MILWAUKEE — The Vin Baker Recovery Center is located near 76th and Hampton in Milwaukee and had its official ribbon cutting today. The Former NBA All-Star and Bucks Assistant Coach says the center's location was extremely important.
"This is right in the heart of the city, and everyone will have access to come here and get the therapy and the treatment that's needed to get them living life on life's terms and having the opportunity to have a sober life," said Baker.
It was almost a year ago that TMJ4's Andrea Williams sat down with Vin Baker to discuss his sobriety and his game plan to help others battling addiction. Fast forward to today, his recovery center is now a reality.
"I know how serious the disease of addiction is and so that's why I started on this journey to come and provide help and hope," said Baker.
The center received $500,000 from the opioid settlements that the Wisconsin Department of Justice brought to the state.
Baker was an 8th-round draft pick for the Milwaukee Bucks in 1992. He played with several NBA teams before alcohol addiction cost him his job, his fortune, his reputation, and almost his life. April 17th will mark 14 years of sobriety for him.
"So my message is, although I'm enjoying 14 years in this wonderful center and providing hope and help, I'm still a drink away, right? Like it takes the maintenance of the love, and help, and hope of everyone involved including me," said Baker.
The Vin Baker Recovery Center's mission is to give members of the community like new client Derrick Lowe, access to healthcare for substance use, mental health issues, and recovery support.
"It's been a long while for me. I've been going through something for about 20 years. I just could never get the proper help that I've been able to get right now," said Lowe.
For Vin, today was not only a celebration for him and his partners but for a community that in many ways has felt under-served. He compared today's grand opening to a Bucks Media Day when he was a player.
"We have a lot of expectations. We have a lot of hope. We have a lot of gifted people in this building that can help us get to where we need to get people to where they need to get to, but when the lights and cameras go away, we have a lot of work to do!" said Baker.
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