VOLUME 8, ISSUE 10 HOPE - CHOICE - EMPOWERMENT - RECOVERY CULTURE - SPIRITUALITY OCTOBER 2016

October 2016

RI International extends heartfelt THANKS and APPRECIATION to the

organizations that provide class locations, presentations, services and referrals.

Our connections with others, provide opportunities and environments that empower people to recover, to succeed in accomplishing their goals, and to

reconnect with themselves, others and meaning and purpose in life.

Community Connections

Quotes of

Inspiration

“The best way to find yourself is

to lose yourself in the service of

others.” ~Gandhi

“How wonderful it is that nobody

needs to wait a single moment

before starting to improve the

world.” ~Anne Frank

“ I am only one but still I am one.

I cannot do everything but still I

can do something and because I

cannot do everything, I will not

refuse to do something that I can

do.” ~Hellen Keller

Make a Difference Day

On October 22nd, volunteers and

communities across the country

recognize “Make a Difference Day”.

This is a day designed to bring

awareness to the ways that we can

make a difference in our own

communities and each others’ lives.

A lot of times, people think that to

volunteer and truly make a difference

that it is necessary to be part of a

large event. For instance, it may be

that you think of a large walk-a-thon

or the entire community coming

together to drive huge trucks packed

with donations to the survivors from a

devastating hurricane. These efforts

do make a huge difference but any

act can make a difference!

Ways you can make a difference

include:

♡ Donating a handmade hat or

clothes to the homeless

♡ Donating a crochet or knitted lap

blanket to the cancer center

♡ Organize a coat drive. You can

start with just one coat and go

from there!

♡ Volunteer at a soup kitchen

♡ Offer your time at a local school

or community center

Giving back to our community by

volunteering or becoming involved

can have a major effect on our own

well-being. Not only does it help us

feel connected to our community in a

way that can be very important to us

but it also gives an opportunity to

help someone else. The action may

take little of our time but can be life

changing in someone else’s life.

After all, some of our hardest

challenges can be easier to

overcome with the knowledge that

someone else cares and is there to

support us. Volunteering can give

that support to others and “Make a

Difference”.

For details on Wellness classes, Peer

Support and possible Resource

Connections, call RI International at

1-866-481-5361

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Wellness City VoiceWellness City VoiceWellness City Voice OCTOBER 2016

My Journey of Recovery

Vera McLean, CPSS

I have searched my whole life to find my purpose and I can

honestly say I have found it. I am a Certified Peer Support

Specialist at Wellness City in Greenville, NC. I have tried

many different things to fill a void that I thought I needed to

fill. I started believing that the right person, place or thing

would fix me. It did work for only a short period and resulted

in many heartaches and let downs. My mistakes I made

along the way would be my excuses in the end. I realized

that I truly had to do something different. I found myself in a place of loneliness

and despair and no one to turn to for help. I had to humble myself and accept the

consequences of all my misjudgments and wrongs that I did to find the strength and

hope to move forward. I had to finally ask for help. I got involved with Alcoholic

Anonymous and realized that I was right where I needed to be. I was introduced to

a group of ladies that showed me the meaning of unconditional love. I started

working the steps and truly got to know the real Vera. I started to feel different and

see life in a whole new perspective.

I started helping other women and giving back what was so freely given to me. I

was happy, joyous and free and was content with myself. I knew without any doubt

that my purpose was to help others help themselves. I enrolled at Pitt Community

College in the Human Service Program. I had always struggled in school with a

learning disability but I was willing to work hard and succeed. I wasn’t going to

allow my disability to hold me back any longer. There is where I met a lady that

worked as a Peer Support Specialist. She took the time to explain to me what peer

support was all about. I thought to actually do what I enjoy and get paid is too

good to be true. I applied for the job and I got it. I am able to share my

experience, strength and hope and in return the rewards are endless. I work with a

group of individuals that doesn’t judge me from my past and accepts me for who I

am. I get up and look forward to coming to work. My life today still has its

struggles but I have a wellness tool box that can get me through anything. I am no

longer a victim to my addiction or my disability. I am a winner!!!

