Of course, one of the biggest non-profits is the American Red Cross, and the Triangle Region is comprised of five chapters and serves a population of more than 2 million people. This organization provides lifesaving services and disaster relief 24/7 to anyone in need. These services include helping people prepare for, prevent, and respond to emergencies by providing knowledge and support. Check out the Triangle chapter at www.redcross.org/local/north-carolina/eastern-north-carolina.html 

Another amazing non-profit organization in North Carolina is the Special Olympics North Carolina. This organization provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  With roughly 40,000 registered athletes, the SONC is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world. The 2015 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games were held in Raleigh and Cary on May 29 – 31. This organization is truly remarkable and more information can be found on their website, www.sonc.net. 

Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc is located at 903 Method Road and its mission is to help homeless families get back on their feet by providing shelter, meals and support. The North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre located at 7713-511 Leadmine Road is a teaching community theatre for both children and adults. Inter-faith Food Shuttle located at 1001 Blair Drive mission is to end hunger in the community by providing job training, nutrition education and food distribution. Advance Community Health located at 1001 Rock Quarry Road primary care services to uninsured and medically-underserved patients.

These are just a few of the many of selfless and inspirational organizations working to make a difference within the world. I encourage everyone to find a cause you are passionate about and team up to make change within your community! After all, it is non-profit organizations that are truly working towards a better tomorrow!

We need someone to help and that someone can be found at Black Diamond Financial Group. They facilitate a workshop entitled “Finance & Taxes – Keys to a Prosperous Life” where individuals and groups are taught the ‘ins and outs’ of taxes and finance. This is a very informative Wake County Schools Evening Course on Taxes, Investments, and Insurance! In addition to ensuring that we are fully prepared to take our finances, Black Diamond Financial Group offers consulting services for small businesses to help their financial growth. They have conducted consultations with local businesses such as Big Al’s Barbecue and Catering and Emerald Home Care.

The Black Diamond Financial Group began in 2015 out of founder Jason Amen Hetep’s need to find a better way to care for and serve clients when and where they most want it: through tax and insurance education. While there are many financial groups out there, the Black Diamond Financial Group is set apart in their commitment to their clients and their advocacy for them.

You know a company is worth it when their fondest memories are not in the amount of money they have made but the feeling they receive when bringing a smile to a client’s face through money-saving financial solutions to their problems. In fact, don’t take my word for how great the company is, simply read these testimonials from satisfied customers: 

“I thank [Black Diamond Financial] so much for helping me…I feel so good about everything.”

F. Turner

“I thank [Black Diamond Financial] so much for helping me understand everything and putting me in a better situation…where I want to be.”

M. Powell

“I sure do appreciate everything [Black Diamond Financial] has done to help me.”

D. McCloud

Mr. Amen Hetep’s goal for the company is to expand this level of service to at least 500,000 people all across the country. He hopes to offer “caring professionalism” to everyone, beginning with the Triangle area, an area close to his heart as he is an integral part of the community and where he has raised his family. He also actively participates in community activities like the American Red Cross and Boys Club of Raleigh. You can catch Mr. Amen Hetep and his Black Diamond Financial Group at one of the monthly workshops/seminars they offer on the new 2020 state regulated benefits and discounts available for community members. 

Of course, the need for insurance and knowledge on taxes has become a bigger worry for many with the fear that the Coronavirus pandemic has caused. This interruption in our daily lives has brought certain concerns to the front of our mind, like planning for the unexpected and ensuring that our future is taken care of. That is why it is good to know that the Black Diamond Financial Group is 100% committed to caring for you in your time of need and providing a service that will better your situation now and for the long run. 

If you need financial help with investments, insurance, budgeting, and wealth building or want to make sure you don’t miss out on a single tax credit to which you are entitled then don’t hesitate to contact the Black Diamond Financial Group. With them, you can become an effective tax preparer for yourself and others while building security as a financial advisor. Also, Mr. Amen Hetep sponsors individuals for free benefit discount cards that provide up to 65% discounts on prescriptions, dental, vision, and hearing, regardless of income or coverage status. This is one of the many ways that he and his organization are looking to improve the wealth and knowledge of everyone in the community. 

There are also consulting services offered through the Black Diamond Financial Group. Mr. Amen Hetep has previously conducted project management consultations with small businesses. Within these consultations, Mr. Amen Hetep offers advice on how to help a small business plan and execute strategic financial growth. To see the fruit of this labor, simply look to Big Al’s Barbecue and Catering or Emerald Home Care, both previous clients that sought out financial help. 

For more information or to begin the steps to a better and wealthier you, you can reach the Black Diamond Financial Group below. With the current state of things, Mr. Amen Hetep is also looking into new methods of communication like social media to help get you where you need to be. 

