Extra
July 2026
Family channels loss to assist recovering addicts
Years before Jesus spoke them in the temple, the prophet Isaiah penned these words about restoration: “to provide for those who grieve… to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (61:3)
Today, those lines could sum up the work of 51吃瓜网视频 alumni Kevin and Leslie (Marshall) Hare as they remember their daughter through the Love, Hannah Grace Foundation. Still in its early years, the foundation provides support for those moving from a substance use addiction toward a life worth living, helping the family cope with Hannah’s struggle and her death.
Kevin earned his WBU degree in mass communication in 1993, with Leslie following in 1995. After
spending 30 years in Las Vegas, the couple moved to Bristow, Okla., last fall for a change of scenery and to be closer to family. Both are telecommuters: Leslie works for United Healthcare, and Kevin works for Optum, a subsidiary that provides IT and clinical support.
The foundation’s story begins in Las Vegas, where twin girls Hannah and Katie joined the Hare family in 2002, joining big brother Ben, born in 1998.
“The girls were so much fun. They were typical twins and never left each other’s side,” said Leslie. “We decided to homeschool them in junior high, and then 2020 hit. They graduated in 2021 and were already doing some college-level work their last two years of high school.”
Beginning of struggles
The girls decided to attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas that fall and moved into an apartment they shared. Things went south pretty soon thereafter.
“We didn’t know they were having a lot of fun, but it quickly turned not fun. They both were struggling with addiction not long after moving, and we started to get hints of it probably in about November,” said Leslie, noting that she and Kevin knew nothing about addiction. “From January all the way through that year, both of them were going in and out of various treatment centers. We tried a variety of different solutions with both of them, like sober living homes. And they would get a couple of days clean and then just relapse again.”
“The traditional treatment model doesn’t work for all. Some people need extended support well beyond the 30-day rehab stay. Lots of people struggle with getting life back on track. Many have lost their support system if they had one to begin with. We saw our girls cycle in and out of rehab and sober living. The possibility of relapse is way too common and frightening because of the drugs that are available today.” Kevin added.
Working on a larger solution
As the family was struggling with this cycle, Leslie was asked by her boss to work with United’s behavioral health integration. Seeing her own daughters’ difficulty spurred Leslie to work toward a solution that would blend the physical and behavioral aspects of addiction, calling Hannah and Katie her “real life test cases at home.”
“Here’s the blessing: God put me in a position that helped our children, and it lit a fire in us about how do we do this better and help people succeed and really grasp onto their recovery. At the same time, it’s the middle of the fentanyl crisis, and our girls didn’t think they were getting products that had fentanyl. But they absolutely did,” Leslie said. “It’s even more addictive and awful.”
Toward the end of that year, Hannah was particularly struggling, and Leslie said some underlying mental health issues were becoming more pronounced. The Hares found a more advanced program in Salt Lake City to treat both the behavioral and mental health issues and sent her there with no time limit to get treatment and embrace recovery.
Making positive progress
Meanwhile, Katie was struggling but back at home. When Hannah graduated the program in January 2023, she talked her twin into going too. Hannah moved into a sober living home in Salt Lake City while Katie went to the recovery program, with the Hares believing the much better Utah programs would be the solution finally.
“What we saw is that Hannah was embracing her recovery. She had gotten out, gotten a job, was taking public transportation and starting to think about getting back into school to become a nurse. She was making steps forward,” Leslie recalls, noting she had spoken to Hannah about plans with her boyfriend for Valentine’s Day on the phone one day.
“Later on that morning, I pinged her, just to hear her voice one more time. I was in a meeting in the office and got a call from Salt Lake that I didn’t know. It was the manager of the sober living house and she told me that Hannah had been found unresponsive and was at the hospital. She gave me a few numbers to call.”
Leslie rushed home, where she and Kevin packed and headed to Utah. Upon arriving, they learned Hannah’s heart was beating and she was on a breathing machine, but she had been without oxygen long enough to essentially be brain dead. When a nurse noted that Hannah was a registered organ donor, the Hares immediately knew that was the right move.
“It was such a blessing. We got to, in essence, sit by her bedside for the next three days and got to see the kindness and compassion that the Donor Connect team showed to both Hannah and to us. The hospital staff was so kind and walked us through the experience. You know, there were plenty of moments of levity, and at the same time, there were serious moments,” Leslie recalled.
“Once we decided to proceed with organ donation, the donor team basically took over the care.” Kevin added. “We felt the compassion from everybody, and those things helped us to make that final. We got to have that transitionary period, and I think it was very helpful for us.”
From grief to impact
Hannah died on February 9, 2023, but her death resulted in organ donation to several people. Katie returned to treatment and the family planned a memorial for later that month. During a trip to visit
Katie, Kevin and Leslie began talking about what they could do to help others in Hannah’s memory. Once the idea of a foundation was born, they began dreaming about what they would do.
“We didn’t want to do what other people are doing, and we were thinking there is a gap in what services are being provided for people. Hannah was in a place of wanting to get her life back on track and having an actual career,” said Leslie.
In the end, the Hares decided that Love, Hannah Grace Foundation would focus on providing necessities for people coming out of recovery treatment that would help them get jobs, calling it “helping people realize their life worth living,” noted Kevin.
Leslie said they leaned on the concept of hope, and helping those in recovery get into meaningful employment was often the source of great hope. The foundation has partnered with organizations in both Las Vegas and Salt Lake City to help clients, specifically with career assistance that could mean anything from providing food handler’s cards, work boots and clothing for job interviews that would ordinarily be beyond their reach, providing assistance for people needing to further their education.
