Through the generosity of sponsors and more than a dozen vendors, Drake hosted 25 women at the Lyric Theater for a day of pampering, complete with new clothes, hair styling, manicures, delicious food and inspirational speakers. This year, Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN) partnered with Drake to offer hand massage, art intervention and a gift bag at the event. 

“When we’re going through addiction and things, we don’t take care of ourselves, whether hair, feet or clothing,” Drake said. “You look at some of the ladies and think ‘she’d be really pretty cleaned up,’ and this is the day they get to see where they’ve come from and where they can go.” 

During Drake’s 25-year struggle with addiction, she felt like she was not only the black sheep of the family, but a wasted person without worth or purpose. While still incarcerated, her fellow inmates started calling her Sister Holy Water to make fun of her, but they would call her to pray when going to court or when family members were sick. Although it started as a put-down, she realized God had given her a gift to touch others, not just physically, but to leave a lasting spiritual impact. 

“I believe the scripture that says, ‘whatever you do, do it from the heart,’” she said. “I wanted to give them a touch, but I wanted them to know it was coming from the heart.” 

In 2016, she started her signature Good Friday event, Touching from the Heart, to help other women feel good, know that someone cares and that they are loved by others and a power greater than themselves. Drake also brings her granddaughters to help serve others and hopes the Good Friday event is a way to give back to Christ who so freely gave to her. 

“I couldn’t be part of my granddaughters’ lives if I didn’t change my life,” Drake said. “I want them to know the importance of not looking down on people for things and to appreciate their parents and the life that they have.” 

As part of the event, members of BCN’s integrative medicine team and volunteers offered hand massages and an art project. Each woman was given a stone as a remembrance of the day and could paint a word or a picture on the stone that would remind them of the gift and hope in each day. 

“The women were so open, and we really saw the power of positive touch,” Whitney Clay, Integrative Medicine Program Coordinator, said. “Many of these women have likely experienced threatening touch or been viewed as less than. You could almost feel the nervousness in the women’s hands, but as we massaged, you could watch it melt away. It was beautiful.” 

From the Heart Catering is committed to serve the community, provide nutritious meals and educate others on how to cook healthy without sacrificing flavor. Drake also offers a 6-8 week training program, Teaching from the Heart. As part of this program, women in recovery are given the opportunity to learn job skills and receive a job reference. Drake also pays for them to earn a food handler’s permit to give them the tools to live a life without addiction. 

“Food is an avenue of healing because it brings people together and companionship is a big part of healing,” she said. “Loneliness is just as bad as being sick, and food brings people together. It brings happiness and laughter. It relieves stress by coming together. Even if it’s just bringing food to someone, you don’t feel alienated.” 



Drake works with local churches, businesses and organizations to supply food to those in need throughout the year. To learn more about From the Heart Catering or to partner with Drake, visit fromtheheartcateringky.com.