919.522.6821

https://blackdiamond3000.wordpress.com

The 29^th Annual WRAL First Night Raleigh is taking place on Tuesday December 31^stand will encompass over twenty blocks throughout downtown. This celebration will have something for everyone with children’s activities during the day, and music and entertainment throughout the evening hours leading up to the new year. 

The festivities begin with the Daytime Children’s Celebration from 2:00 to 6:00PM with hands-on workshops and performances from rising stars within the Triangle. The performances and activities run through Bicentennial Plaza, inside the North Carolina Museum of History and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Activities and workshops for children include Free Spirited Artistry face painting, Bingo, DIY henna, firework wands, resolution frames, New Year’s castle construction, New Year’s hats, stained glass art, origami stars, and midnight murals. Plus, children 5 years old and under are allowed in for free when accompanied by a pass-wearing adult! 

Once the daytime activities and entertainment for the children begins to die-down, it is time for the People’s Procession and the Early Countdown. This is a perfect way to ensure that children, and parents, get to enjoy the fun of ringing in the New Year without dealing with tired children the next day. At 6:00PM, children can join Barefoot Movement for a wonderful performance as the famous acorn is dropped and fireworks are set off at 7:00PM. 

For those without children, or those slightly older children, the First Night does not disappoint with things to do. There are over 20 blocks of art, music, comedy, theater, and more in multiple venues throughout the Downtown Raleigh area. Throughout the evening you can enjoy the view from the Fantastical First Night Ferris Wheel or scream your heart out on the Alien Abduction gravitron. Spend the night strolling through the Astro Botanicals Garden of Light or be enthralled at Maximum Magic. From sleigh rides to ballroom lessons, the night is jam-packed with events that’ll have everyone ringing in the New Year with a smile. 

As the night draws to a close, you can begin the countdown to midnight with some local media celebrities and stellar performances by Illiterate Light and Caleb Johnson & The Ramblin Saints. All of this leads up to the acorn drop and a spectacle of fireworks at midnight as you say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020. 

If you are feeling in the giving mood as the New Year looms before us, First Night Raleigh could always use volunteers to help with the event. In fact, it takes over 300 dedicated volunteers to get the event going without a hitch. To find out more about volunteering, or the event and all of its sponsors and events, visit https://firstnightraleigh.com

What a better way to bring in the New Year and to say goodbye to the past decade than a town-encompassing party with your community! 

Total Health Global is a one-woman educational company that teaches people about general health and mental illness. Founded in April of 2016 by Alice Munyua, Total Health Global offers educational seminars and health books on clean and healthy eating. Ms. Munyua also offers a holistic approach to physical illness and aims to demystify the many myths that surround mental illness in this country. Through this approach, Total Health Global hopes to change the healthcare industry and have doctors and the healthcare industry place a larger focus on the human individual and less on the disease and symptom management. 

Total Health Global was founded through Alice Munyua’s understanding of the human body and how it works. She found that many people do not understand the basic make-up of the human body and how it works. There is no education on how human beings are spiritual beings and how the mind and body are intrinsically connected. If more people were aware of this then getting and staying healthy would be an easier feat. 

Ms. Munyua was also inspired to get into the health field after getting healthy herself. By simply tweaking her diet and making small changes in her lifestyle, she was able to lose fifty pounds. While she was over the moon to see such results, what was more amazing was how little it took to actually do it. There was no really impact on her lifestyle, she simply mimicked what her grandma did. This revelation encouraged her to want to let the world know how easy it is to get healthy and how beneficial it can be. She was so inspired that she wrote her first book on achieving a healthy lifestyle, “Do Like Grandma Did: A Guide to Clean Healthy Eating”! 

Of course, we live in a world that is saturated with fad diets and programs that claim to help us shed those pounds and live healthier. With so many options, it can be difficult to truly find a program that helps. Luckily, Total Health Global is set apart from other companies, as Alice Munyua understands the connection between mind and body and how that relates to health and wellness. Many of the healthcare providers, doctors, and general population are still unaware to this connection and its importance in living a healthy lifestyle. In fact, even the textbooks throughout schools and libraries still define the brain and the mind interchangeably. However, the mind and the brain are two completely different things. Total Health Global hopes to make people aware of the distinction between the two so we can begin to pinpoint the causes of diseases and mental illness to truly find a cure. 

Total Health Global has big plans in store. In fact, the name of the company itself lets the world know that Alice plans to educate people all over the world about the connection between the mind and body and the role it plays in healthy living. This is being done through community activities and events. Mrs. Munyua loves getting to meet people in community organizations, family gatherings, professional meetings, and in churches. Through these events, she can talk about health and wellness and begin changing people’s ideas about health. 

So, if you would love to learn more about Total Health Global and Alice Munyua’s initiative to change the health of the world or if you would simply like to learn more about health and wellness, then do not hesitate to reach out and plan a meeting. After all, you shouldn’t wait until you are sick to seek out information on health and wellness. 