Wellness City Greenville

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Community Building Team

Carolyn’s Journey

Hi. My name is Carolyn and I am in Recovery for Mental Health

Challenges. I was diagnosed early in my childhood with Mild MR.

When my mom died in 2002, I went into depression. I lived with

my dad until he got sick in 2008. I had a brother that lived in an

assisted living facility due to his disability. I ended up leaving the

assisted living facility to be with my boyfriend who was homeless.

We lived out in the woods and abandoned buildings for about

three months. There was a lady I met who helped me get into

another assisted living facility. After two years of living there,

they closed that facility. I moved to New Bern to Riverstone

Assisted Living and that is when I met Magda from Trillium Health

Resources who was there to put services into place and that is

when I met Kristye, my Peer Recovery Coach from RI

International.

That is when my life began to change. Magda and Kristye helped me through the DOJ program to

find a place to live of my own choice. My boyfriend was in the program as well. We found an

apartment and have been living on our own now for about four months with the help of Peer Support,

Transition Management and a mentor that I just recently got services for. I have learned so many

things from all of my supports and I am doing well and really grateful to have a home that I can call

my own. I am also thankful that all of my supports are still in my life and helping me to grow and

stay strong in my recovery.

Hi, My name is Kristye and I am Carolyn’s Peer Recovery Coach who is also in recovery for

substance use and mental health challenges. I have been working with Carolyn now for

about eight months. Carolyn has really come a long ways since the day I met her. Car-

olyn and I have been working on her WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) as well as

learning how to live independently. Carolyn has been doing really well. She has such a willingness

to learn and wants to better her life as well as her own recovery. It has been an honor and a pleas-

ure to work with her and I look forward to continuing to support and assist her in all of her goals in

her life.

~Kristye Holt, Peer Recovery Coach

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We just finished an amazing series of classes at Durham Wellness City titled The Rope of Hope. In this class

we talked about our hopes and dreams and how important it is for us to hold the hope for ourselves and for

each other. The facilitator brought a length of rope to class and everyone held onto the rope and we talked

about how we are all connected here at Wellness City and the importance of us holding the hope for each

other. We shared how sometimes it can be hard to hold the hope for ourselves and that that is when it is

especially important to have a community of supporters who can hold the hope for me until I am able to

hope again for myself.

Then we hung the rope all around the classroom and everyone wrote their name on a clothespin and hung

them on the rope to represent our ongoing connection with each other. The next week we brainstormed our

hopes and dreams and wrote them on colorful cards and hung them on the Rope of Hope. That way, every

time we sat in that classroom we were reminded to focus on our own hopes and dreams and also to support

each other’s hopes. Everyone was so excited about this class and laughter could be heard coming out of the

classroom each week during this class.

This is what the participants had to say about The Rope of Hope:

“There’s the feeling of optimism that if I just ‘hold’ on, change will come.” -AP

“The Rope of Hope helped me re-identify my strengths and future goals.” -TM

“It saved me drowning in a sea of depression…It helped me to focus and appreciate myself. “ -LW

“It gave me a lot of hope to have the love that the staff has for

me.” -KB

“It gave me a chance to have more faith in my hopes and

dreams.” -R

“It gave me hope to face my mother’s death.” -RM

“It gave me determination to love myself and others.” -PC

“It gave me hope and determination, for myself and others.” -AK

“It gave me perseverance to live independently in my own home.”

-RW

“Helped me form positive metaphors to think about or focus on

when life seems overwhelming.” -MK

“It gave me a reason not to give up…you can have hope, not only for yourself but for someone else.” -AM

“It opened up my spirit and my mind to see things in a different way.” -RF

“It helped block out negative voices that lead you the wrong way.” -AF

“I learned how to work together and pray for one another and try not to be negative and stay positive and love myself

because its powerful.” -SW

“It has put a smile on my face.” -GH

“It helped me connect with my peers, cheering each other on and truly affirming each other. When I first attended this

class, my hope was a bit shattered, as the weeks progressed I not only have hope for me, I hold hope for others as well.”