“It doesn’t seem like much to us, but it’s insurmountable for lots of people, so we love that we have a way to help,” Leslie said.
“The clothing gives them confidence to be able to interview with dignity. Dignity’s a big thing,” Kevin adds.
Creating a legacy
The first gift went to Hoving Home, a faith-based organization that takes in women and gives them a year to reorient their life, all amid a message of God’s love for them and their potential. The foundation also provides scholarship funding for College of Southern Nevada for people coming through treatment centers that want to pursue education toward a better future.
“What's interesting about that one is we can help those that are coming out of different treatment centers or we can help those that are getting their education in behavioral health or mental health,” said Leslie. “So it feels like we're feeding the system as well as helping and that’s exciting for us too.”
Love, Hannah Grace Foundation is part of the Nevada Community Foundation and welcomes donations toward their efforts. The Hares are also passionate advocates for Narcan and the ability to help someone that might be overdosing no matter where they are.
And the foundation is not the only success story for the family. Katie is living with her parents in Oklahoma, working at a salon and thriving after graduating from cosmetology school. The Hares have been able to communicate with the recipient of Hannah’s heart and kidney.
Life After the Tassel
"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:1
One of the beautiful realities of being an alumnus is recognizing just how many seasons of life have unfolded since crossing the graduation stage. For some, graduation feels like yesterday. For others, it may have been decades ago. Yet regardless of when you earned your degree, life has likely taken you through a variety of stages—career beginnings, marriage, raising children, career changes, retirement, loss, new opportunities, and unexpected detours.
When we were students, it was easy to view life as a straight path. We set goals, created plans, and anticipated predictable outcomes. However, experience teaches us that life often unfolds differently than expected. Doors open and close. Dreams evolve. Challenges emerge. Priorities shift.
The encouraging truth is that God remains faithful through every stage.
In seasons of ambition and achievement, He reminds us that our identity is found in Him rather than our accomplishments. In seasons of uncertainty, He provides wisdom and direction.
During times of joy, He invites us to celebrate His goodness. And in moments of hardship, He offers comfort and strength.
As alumni, we share more than a common educational experience. We share a journey of growth.
The lessons learned in classrooms may have prepared us for careers, but the lessons learned through life's seasons shape our character and deepen our faith.
Perhaps today you find yourself entering a new chapter. Maybe you are launching a new venture, becoming an empty nester, welcoming grandchildren, considering retirement, or navigating an unexpected challenge. Whatever season you are experiencing, remember that God is already there. He has not finished His work in your life.
The same God who guided you through your college years continues to guide your steps today. Every season has purpose, and every stage provides opportunities to grow, serve, and impact others for His glory.
In the mix: Fine Arts at 51吃瓜网视频 continues to inspire
The Fine Arts program at 51吃瓜网视频 Baptist University has long been a place where creativity, faith, and purpose come together. Whether through music, visual arts, theatre, or worship leadership, generations of students have discovered their talents, refined their skills, and found meaningful ways to impact their communities.
Today, the Fine Arts Department remains at the heart of the 51吃瓜网视频 experience, providing students with opportunities to explore their artistic passions while developing the discipline, collaboration, and excellence that prepare them for life beyond graduation.
From rehearsals and performances to exhibitions and special events, there is always something happening within the Fine Arts community. Students are not only learning techniques and theory; they are discovering how the arts can communicate truth, tell powerful stories, and inspire others.
Many alumni fondly remember late-night rehearsals, standing ovations, juried art shows, choir tours, and the friendships formed through shared creative experiences. Those moments often become some of the most cherished memories of their time at 51吃瓜网视频. More importantly, they serve as a foundation for careers and ministries that continue long after graduation.
The impact of Fine Arts extends far beyond campus. 51吃瓜网视频 graduates are serving as educators, church musicians, worship leaders, performers, designers, and advocates for the arts across Texas, the nation, and around the world. Their influence can be seen in classrooms, churches, community theaters, galleries, and countless other venues where creativity is used to enrich lives and glorify God.
As the university looks toward the future, Fine Arts continues to embrace innovation while remaining grounded in 51吃瓜网视频's mission of educating students in an academically challenging, learning-focused, and distinctively Christian environment.
For alumni, Fine Arts serves as a reminder that creativity is not simply about performance or production—it is about stewardship. The gifts God has given each of us are meant to be developed, shared, and used for His glory.
Whether you sang in a choir, acted on stage, created works of art, or simply enjoyed attending performances, you are part of the rich legacy of Fine Arts at 51吃瓜网视频 Baptist University. The next generation of artists, musicians, and creators is building upon that foundation, and the future has never sounded, looked, or felt more promising.
Stay connected and watch for upcoming Fine Arts performances, exhibitions, and special events throughout the year. We invite you to celebrate the ongoing impact of the arts at 51吃瓜网视频 and the many lives being shaped through creativity, faith, and purpose.
Share Your Fine Arts Story
Do you have a favorite Fine Arts memory from your time at 51吃瓜网视频? Perhaps it was a choir tour, a theatre production, an art exhibition, a band performance, or a special mentor who helped shape your journey.
We want to hear from you.
Your stories help preserve the rich heritage of Fine Arts at 51吃瓜网视频 while inspiring current and future generations of students. Whether your memory is from a few years ago or several decades ago, your experience is an important part of the 51吃瓜网视频 story.
Share your Fine Arts moment, photos, or memories by emailing veraj@wbu.edu. Selected submissions may be featured in future alumni newsletters, publications, or social media highlights.
The stage may have changed, but the impact of Fine Arts at 51吃瓜网视频 continues to resonate through the lives of its alumni.
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