Make sure to visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alicemunyua2019/

 A fairly new company, Progress Promoter has been working since late 2015 to “inspire, ignite, and inform women to be the bold and better versions of themselves through a sense of community!” This is achieved through a variety of ways including speaking engagements, workshops, and written works like books and webinars that participants can purchase. All of this works to empower women and enable them to recognize the potential they have as “difference makers”. In turn, this creates a community of women using their power and potential to help other women and build on that foundation. This helps to build a future where women are empowered to not only better their own lives but work to better the lives of all women in the country. 

This mission began when Phyllis Williams was a timid and unsure thirty-year-old woman. Looking to change that, she joined an organization (Toastmasters) that helped her to blossom and realize her great potential. It was a coach within the organization that encouraged Williams to realize that there was so much purpose and potential within her, waiting to be used for good in the world. Noticing that Williams enjoyed writing, her coach, Billie, suggested she write a book. While working towards this goal, Williams found herself being asked to engage in speaking events. This led to Williams finding a new path as an entrepreneur!

Soon, Williams was inspired to create Progress Promoter after realizing that there were countless women who have experienced the same hardships as her. From a feeling of not belonging to general heartaches, Williams knew she had to work to change this so that no women had to go through that! 

One of the ways that this is achieved is through Williams’ workshops. These workshops, known as “Authenticity and Authority”, are conducted in living rooms as well as larger community centers. These two-hour events address many of the issues that women face using written work, performances, and artistic activities. These workshops are ideal for coworkers, sorority sisters, former classmates, and church members. Basically, all women are encouraged to attend and unlock their full potential as “difference makers”. 

Something that Williams hopes to change through Progress Promoter is the role women are given in entertainment. Williams wants the world to know that women are “difference makers”, supporters, and the backbone for families and communities alike. It is time that society embraces women for all they are! 

Williams also offers her time as a volunteer and gives donations throughout the year to help bolster women in the community. Her Facebook group, The Progressive Tribe, encourages others to contribute to society, especially in helping fight social injustice for marginalized people. 

So, if you can see the change happening in our society and want to empower, not only yourself, but also the lives of the women around you, then contact Progress Promoter and take that first step towards a better you! Visit https://www.progresspromoter.com.

“We should excel, not just exist!”

-Phyllis Williams

RTMWC’s mission is to reach all cultures and people around the world to touch the lives of those who think they are alone in the struggle with Alzheimer’s. Through music and laughter, the organization wants to help heal the hearts and souls of those affected by the disease all over the globe. They also hope to share as much information about the disease with as many as possible as there is not enough information being circulated in the world.

RTMWC realizes that our seniors need us, and we need to take the time from our busy lives to check on those aging relatives, neighbors, and friends around us and know what signs to look for. Therefore, the organization provides outlets for families to get the proper education as it relates to Alzheimer’s. They then link families with the appropriate organization that suits their needs from counselors to doctors to transportation services. It is important for everyone to understand that even though an Alzheimer’s attack has occurred to a family member or friend, they can still laugh, love, and have a perfect peace of mind.

A fairly new endeavor, RTMWC began with Ms. Clara singing and reaching out under the name of Unlimited Praise and Worship. Through Ms. Clara’s singing, the organization grew, and the name changed to Clara Pulley and Friends. Finally, Reviving the Mind with Clara came to be upon realizing the power of the voice and purpose added to the strength of the song and could help strengthen those dealing with Alzheimer’s directly and indirectly.

What sets the company apart from other organizations doing similar work is that RTMWC doesn’t just focus on treating the survivors of Alzheimer’s, but they also assist the caregivers. This is done by providing education, resources, and assistance with caring for their loved ones. RTMWC understands that Alzheimer’s doesn’t just impact a single individual but has lasting affects for those who love someone afflicted by the disease.

The organization currently hosts formal benefits, which is the main event of the organization that all other events market and support, that is open to the public. There are also health fairs to bring awareness and support!

As the company is getting up and running they have big plans to be involved with the community. Currently, they are on the lookout for local community events that align and/or complement with the mission and goals of the organization. In the meantime, you can find RTMWC visiting different assistant living facilities where Ms. Clara sings for and also shares the services of the organization.

RTMWC is proud to be an organization that anyone can be a part of. It is important to them that people become inspired to get involved, not only because they have friends or loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but because change is for everyone. Though RTMWC’s primary focus is Alzheimer’s, the organization feels they can apply the same concepts to other mental illnesses. The company is in the community to serve as support and welcome to those directly or indirectly affected by Alzheimer’s, other mental illnesses, and those who love music!

So, if you know someone who has been affected by Alzheimer’s, or simply want to understand more about this disease, reach out to Reviving the Mind with Clara at www.revivingthemind.com and make a difference!

