Turning Pain Into Purpose: The Beginning of the Adams Legacy Project
Welcome to the Adams Legacy Project. If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’ve experienced the devastating impact fentanyl and other substances can have on our loved ones, our families, and our communities. You’re not alone. I started this project because I, too, have faced that loss, and I wanted to create a space where our shared pain could transform into something meaningful—a legacy of hope, compassion, and purpose.
Why I Started the Adams Legacy Project
This journey began with a deep and personal loss. Like so many others, my family’s life was changed forever by the grip of substance use. In the face of grief, I realized there were so many stories like ours—stories of love, loss, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward. But there were also gaps. Families like mine didn’t always have a safe place to share their experiences or find understanding without fear of judgment. That’s why I created the Adams Legacy Project.
What We Stand For
The Adams Legacy Project exists to honor the lives of those we’ve lost while raising awareness about substance use and breaking the stigma surrounding it. Through memorials, events, and shared resources, we strive to give families and friends a voice, a community, and a sense of purpose.
When you visit our Memorial Wall, you’ll see the faces and read the stories of those we hold close to our hearts. These aren’t just names or statistics. They are people—sons, daughters, friends, and loved ones—who brought light and joy to the lives they touched. Their stories deserve to be told, remembered, and celebrated.
Turning Grief Into Action
SUD is often misunderstood. It’s easy for society to focus on the struggle while forgetting the human being behind it. That’s something I want to change. By sharing these stories, hosting events, and providing recovery resources, I hope to not only honor those we’ve lost but also provide hope and support for those still fighting.
I know we can’t erase the pain, but together, we can turn that pain into purpose. We can educate, reduce stigma, and provide the tools for others to heal. We can build a world where compassion replaces judgment and where every life lost to substance use is remembered—not just for how it ended, but for how it was lived.
Join Us on This Journey
This blog is a space for all of us. Here, I’ll share updates on events, personal reflections, and resources for families impacted by the drug epidemic. I’ll also feature stories from our community, because your voices matter, and together, we can create something powerful.
If you’d like to share your story, honor a loved one, or contribute to our mission, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can also explore our Memorial Wall or find resources for support and recovery right here on our site.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for believing in the power of turning pain into purpose. Together, we’re honoring lives, breaking stigma, and building a legacy of hope.
With gratitude,
Maranda
Founder, Adams Legacy Project