-AS

Durham Wellness City

OCTOBER 2016

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OCTOBER 2016

Autumn, the time of the year between the September equinox and the winter solstice, has in many ways been

a time of either joy or sorrow. To many that look forward to the season, they are excited to see the changing

of the leaves from a season of green to one that brings hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. They love

the thought that everything they ingest is flavored like caramel apples and pumpkin spice. Anticipation for

many appears in the donning of sweaters and coats as they discuss the upcoming holidays and all the meals

that they look forward to sharing with their loved ones.

Sadly, about the same amount of people that love the season, there is its inverse- those that despise the

season. To them, it is a sad reminder that the possibilities of summer are over and done with, summer trips

and lazy days are at an end as the harsh breath of winter peaks over the horizon. Not to mention a lack in

daylight to get some activities done as the sky betrays them in shades of grey. To these folks, this is a time

that they withdraw both physically and mentally in the hopes that this season and the next will end sooner

rather than later.

But for these individuals that refuse to let go of their summer memories, there is a

shred of hope and its name is APPLES. Yep, apples, those things you wish you ate

more of as you’re walking in for your annual dentist appointment. Apple blossoms

develop in the spring and all the while the fruit absorbs all the summer heat and

sunlight until around October when they’re ripe for picking.

One of the best ways to truly enjoy these cancer warding fruits is to coat the whole thing in candy- because

nothing says “I love you” like changing every aspect of something. The following is an easy to follow recipe to

enjoy this autumn season even if this isn’t your favorite season of the year!

Apples

1/2 cup (120mL) light corn syrup

2 cup (480 mL) sugar

3/4cup (180 mL) water

Combine all of these in a pot on medium heat and wait till they all blend. Then dip in the apples-

which you’ve already attached to a stick of some kind.

Toppings- Anything can honestly work for this. Many people add chocolate chips, their old Halloween

candy, or sprinkles. If you’re not about that life leave it plain with just the candy coat. For a healthy

and summery taste try it with cocoanut shreds and macadamia nuts.

Apples: Autumn Treasure

Come and join Wellness City of New Bern as we

have our second annual costume party! Event

starts at Noon on October 31st. Food and fun will

be provided! So bring your A game and help us

scare up some fun!

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Wellness City VoiceWellness City VoiceWellness City Voice OCTOBER 2016

Mental Health Challenges:

Overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety Disorder that affects 2-3% of

the world’s population with varying forms and scales from mild to severe.

As so often is the case with mental health challenges OCD is subject to

stereotyping and misinformation. My wife wishes my OCD tendencies would come

in the form of obsessive cleaning, but unlike Monica from Friends, I’m not the

best dishwasher or housekeeper.

My particular form of OCD manifests itself in pure obsessions and mental ruminations, also

known in the OCD community as ‘Pure O’. During stressful periods these obsessions turn to

disturbing and unwanted thoughts of harm and catastrophe.

Through education, self-advocacy, cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) diet and exercise, I

have reached a stage in life where I control the disorder and the disorder doesn’t control me.

Considering stress is a trigger for my onset of symptoms, I’ve not allowed this to hold me

back in achieving my goals and dreams. Instead of hiding from the world and taking it easy I

decided leave my native land in the British Isles in search of adventure and experience.

Since my diagnosis at the age of sixteen I have gone on to travel the world, attend university

to gain my degree, discussed healthcare with presidential candidates, and I have recently

moved to the beautiful coast of North Carolina with my wife and pirate seeking young son

(Argh ye, land lover!)

I believe all of us have the capability to overcome barriers and challenges in our lives,

whether that comes from a mental health perspective, substance abuse, trauma or all of the

above. Once we find that courage, determination and drive the possibilities are limitless.

