GREENSBORO, N.C. —  Terumi Young is in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse. She has been clean for seven years and is now trying to help others who are struggling.

Young is the founder of Recovery Queens Outreach Services of the Piedmont. She wants it to be known that women who are struggling can come to her or her organization for resources and help. 

“I survived, alcohol and drug abuse," Young said. "I know what it feels like to be out there and you don't have any support. You aren't able to get the items and the things that you need because you're so bound by your disease.”

Young says she knew it was time to get help when she was at her father's funeral.

"They did the 12 gun salute because he was in the military, and what happened was, I could feel his spirit telling me to change," she recalled.

Young said her father was her biggest enabler and after his passing, she looked for help and went into recovery. 

Being seven years clean, she wants to help others who may be experiencing homelessness and addiction. 

“Drugs for me, was an escape from me not being able to help people," she said. "It was an escape from me not being able to live in my true purpose. And once I got clean, I realized I can't keep paralyzing myself.”

She began making and handing out hygiene bags to people in Greensboro who needed them.

“I'm out here, not for the attention but because I want to help somebody. I know what it's like to be out here, and nobody ain't trying to help or nobody's even trying to hear me," said Young. "So, I do believe that when you've been through it and you come across someone else, it touches the heart more.”