The Ready Shower is a revolutionary shower created by Sabra Wilson, founder & CEO. It enhances your bathing routine and has the remarkable ability to dispense hair shampoo and body wash from the showerhead using two dispensers that are placed behind the wall. You can select to use the shampoo or the body wash. Homemade or specially made body washes and shampoos can also be used.

“We have a refill so that you can refill your canisters from home,” said Wilson. “We also have a refill cap so that you can use your own body wash or your own shampoo products.”

And exactly how did Wilson come up with this invention?  She was sitting at home watching TV, and a Dove commercial came on. The commercial showed the shower running and a bottle of Dove body wash sitting on the counter. The commercial flashed from the running shower to the bottle of Dove body wash sitting on the counter. She wondered what was getting ready to happen. To her surprise, the commercial went off and nothing happened.

“I thought that maybe the body wash was going to come out of the showerhead,” said Wilson. “I said if the body wash would come out of the showerhead, that would be a great thing.” She immediately began working on the innovative idea by putting it all together and thinking about her next steps.

The first step was to obtain a patent. She hired an attorney and presented her idea to a group of individuals. She conducted a patent search to find out if there were presently any products on the market or in society that were similar or did the same thing that her invention did. Fortunately, there were no products like hers, and it took her about a year to obtain the patent on January 5, 2021. She had to pay $2,500 for a patent search and then applied for a utility patent that costs $7,000.

“The process is very lengthy, it takes time to do it, and you have to focus,” said Wilson. “It was very challenging, and I made monthly payments for $550 to $600 in order to obtain my patent.”      

Wilson is confident The Ready Shower will be a huge success and has never seen a product like it. She explained, “I’ve traveled a little bit and I have been to Germany and other places, and I have never seen anything that comes out of the showerhead where I don’t have to physically take the washcloth and lather it with the soap or body wash. I can actually push a button or turn a knob and it comes out of the showerhead to cut down on germs.”

These showerheads can be installed in hotels, nursing homes, and prisons to help curtail the spread of germs. We are living in the time of COVID-19, and everyone is being careful about what they touch and how they use things. Wilson is a former hotel supervisor and observed a great amount of soap, shampoo, and conditioners being wasted and left in the rooms.

“They would often be smashed, and the wetness would dissolve them so that you could not use them anymore,” said Wilson. “My invention helps to conserve these products and helps to cut down on the spread of bacteria and germs.”

The installation of The Ready Shower will be an easy process. She said, “During our prototype process, we were trying to put it where it would be plumber friendly so that consumers can go to the store, purchase it, and install it themselves. In the bigger facilities it will have to be installed, but we are trying to do it both ways so that it will be plumber friendly so that it won’t be so hard to install it by yourself.” 

The CEO is currently in the process of finding a manufacturing company who will make the product.

“We have been speaking with several companies, and we are waiting on calls to see what opportunities may be available, and hopefully we will receive some good news on moving forward,” said Wilson.

Wilson is a single mother of three: two girls and a boy, and she has two beautiful grandchildren.

Her favorite pastime is spending time with her family, and she loves to love, laugh, and live life to the fullest. She works as a Customer Service Representative for Alaska Airlines and Avelo Airlines at the Raleigh-Durham airport. She was the #1 hairdresser in Columbus County and is presently a member of a nonprofit organization called H.A.I.R. (Having Aunties In Reach).

“We have many events throughout the year for the children in Columbus County city limits and also in Wake County,” said Wilson. “We basically have back-to-school events like braiding or styling all of the kids’ hair for free for the first day of school.”

She added, “We do Valentine’s Day, Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, and everything we do for them is free of cost, and all the students have to do is show up.”       

Some of the challenges that she has faced during the invention process have been the passing of her father, the passing of two step-kids, and living in an area where a lot of violence is happening. In spite of dealing with life’s hardships, she continues to persevere and not give up.

“I have been working so hard on this for years and I tell my children and grandchildren this is for them,” said Wilson. “I have been working so hard, and I have not been able to give them a lot during the years, but I know God has given me this idea and it will be a blessing.” 

Her ultimate vision is for The Ready Shower to be in hotels, prisons, new homes, overseas, nursing homes, amusement parks, Lowe’s, Walmart, and hardware stores everywhere. When the product becomes available for purchase, she has plans to establish an online store.

If you are interested in The Ready Shower, the ultimate showering experience, and would like to become a potential investor or form a partnership, visit www.thereadyshower.com or email info@thereadyshower.com.

Regular physical activity and overall well-being, for example, can help to strengthen your bones and heart, which are both advantages of being healthy. As an added bonus, it lowers the body’s susceptibility to chronic illnesses while simultaneously increasing general blood circulation. Additionally, it aids in the maintenance of a healthy body weight while also alleviating the symptoms of despair and anxiety. The increase in oxygen capacity, the increase in energy levels, and the overall increase in physical fitness all contribute to improved overall fitness. Wellness Pro Solutions understands the difficulties that come with stress. Their muscle massagers are excellent for at the very least providing temporary or even permanent relief, as the various levels of pressure can relieve any tension with the push of a button. 