~Callum Wilkinson, Outreach Coordinator

Serving Brunswick, New Hanover & Pender Counties

Outreach

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Wellness City Wilmington

Wellness City Wilmington

Class of 2016

PET Valuable to the Individual , your PEERS and the Community !

We recognize the value of employing those with lived experience, and how having the presence of those

individuals on our team supports those in recovery. We have come to understand, that as we continue

to learn about our own recovery the better we are able to serve others in their journey to recovery. We

like to say, We’re actually living our lives, while being in recovery as living proof that recovery is

possible. This inspires others and helps them see their own potential to recover and have their own

hopes and dreams come true. Given this information we Provide the PET (Peer Employment Training)

classes. This is an intense two week program which focuses on recovery language, principles and

engages in role-play scenarios. This better prepares our peers for their next steps.

We added the word “employment” because this identifies a key ingredient to achieve a most desired

outcome. “Employment” Without this goal, students would still just be in a recovery phase. We want

individuals to know that there is a way to use their own recovery in a positive way, and that through

employment or even volunteering , they will gain a valued social role.

“Do not think too hard. You will create a problem

that didn’t exit in the first place.” ~ Unknown as

quoted by Josh Torbich

“It’s never the problem that's the problem, it’s

how one sees the problem”

~ Unknown as quoted by Callum Wilkinson

“It’s never to late to be who you want to be.”

~ Elizabeth Crandall

Our Mission

Empowering people to recover, succeed in accomplishing

their goals, find meaning and purpose in life, and reconnect

with themselves and others.

Our Vision

Activating the next generation of frame-breaking healthcare

innovation to support people beyond their behavioral health

needs and succeed in the community where they live, work,

and play.

RI International

Is a nonprofit organization offering recovery-based services in Arizona, California, Delaware, North Carolina, Texas, Washington state and New

Zealand.

www.riinternational.com

RI International has earned the

Joint Commission’s

Gold Seal of Approval™

Find our Wellness City Voice Newsletters, as well as our monthly class Calendars online at

https://riinternational.com/our-services/north-carolina/north-carolina-news-events/

OCTOBER 2016

Wellness City VoiceWellness City VoiceWellness City Voice

North Carolina Programs

Recovery Response Center Henderson Durham

300 Parkview Dr., Henderson 309 Crutchfield St., Durham

Phone: 252-438-4145 Phone: 919-560-7305

Janeen Gordon, RSA II Joy Brunson-Nsubuga, RSA II

Wellness Cities

RI Outreach Ashley Viverette, RSA Phone: 252-214-8555

Greenville Office: 252-321-0179 Wilmington Office: 910-399-3149

Outreach Coordinators

Community Building Team Kimberly Talbot, Recovery Services Administrator

Phone: 252-723-6616

Callum Wilkinson

Phone: 252-702-7428

Brunswick, New Hanover & Pender

Eric Myers

Phone# 252-340-5768

Carteret, Onslow & Pender

Susan Hall

Phone: 252-876-3645

Beaufort, Bertie, Gates, Hertford,

Northampton & Washington

Dave Edmonds

Phone: 252-886-1104

Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde,

Pasquotank, Perquimans & Tyrrell

Devarus Smith

Phone: 252-375-0316

Craven, Jones, Martin, Pamlico & Pitt

Durham Wellness City

401 E. Lakewood Ave, Ste E1-A, Durham

Phone: 919-687-4041

Kim Chansen, RSA 919-702-3314

Greenville Wellness City

2407 S. Memorial Dr., Greenville

Phone# 252-321-0179

Ashley Viverette, RSA 252-214-8555

New Bern Wellness City

1311 Health Dr., New Bern

Phone: 252-672-8781

Joe Villarreal, RSA 252-670-3614

Wilmington Wellness City

20 N. 4th St. Suite 420, Wilmington

Phone: 910-399-3149

Kris Ludacer, RSA 252-702-7402