Now more than ever it is important that we begin nurturing the education of our children. In our world, knowledge is power and is vital that we employ our children with all of the knowledge we can. Therefore, we should be starting early in our nurturing of education and the learning process. One of the best places to begin with such nurturing is through the educational book “What Is Blue Blue Blue – What is Blue To You?”. 

Crystal Horton’s new book “What Is Blue Blue Blue – What is Blue To You?” was birthed two years ago and is an adorable and unprecedented tool in teaching young children about color and developing reading skills. Her book helps to build color associations through real-life examples and encourages young readers to explore the colors of the world around them. By simply encouraging young minds to actively seek out the colors of the world, they will also be absorbing the skills they need to be intelligent and successful adults.

Ms. Horton is an expert in associating color with active reading and life skills, as she obtained the knowledge of how children learn over the years and applied it to others. Born in North Carolina as the youngest of fourteen siblings and with two children of her own (plus a grandson), Ms. Horton has a great fondness of children. Add to that her twenty plus years of experience in working with young children and her previous ownership of a licensed five-star Family Child Care Home, and you will find quickly that she is fully able to provide valuable knowledge to others. With an A.A.S Degree in Early Childhood Education and a B.S. Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences/Concentration in Child Development and Family Relations, Ms. Horton is clearly qualified to offer insight into how we can provide our children with the tools necessary for them to thrive in the world.

“What is Blue Blue Blue – What is Blue To You?” helps children to learn colors by intentionally using color words and colors at the same time. By creating the connection between the color words and their colors, children are more likely to retain the information and seek out those associations themselves. The book goes beyond just color learning and helps to initiate creative thinking within young children, as well as promoting creative expression and asking open-ended questions. This book teaches children education fundamentals, while also promoting a parent-child interaction in the learning process that helps to build confidence in children and establish connections. By engaging with your children as they begin the learning process, parents can see how important knowledge is for their child and help nurture a learning environment.

What the book is able to do is take colors, which are the most recognizable attributes of the world around us and utilize them in the learning process. Colors are everywhere, from buildings and plants to clothing and food, color invades a child’s world from the moment they are born. That means that colors are the way that children begin to observe the world and categorize what they see. The use of primary and secondary colors characteristics helps to encourage children to begin defining and categorizing the world. That is what “What Is Blue Blue Blue – What is Blue To You?” does for children in a fun and educational way. 

Currently, Ms. Horton is seeking out partnerships with any organizations or individuals that would love to work together to help make learning a more interactive experience for every child. To become involved and to purchase or learn more about “What Is Blue Blue Blue – What is Blue To You?”, check out https://www.whatisblue15.com.

Although Business Capital Solutions, LLC (BCS) was established in July of 2018, they partner with a well-established organization of lenders that boast a 15-year tenure. BCS has one simple goal in mind: To succeed in building business credit for their clients in order to obtain maximum funding to help them grow and succeed! R. Durelle Chabwera, the founder of BCS, knows he and his staff are the right team for this venture. BCS celebrates 20 years of financial experience in the field. Having owned and operated a Consumer Credit Organization, Real Estate Investment Firm, as well as Mortgage Loan experience for more than two decades, he is definitely qualified to take your business where it needs to be. Having seen the benefits that can be directed into businesses first hand through increased funding, Mr. Chabwera knew that he could help aspiring businesses to reach the potential they desire. He helps in building the business’ structure and credit for a sound foundation, and creditability while securing financing and funding opportunities in as little as 2-4 weeks!

Now, there are plenty of other businesses that offer similar services, but BCS stands out in the crowd. With state-of-the-art Business Suite Software, they are the only business credit organization that provides a cloud-based software system preloaded with financing options for clients. Plus, this software is bilingual with English and Spanish options. BCS also holds the largest supply of Revolving EIN Business Credit Sources (Over 2000). BCS offers Vendor Credit, Fleet Credit, Business Credit Cards, Collateral Financing, Accounts Payable Loans, SBA Loans, Unsecured Credit Lines, Commercial Vehicle Financing and more for your business without a personal guarantee or the use of your SSN. This organization also provides Collateral, Cash Flow, & Unsecured Lenders to help you secure the most money at the best rates and terms. In addition to all of these exciting features, the program includes a Business Advisor for one full year and a Financial Loan Officer for an unmatched “five years”! That’s right, you will have your own financial advisor seeking funding for your business for 5 full years. Best of all, the Proprietary Business Suite Software is yours for life. Their promise is to acquire up to $50,000.00 in business credit in the first 6 months and up to $100,000.00 within the first year for their business clientele. This process works extremely well for New Business Startups as well as Seasoned Existing Businesses.

