Hello

My name is Lori Wheeler, and I am the Founder and President of Serenity Mills Inc., a nonprofit organization established in loving memory of my beloved brother, Byron, whose life was profoundly affected by alcohol and substance use addiction. His journey, his struggles, his resilience, and the lessons our family learned while supporting him are the heart behind this organization and the reason I am committed to helping others who are working to rebuild their lives.

 

Throughout his life, Byron experienced periods of recovery as well as setbacks. His struggles with addiction eventually contributed to legal challenges and incarceration. After his release, he faced another obstacle that many individuals encounter during recovery and reentry: finding a safe, stable environment while trying to rebuild their lives and move forward.

 

Eventually, Byron came into my care. With stability, structure, encouragement, accountability, and family support, he began making positive progress. During that time, I helped him with many of the same needs that Serenity Mills now seeks to address in the community—stability, practical guidance, connection to resources, encouragement, and the opportunity to regain independence.

Our lives changed dramatically after the unexpected passing of our mother. Her death deeply affected Byron, and as he struggled with grief and depression, he increasingly turned to alcohol as a way of coping.

 

Over time, his alcohol use severely affected his health and ultimately contributed to liver failure. He was later diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition associated with severe thiamine deficiency and frequently linked to chronic alcohol misuse.

Despite the love and support surrounding him, Byron ultimately lost his battle with addiction and passed away on July 23, 2025.

 

Losing my brother was one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but his passing also became a source of purpose. I knew that the care, structure, encouragement, and resources I tried to provide for him could become the foundation for helping others facing similar barriers.

As a Registered Nurse, I have spent much of my career caring for people during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives. My professional experience, combined with my family's personal experience with addiction, recovery, grief, and reentry, has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of compassion, stability, accountability, dignity, and access to practical resources when someone is trying to begin again.

 

My professional background also includes experience as a real estate professional, notary public, and licensed bail bondsman. Together, these experiences have provided me with valuable knowledge of healthcare, housing, documentation, and the criminal justice system—all areas that can significantly affect a person's ability to achieve stability and successfully reintegrate into the community.

Serenity Mills Inc. was born from both personal loss and a determination to turn that loss into meaningful service.

 

In many ways, while Byron was in my care, I was already providing the type of support that inspired the programs Serenity Mills offers today. I helped him navigate challenges, encouraged him through setbacks, provided a stable environment, and supported his efforts to rebuild his life.

Now, in his loving memory, I want to extend that same compassion, guidance, and support to individuals and families throughout our community.

 

Serenity Mills Inc. was created to provide what my brother—and so many others—have needed: a safe place to land, support to rebuild, resources to move forward, and an opportunity to start again.

Through Project RECLAIM and other community-based initiatives, Serenity Mills seeks to empower individuals facing addiction recovery, homelessness, incarceration, reentry challenges, and other barriers to stability.

 

Our goal is not simply to help individuals survive difficult circumstances. We want to help them restore their confidence, strengthen their independence, reconnect with opportunities, develop essential life skills, and build a future they can be proud of.

I believe that a person's past should not determine their future. Everyone deserves dignity, compassion, an opportunity for personal growth, and the support necessary to make meaningful changes in their lives.

 

At Serenity Mills Inc., we recognize that rebuilding a life requires more than temporary assistance. It requires encouragement, accountability, access to resources, community connections, and people who genuinely believe in the possibility of change.

My vision for Serenity Mills Inc. is to create an organization that not only provides services but also transforms lives, strengthens families, restores hope, and creates lasting opportunities for success.

Although I cannot change the outcome of my brother's journey, I can honor his life by helping others who are facing similar struggles.

 

His story reminds me that behind every addiction, every setback, every incarceration, and every difficult circumstance is a human being deserving of compassion, understanding, and an opportunity to move forward.

 

At Serenity Mills Inc., we want to see people do more than survive. We want to see them thrive, succeed, and reclaim their future.

 

Byron's life will forever be the inspiration behind this organization, and his memory will continue to guide our commitment to serving individuals, strengthening communities, and creating pathways toward hope, healing, stability, and independence.

 

In loving memory of Byron — July 23, 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori Wheeler, RN

Founder & President

Serenity Mills Inc.

Restoring Lives. Rebuilding Futures.