You should keep in mind that regular physical activity can help you improve your concentration and self-discipline, so make the most of your massages by regularly exercising. Having the ability to get up and go for a run or to the gym after work every day aids in the development of resilience and self-discipline in the individual. The consequences of this will extend to other aspects of your life as well. 

By placing physical appearance on a pedestal, society has elevated the significance of one’s physical appearance. Your own body image, according to the Health and Fitness Association, has a direct relationship with your sense of self-worth and confidence. Wellness also ensures that the body has pleasing proportions, a toned physique, and a youthful appearance by incorporating nutrition and exercise into one’s daily routine. The additional benefit of increasing energy levels and overall productivity is also a benefit of this method. There are some products available on the Wellness Pro Solutions website that can assist you with your proportions and shaping in the areas where you wish to see improvement. 

Regular physical activity, with a particular emphasis on aerobics, can have a significant positive impact on your self-esteem, according to research. Those who have low self-esteem and confidence levels that are low or non-existent should consider this treatment option. In the process of working to improve your physical appearance, you will also be working to improve your overall sense of self-worth. Individuals’ perceived attractiveness in the eyes of others is significantly influenced by their physical activity levels. This is true regardless of a person’s size, weight, age, gender, or height. 

The outcomes of your work can have a wide range of positive consequences for your life. It not only facilitates in the attainment of general fitness and good health, but it also aids in the development of confidence and self-esteem. Otherwise, simply enjoy the great outdoors, and the benefits will follow as a result of your efforts. 

Having this level of self-acceptance serves as a foundation upon which confidence can be built. The magnificent flower of self-appreciation and self-esteem can bloom and reach towards the sky if it is planted in this fertile soil. Everything begins with the little things in life, the things that are straightforward to complete, and remember that confident people inspire confidence in those around them. This includes their audience members as well as their peers, their bosses, their clients, and their friends. Moreover, gaining the confidence of those around you is one of the most important ways in which a self-assured person can make themselves appear more attractive. 

Wellness Pro Solutions understands that your health and well-being are paramount, and it takes great pride in connecting you with products that make a positive difference in your daily lives. Oh, we have to also mention that you should look into its aromatherapy solutions if you want to heighten your senses through the use of essential oils. We look forward to being of service to you!

The most vulnerable population in our community is our children. The very adult issues that have paralyzed our way of life are not easily understood by these little ones. While we adults are stressed to find toilet paper and hand sanitizer, our young children are struggling to get through the alphabet with no mess-ups. They are children 0-5 in low-income families and there is a great struggle to be prepared for kindergarten.

Before they take that big step, their parents are their first teachers, but sometimes that teacher role can be hard. Some say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, in Forsyth County the village has risen to the challenge. Imprints Cares offers a Parents as Teachers home visiting program that helps prepare children for school.

Imprints Cares from the late 1960’s, has seen the needs of these parents and has stepped in to help. The start was a babysitting service, then a full-time day-care center and now they are a nonprofit focused on early childhood education. The family educators that work for Imprints Cares know how crucial the early years of brain development are in preparing for school readiness.

It is their vision to unlock the full potential of children and their families for success in school and in life. The organization’s mission is to enrich children’s development while supporting their families on the journey of parenthood. Play time is serious business for these professionals.

Imprints Cares has a brand that has grown in strength through the COVID 19 pandemic because they did not stop when the world essentially shut down. A brand is not a logo or a catchy phrase that rhymes. A brand is a set of values and what an organization is known for based on the evidence they exhibit. The leadership team of Imprints Cares, led by Claudia Barrett, rolled up their sleeves and made some tough decisions to serve the community despite the coronavirus.

Who cares if the schools and many daycares are closed and the children have nowhere to go? Who cares if the essential workers have no one to care for their children so they can do the important jobs needed to keep the community safe? Who cares? Imprints Cares!

The work of Imprints Cares in Forsyth County during such a turbulent and uncertain time has given the community the support they need to face a new year. 2021 has no certain course and there are no answers for the return to normalcy. Children still face challenges and parents even more than before. Yet, Imprints Cares in their fiscal year 2020 has served thousands through their service to families of young children in their Ready for School led by Berta Andrade (Parents as Teachers, Reach Out & Read and Pediatric Holistic Health Initiative).

Imprints Cares went from being a day care center to now supporting in-home childcare providers through a program called Family, Friends and Neighbors. This pilot program reaches the providers that touch the lives of children that would not be helped otherwise by Imprints Cares. Family Educator, Angela Hunt shared the following, “I often tell them [grandmothers that cannot read] they have such a huge impactful role, I love helping them see their value.”

