Stepping Stone announced Monday that openly gay comedian and “Will & Grace” television star Leslie Jordan will act as the recovery organization’s official spokesperson.

Jordan, outspoken about his own struggle with drugs and alcohol, garnered rave reviews for his performance at last year’s Living Out Loud fund-raiser, which grossed a record $152,000 for the organization.

As the national spokesperson, Jordan will appear in San Diego to open future Living Out Loud fund-raisers and speak on behalf of Stepping Stone, here in San Diego and nationally.

“Initially, [Jordan] was just going to act as a spokesperson for our [Living Out Loud] fund-raiser,” said Stepping Stone board member Jim Ginelli, “but then he decided that he had such a good time here in San Diego, and with the event itself, that he would like to be our spokesperson for the overall agency.”

“I am sober myself eight years, and very involved in the recovery community, especially crystal meth addiction,” Jordan said. “And because of my little bit of success, especially with ‘Will & Grace,’ I am asked to do a lot of events, and I sort of pick and choose…. There’s just certain organizations that I really, really feel are worthy of my time and my effort, and I believe so strongly in [Stepping Stone’s] mission statement … I met everybody involved, and they came to me and said, ‘Would you like to be a sort of like a spokesperson?’ and I was so honored. I thought, ‘Wow, what a way wonderful way to be able to give back….’”

Lorna Luft has been confirmed for this year’s Living Out Loud fund-raiser, which takes place June 23-24 at the North Park Theatre. Luft, daughter of famed actress Judy Garland, will perform Songs My Mother Taught Me: A Celebration of the Music of Judy Garland.

Stepping Stone welcomed Jordan’s new role. The financially-strapped nonprofit has been dealing with a series of internal conflicts, including an out-of-court settlement to former employee Eric Martin for a sexual harassment claim made against the director of operations, Marc D’Hondt. A second settlement was paid for an employee injury claim.

Stepping Stone operates a 28-bed, long-term residential recovery facility and a day recovery program. They also provide sober living opportunities, as well as homeless outreach, referrals, education, prevention and social support programs.

To find out more about Stepping Stone or the June Living Out Loud fund-raiser, call (619) 295-3995.