Three years ago at this time, Debra Vines was in the midst of a nine-month stay at The Women’s Treatment Center in Chicago, recovering from a drug addiction.
Now, inspired by her 21-year-old autistic son, she heads up her own nonprofit, The Answer Inc., an autism awareness and support group that serves all of Proviso Township, among other surrounding western suburbs. On Saturday, March 7, Vines will receive an award from The Women’s Treatment Center, recognizing her achievements since completing the program there.
“I found the need to talk about the challenges of having a child with disabilities, and I knew there had to be other parents and caregivers out there going through the same thing,” Vines said. “After being addicted for so long, when you’re delivered from drugs and alcohol, you want to change your life, and I changed mine by helping others.”
Vines now is planning The Answer’s annual fundraiser, “Dance Fever,” an evening of food, entertainment and dancing for young adults and children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The event will be Saturday, Jan. 24, at Broadview Park District’s Schroeder Park.
A little about
AGE 50
FAMILY Husband, James Harlan; children, Mark and Jason
EXPERIENCE Vines also works on the board of women cq directors for Women in Progress Inc., Youth on the Move, and the Women’s Committee for state senator Kimberly A. Lightford, D-4th District, of Maywood. She previously worked as an outreach worker for CeaseFire.
CONTACT INFO Phone: (708) 296-5651; E-mail: dvines0627@yahoo.com; Web site: www.theanswerinc.org
Some of her favorites
LAST BOOKS SHE READ She reads the Bible daily, saying she owes everything to her faith, and is currently reading “Our Life on the Run: A Story of Running 50 Marathons in 50 States — A Family Quest,” by Marlin Keesler
LAST MOVIE SHE SAW “Seven Pounds,” with Will Smith
FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST Luther Vandross
MOTTO “My past is the pathway to my future.”
SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU “People wouldn’t think that I love quiet time, because I’m all over the place, but I love to meditate.”
