't think you're leaving anything out," Brown said.

Brown shared his 38-year journey to sobriety and how an argument with his wife led to a life-changing wake up call.

"It also was one of those aha moments of you got to do more," Brown said. "The quitting drinking, that's just table stakes, what kind of person are you going to be, what kind of husband are you going to be, what kind of father you are going to be."

Priscilla McIntosh, CEO of the Morton Center, said the annual luncheon helps provide services to families who can't afford treatment.

"Someone wanting to make the choice and to be able to get help, and being able to say yes, come on in, without them having to worry about that financial barrier," McIntosh said. "It's that opportunity to be able to go ahead and get started in treatment and truly save their lives while also breaking the cycle of addition."

To learn more about the Morton Center and the services it provides, click here.

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