Of course, BCS has some great goals already in place to help out businesses in the Raleigh/Durham community. To start, the organization hopes to develop an excellent relationship with the Triangle Community by providing excellent funding and credit options for local businesses on a medium and large scale; from a new boutique on Main to a large corporation downtown as well, BCS has you covered. Though this is a fresh business enterprise, their goal is to help at least 100 local businesses within the first 3-5 years! They also hope to build on the company’s name recognition within the community through community projects such as offering free or deeply discounted services for new and existing companies at least twice a year. It doesn’t stop there, BCS will also take advantage of social media by increasing web traffic to the corporate website as well as their social media sites. Clearly, BCS is in it for the long haul. 

So, do yourself and your business a favor, retain this unique entity for your Business Capital Solutions, and for all of your business credit and financing needs. Think about this, where would your business finances be today if you had signed up 6 months ago? Take advantage of this opportunity to grow your business and succeed!

CONTACT US TODAY!

877-821-1020 

info@bcsolutionsonline.com

bcsolutionsonline.com

8601 Six Forks Rd. 

Raleigh, NC 27615

“We are your Business Credit Builder, the Solution to your business Growth, Credibility, & Funding.”  Business Capital Solutions, LLC (2018).

The Recovery Communities of North Carolina (RCNC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes addiction recovery, wellness, and citizenship through advocacy, education, and support.

This wonderful organization began as most things do, with an idea. In the summer of 2012, individuals in recovery, along with their families, friends, and supporters, noticed a need to host an event to raise awareness for addiction amid September’s “National Recovery Month”. From this, the 1st Annual Capital Area Rally for Recovery was born.

From the success of that first rally, the group began preparing for the second, but there was an opportunity to do so much more. Therefore, those individuals decided that a nonprofit recovery community organization should be established. This organization would sponsor the annual rally for recovery and support other recovery advocacy efforts. Thus, by the spring of 2013, the Recovery Communities of North Carolina was formed. The RCNC quickly joined the national recovery advocacy movement by becoming a member of Faces and Voices of Recovery’s Association of Recovery Community Organizations.

The RCNC aims to promote a culture that supports addiction recovery for, not only the individuals that struggle, but also the families and communities that are indirectly impacted. The organization wants to make sure that those North Carolinians seeking addiction recovery are given access to the highest quality of care, services, and support. They want to eliminate the stigma surrounding addiction and let people know that those suffering are equal and valued members of the community.

Recovery Communities of North Carolina helps those struggling with addiction through wonderful programs. These programs work to help those in need overcome their addictions and find their place within the community. These programs include NC Access to Recovery (NCATR), which is a voucher program that extends the current array of services and availability of providers in the state by providing treatment and recovery support services through the use of grant funds, so participants can choose their services and providers freely and independently. There is also the Family and Ally Support Group, a non-clinical, non-12 step, mutual aid group driven and run by local family members impacted by substance use disorder that meet on Tuesdays and the Workforce Development and Entrepreneurial Program where participants learn through skill development experiential activities how to prepare for the workforce. All of these programs are wonderful tools and resources in ensuring that addiction doesn’t stop anyone from living the life they were meant to.

With two-thirds of Americans with friends or family members struggling with alcohol or other substance problems, it is likely that you have dealt with this issue first hand and are itching to help RCNC make a difference. While volunteering is a great option, the best way to make a difference is through a donation. Addiction treatment is just a single step on the path to recovery and that path is made all the more difficult when money issues are added in. People in recovery still need to hold down jobs, pay taxes, raise families, and contribute to their community. Any donation you can contribute will go a long way in helping RCNC get people better. These donations contribute to recovery support services like the Recovery Community Center, Volunteer opportunities, Recovery support groups, The Capital Area Rally for Recovery, Recovery Coaching, and Family support.

It is a sad fact that only about 10% of people needing addiction treatment actually get the help they need and most of the time that treatment is too brief. More than ever, these people need the help of their community and the support of organizations like RCNC! Please, take the time to look into RCNC and help make a difference today!

Learn more about Recovery Communities of North Carolina and the wonderful change they are making in the community and consider donating at http://www.rcnc.org

“If you have found recovery, consider giving the community your story as an instrument of hope and healing. If you have been blessed by resources that helped you find and sustain recovery, then join the fight to expand resources for those still suffering.” – William L. White

RCNC provides support in the form of serving as a statewide repository for training, education, technical support, outreach, and advocacy for those suffering with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or co-occurring conditions. RCNC works closely with the community and is comprised of two specific areas or “arms”. The first offers service provision statewide in the form of training, technical assistance, recovery community center oversight and guidance, including organizational development, community assessments, and educational opportunities to providers of services to those with substance use disorders and their families.  The other arm is their recovery community center where they provide direct services for anyone needing recovery support. 

