Actress Mackenzie Phillips Sells Out First Call Fundraiser
By Kathy Feist
“My life is bursting with love and purpose today,” said Mackenzie Phillps, former actress, when asked what keeps her clean and sober. Phillips, once a popular 70s TV star, now works at the Breathe Life Healing Center, an addiction treatment program in West Hollywood, CA. “I get to work with and hopefully inspire others who are struggling. It gives me such joy.”
Phillips will inspire a sold-out crowd at First Call’s Annual Night of Recovery and Hope on Thursday, September 14, at the Gallery Event Space in downtown Kansas City. First Call, located on 91st and State Line, helps those affected by addiction.
Phillips is the daughter of John Phillips and stepdaughter of Michelle Phillips, both lead singers of the 60s band The Mamas & the Papas. But she is best known as teenager Julie Cooper on the hit sitcom One Day at a Time. From the late 70s to the late 2000s, the musician and actress struggled with substance use disorder.
Phillips says her turning point came in 2008. “All I could think was ‘I’m someone’s mother’ as I was handcuffed,” said Phillips who has a son. “That was a real pivotal moment for me.”
Phillips is now in recovery and a clinician at Breathe Life Healing Center.. She has published two books, High on Arrival and Hopeful Healing, and is a powerful advocate for individuals and families suffering from substance use disorder.
In addition to raising awareness about First Call and substance use disorder as a disease, the evening raises money for the services First Call provides to over 50,000 individuals annually, including substance use disorder assessments, outpatient treatment, recovery support, family services, a crisis call center and community prevention education.