RCNC’s Recovery Community Center provides programs and services that address gaps in the quality of life for those seeking sustained recovery. This can include offering recovery coaching, care coordination, recovery plan development, treatment referrals, psychiatric advance directives, recovery circles, family groups, and sober community activities. These are all designed so recovering individuals can gain confidence on their journey of recovery, build affinity with others in their smile and project that into the interviews and goals they try to obtain. Or it could be helping individuals who have been convicted in the past of non-violent felonies gain employment and workforce development through programs.

What makes RCNC work you may wonder. It is simple; RCNC’s leadership and staff create success stories for those struggling with substance use disorder. Dr. Rita Anita Linger, PhD, CPC, CMBP, is driven by her passion to provide solutions to individuals dealing with substance use disorder. Substance use disorder has impacted her personally and she understands well the impact of addiction. She is a mother who has lost two children to a substance use disorder (one to an opioid overdose), as well as two nephews and her younger sister and others in her family experiencing long term recovery. However, her passion is not isolated to just her family but to all mankind. Dr. Linger has decades of experience providing leadership and designing and implementing holistic initiatives, in which marginalized and vulnerable populations are provided access to programs and services that empower them with a strong sense of hopefulness, confidence and skills, where they can begin building a quality life for themselves with support. Like any great warrior you are always moving to defend or assist those who are in need of help. This philosophy can be seen in Dr. Linger’s past. She is an award-winning community/public health and wellness professional. She has worked for over three decades to improve the quality of care for both community members seeking improved health outcomes and those who work with them. For most of Dr. Linger’s career she has led organizations both in the non-profit and for-profit worlds with her expertise in assessing community/public health and organizational needs, and moving forward to create solutions for seemingly intractable conditions is noteworthy. Her name and picture sits on a quilt next to Dorothy Cotton (Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Aide and Confidante), in the DeWitt Historical Museum in New York State Museum (NYS) for her leadership in Social Justice and Community Health Advocacy work. She works daily in service of increasing understanding and support for the recovery movement including but not limited to substance use disorder and brain function, stigma reduction and the importance of language, genetic predisposition to substance use disorder as well as the power of epi-genetics. Dr. Linger is a recovery ally and has dedicated her life to helping to transform the image of how people see themselves so that they can move forward toward sustained recovery.

According to Dr. Rita Anita Linger, one of the reasons behind RCNC’s success is because they have their “finger on the pulse” of the needs of those who suffer from substance use disorder, those in early recovery, their families, and those who provide services for them. Dr. Linger believes that RCNC is able to achieve great success with their programs because the team at RCNC are very good at listening, and working with participants and providers in problem solving, and creating partnership solutions in a very innovative way, responding in meaningful ways to the very fluid environment of substance use disorder and recovery. Their programs and services are an outgrowth of community need and desires for change and movement. Dr. Linger is just one example at RCNC of the passion and empathy that resonates from every individual within the organization.  She provides her staff (which she called “the team”), with high accolades for their diligence, tenacity and passion to serve those who come through their doors every day.

What makes RCNC relatable and relevant? It has all the ingredients for success. Dr. Linger has a proven track record of providing much needed services to the citizens of North Carolina for 12 years. In addition, she has worked with people with SUDs for two decades and is personally familiar with the struggles people who suffer with addiction have from her personal experience of losing children and other family members to addiction, as well as helping other family members and loved ones move toward long term recovery. These experiences have fostered her passion about the mission of RCNC and her personal mission to help others. 

RCNC uses a multiple pathway approach when it comes to tailoring recovery programs for individuals. They believe that there isn’t a singular pathway for everyone to take on the road to recovery; what works for one may not work for another. For instance, anonymity has always been a factor when it comes to recovery. For many, confidentiality is important to them and they do not wish to disclose their substance use disorder or their recovery journey with those outside of their self-help group, so they attend anonymous groups or participate in phone services to find support guidance. While that may work for some, the idea of self-identifying has been gaining traction in the recovery movement and seems to be working well for many with substance use disorders. By self-identifying, individuals can begin transforming how they see themselves as recovering persons with a substance use disorder.

Individuals like Terri Conyers, the Statewide Manager of Community Relations, has been with RCNC since the beginning providing new resources and services to those RCNC serves as well as introducing organizations and individuals to RCNC and its rich and diverse programming. In regards to recovery, Terri herself is a success story being in sustained recovery for over 11 years. Terri shared, “To have the opportunity to engage with these individuals and to get to see them flourish, then rejoin society and make a difference in their community, is what we do and love doing.” Troy Manns, the Statewide Manager of Advocacy and Education has more than 17 years of experience of working with galvanized people and systems towards supporting long term recovery initiatives. He explains his mission as being an advocate for others. Troy himself has been in sustained recovery for almost two decades. Troy stated, “We are opening the box and inviting those who are in it to feel comfortable enough to come out, understand that they too have an opportunity and right to experience life in recovery and know there are people available to help them see that expectation become a reality”.

Another key RCNC team member includes Karen Kranbuehl, Chair of the Board of Directors. Karen stated that in the past it has been difficult for community members to find recovery supports that are a good fit for them. RCNC is committed to supporting multiple options in recovery. This makes it much easier for everyone to develop a personalized and multi-faceted recovery that can grow and change over their lifetimes. For example, RCNC offers people opportunities to incorporate things like meditation and nutrition in their recovery.  In terms of person-to-person support, until recently, it has appeared that Twelve Step support groups were the primary paths to recovery. RCNC can open up a whole world of person-to-person supports for an individual. For example, RCNC trains Recovery Coaches and Peer Support Specialists who can offer a completely different kind of person-to-person recovery support.

In addition to being the Chair of the Board of Directors, Karen contributes to RCNC’s efforts, by being a social justice advocate and serving on committees that actually drives change whether it is peer support definition committee, serving as the Chair for the State’s Substance Use Federation. Karen has also provided some no-cost trainings to RCNC participants in various settings through her company, SAY IT Solutions. SAY IT develops and delivers trainings that build individuals’ capacity for maintaining wellness by activating self-determination and self-advocacy. 

Board member, Eric Morse, M.D., who is an Addiction and Sports Psychiatrist and medical director for 3 opioid treatment programs, works tireless to change the stigma associated with substance use disorder not only with the public but also within the medical community.  “It’s hard to deal with substance use disorder on your own. It is a lonely disease. Having family, having friends and having a community network is so important. Having mentors and getting access to those people can be a challenge because not everyone advertises they are in recovery. Getting the help that folks need and what it takes to sustain recovery is key”, expressed Dr. Morse.

The quote, “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” is a formula for empathy. RCNC consist of staff members who are either in long-term recovery from substance use disorder or are close family members of those who have suffered in the throes of addiction. This empathetic attitude is just one of the many ways that the team at RCNC is making a difference when it comes to recovery and substance use disorder. They understand the stigma around the disease and want to advocate for those dealing with SUDs and those who do not always have a voice in the community as it relates to addiction. The team at RCNC are not afraid to look at very difficult or uncomfortable circumstances and situations and begin asking the questions that need to be asked. In partnership with the participant, they take a look at these issues and begin opening the door of exploration with them, instead of turning a blind eye. 

Dr. Linger states that “RCNC staff act as a flashlight for the recoveree, shining a light on the path, and letting the recoveree discover the possibilities of a full life without shame or stigma which lie on their path.” The RCNC team conduct peer support and recovery coaching sessions where participants assist in the building of recovery plans and assessing recovery capital in the participant, as well as facilitate listening sessions and community readiness assessments using a participatory action approach to glean information on what community programs and services are working well, and the changes/additions that need to be made to improve service provision. For instance, as the population of those with SUDs is getting younger, those at RCNC see the need to stay relevant and include programs and services to attract these younger individuals and build the skill sets for those who will work with them. It is an ongoing cycle of providing help and gaining input from those being helped on what works and what doesn’t and serving with them empathy.  It is those strategies with an emphasis on empathy that makes RCNC so effective.  They have already provided direct service and trainings to well over 10,000 individuals and organizations in North Carolina since they began their work in 2016.

Not only is it important to put emphasis on recovery, but Dr. Linger and RCNC believes in showing others that’s passionate about helping others, how they can also gain experience in the process. This type of situation is sometimes provided through college internship programs of which RCNC builds positive relationships. Maria Garcia Hawley, who has been named by staff as “one of the brightest college interns the RCNC team has ever had the pleasure of working with”, is in college to become a substance use disorder professional. She shared something simple yet key to recovery, which is the importance of expressing empathy towards individuals, and how it aids in their recovery. “When discussing the need for empathy while working with individuals in recovery for substance use disorder, one must first discuss why it is important to be empathetic with people in this community. There is generally a negative stigma around substance use disorder, which has lead to many adverse effects on individuals in recovery. People entering treatment already experience feelings of shame and because of the stigma around the topic, they experience shame in recovery as well. This stigma often discourages people from disclosing that they are in recovery. Feelings of shame have not only been linked to one of the underlying causes of substance use but it is also related to an individual’s reasoning behind their return to use. So now one might wonder how empathy plays a role in recovery.”

It (empathy) is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. By expressing empathy, individuals are experiencing a person’s situation from within their frame of reference essentially placing themselves in another person’s position. There are a variety of ways people can be empathetic towards individuals, including but not limited to, understanding a person’s culture, having an attitude of acceptance, and being authentic. However, it is important to remember that being empathetic is not imposing direction or judgment. In terms of alcohol and drug recovery, being empathetic towards individuals can have a positive impact on the success of their recovery by creating a safe recovery environment. The benefits of using empathy with this community are endless.

Being empathetic towards individuals in recovery for substance use disorder is beneficial due to the fact that it combats many of the negative effects of substance use disorder. Not only does it communicate to people who are in recovery that their feelings are understood and respected, but it also allows people to better support the individual. It encourages a non-judgmental environment along with complimenting the individual instead of degrading them. These are just a few examples of how empathy is a key tool in helping individuals in their recovery. If these positive attributes are not enough to back up the idea that empathy is essential, there is also concrete evidence that reinforces this concept.

Most resources available to people in recovery use empathetic styles of communication when working with people who have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. It has been proven that the best way to approach individuals with a substance use disorder is to meet them where they are in the recovery process, which can be achieved through expressing empathy. Peer-based programs such as recovery coaches and peer support specialists, along with evidence-based practices like motivational interviewing provide efficacious interventions that work in supporting individuals in recovery. RCNC believes, however, the use of empathy does not only have to take place in a clinical setting. Empathy can and should be used in everyday life to better relate to the people with whom we are engaging on a daily basis.   

Of course, recovery is never easy and there are multiple barriers that can get in the way. One of the biggest barriers is how substance use disorder and recovery are looked at by society. We need to stop looking at people who suffer from substance use disorder as if they chose to put that needle in their arm or those pills in their mouth. We need to begin looking at substance use disorder as what it is: a chronic brain disease. That is why RCNC makes it a priority to treat people that walk through their doors with dignity and respect with the sole goal of helping them, not judging them. “If we can change how those with a substance use disorder see themselves and through education, change how the world looks at them, then we can begin to seriously tackle the impact of stigma”, says Dr. Rita Anita Linger.

Organizations like RCNC cannot do it alone! Dr. Linger is grateful for the funds they receive from SAMHSA facilitated through the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse, in order to fulfill the mission and service provision of RCNC.  RCNC has also received funding from the Wake County Human Services as well as other funding sources.  SUDs and addiction are epidemics that need to be treated as such. RCNC could not provide the level of services they have without support; they need more support to meet the needs of the communities it serve across the state. Karen Kranbuehl stated, “When most people think of seeking formal help for substance use disorder, they think of clinical treatment. The reality, however, is that only a small fraction of people with SUD that actually receive treatment. For people who cannot access treatment, RCNC is an essential recovery resource. Moreover, people who do access treatment only have it for a period of days, weeks, or months. After that, they have an entire lifetime over which to sustain recovery. RCNC is in the community to support them.”

Those at RCNC hope to see changes in the legislation and laws that provide financial and legislative support for recovery and treatment efforts. RCNC believes that one of the major social determinants to sustained recovery is health and one of the barriers to recovery is lack of financial resources. People who come through the doors at RCNC are often dealing with multiple health issues in addition to their SUD (diabetes, heart disease, hernias, etc.) and they cannot afford the proper level of care needed so they see no other alternative but to turn to substances for relief. Medicaid expansion needs to occur in order for people to afford basic health care. The RCNC team are advocates for change in quality of life and sustained recovery for the many who want to live a life of freedom, value, joy and fulfillment. 

RCNC is part of the Second Chance voices of advocates in North Carolina and believe that all people in recovery are worth a second chance. We know that many formerly incarcerated people have non-violent felonies associated with substance use disorder or distribution, and those individuals will have a difficult time acquiring a livable wage job so that they can take care of themselves and their families unless the law changes. RCNC also have ambitions of having an entrepreneurial incubator that includes workforce development, care coordination, peer support, and recovery coaching. There will be a gradient of services where anyone that is in recovery can participate. Dr. Linger stated, “If we can have just one person, taking care of one person, we can transform addiction.”

RCNC believes that the community can make a huge difference in the level of care that RCNC can provide by getting involved as a donor and/or volunteer. While they are primarily funded through federal and state grants, they invite those who recognize the value of their work to donate and support them in whatever ways they can.  RCNC will soon be launching a sustainer program where individuals can sign up to donate a certain amount of money each month to RCNC and then choose what programs they want to support. RCNC also holds the Rally for Recovery every September in honor of Recovery month.  That event offers the opportunity for individuals to come together within the community and celebrate recovery. 

Anyone needing help or anyone who has someone struggling with addiction or even those who are curious to learn more about SUDs and recovery are invited to come visit RCNC. SUD is not an issue that picks and chooses who is affected; anyone can suffer from this disease. Substance use disorder can be an addition to not just drugs, but alcohol, prescription meds, etc.  So, it is important that everyone within the community be aware of this issue and know what to look for and how to respond when needed.  I strongly urge you to see how you can get involved!  

Contact Us:

www.rcnc.org – 824 North Bloodworth Street, Raleigh, NC

919-231-0248

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