One of the newest programs in the Imprints Cares offerings of service is the program Book Babies that enrolls babies in the earliest stages of life, led by Erika Stewart. A parent can begin a partnership with Imprints Cares at the birth of their child and stay connected through elementary school to encourage a literacy rich home environment.

Imprints Cares does not offer charity to low-income families, they offer authentic relationships. Partnership with dignity and respect is the brand that has led other organizations to support them. Their work through the pandemic sparked the support of World in Winston who rallied much needed financial help. The Expanded Learning staff, led by Betty West, moved from a before and after school program to remote learning sites. The branded partnership continued as churches opened their doors to allow Imprints Cares to assist neighborhood children and helped them thrive in a learning environment foreign to all.

Several churches not only opened their doors but gave money to assist the families that would attend their remote learning site. One such church, among others, was Elevation. Their support of $60,000 granted scholarships to 47 children who worked with Remote Learning Specialists and their teachers. The Assistant Director of Expanded Learning, Ashley Long, recounted memorable milestones at the remote learning site when she stated a first grader wrote their name for the first time. The workers of Imprints Cares have done a wonderful job. One parent said it best, “Managing the isolation caused by the cancelation of school has been difficult for a 6 year-old. Imprints Cares is providing healthy interaction and learning.”

Considering social distancing and mask wearing regulations, who better to partner with during the holidays than Paw Patrol and Santa. On December 5th, the Family Educators of Imprints Cares hosted a holiday drive thru event that provided toys, crafted projects, stockings, treats and food boxes weighing nearly 40 pounds to low-income families. The successful event occurred with the help of two very generous organizations, choreographed by Shannon Heck, Director of Development.

The first was the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department, led by Sheriff Kimbrough, whose deputies gave funds through Do It Again December so that the families could receive presents. Second were food boxes provided by Crisis Control Ministry, filled with all the fix’ns needed to make great holiday meals. Abbey McCall, Director of Community & Volunteer Relations at Crisis Control Ministry said, “We are excited to partner with Imprints Cares and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office to provide a holiday meal for families in need this holiday season.”

We have learned through the 2019-2020 pandemic that partnerships and working together is necessary for success. Truly the brand of this organization is their mission to enrich children’s development while supporting their families on the journey of parenthood. The evidence is clear, and the children are the proof.

As I was sending this story to my editor, I received news that just could not be omitted. One of the churches that opened their doors for a remote leaning site, Knollwood Baptist, referred Imprints Cares to Toys for Tots to be a recipient of toys that exceeded their expectations; 3 semi-tractor trailers full of bicycles and toys. The portion that went to Imprints Cares was 37 bicycles and 15 boxes of toys.

There is so much to tell about this wonderful organization as the great news continues. In the year 2021 we will truly see Imprints Cares moving forward . . . Achieving Excellence!!!

This is a story of how helping hands for autistic individuals are available today. The word itself, autism, derives from the Greek word “autos,” meaning “self.” It was used in the early 1900s to describe the condition in which a person isolates themselves from social interaction. In 1943, child psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner, would publish a paper that recognizes children who were highly intelligent but displayed a need for being alone. Dr. Kanner later names their condition “early infantile autism.”

Once upon a time, autism was considered to be “childhood schizophrenia” and generally accepted to be a psychological disorder caused by emotionally distant mothers. Children with autism were discouraged from attending school, and grew up in the seclusion of their family homes.

Sometimes, children with autism were inappropriately institutionalized. People did not believe that these special children could grow up to have productive employment and lead fulfilling lives.

How We View Autism Today

Today, we recognize this condition as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); a group of developmental disabilities that can render an individual challenged in the areas of social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restricted behaviors. ASD is a brain disorder which is normally identified within the first three years of an infant’s life. ASD also comes in varying degrees of severity, which means that no two people will ever be the same.

It is a lifelong disorder that affects those at all stages of their life, and can also be combined with other disabilities such as Sensory Processing Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Those afflicted with this condition can seek help through autism therapy in the form of behavioral, occupational, physical, medical and dietary, language, and complementary therapy, such as those involving music or art.

Autism in North Carolina

Autism in North Carolina is prevalent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, in 2016, about one (1) in sixty-eight (68) eight (8)-year-old school children may be diagnosed with autism on a national level. 

In North Carolina, that number increases to about one (1) in fifty-eight (58). In North Carolina’s public schools, during the 2014-2015 school year, there were more than 16,000 students with autism enrolled in all 107 school districts; there are more than 65,000 individuals in North Carolina living with ASD.

Parents and individuals with ASD cannot get through these difficult moments in life alone. This is where support groups such as The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) come in.

The Autism Society of North Carolina

For more than 45 years, The Autism Society of North Carolina has made its sole mission to provide support and promote opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families. Through continued support and education across North Carolina, ASNC continues to lead the way by holding your loved ones hand through their journey of attaining a better quality of life.

It was created by special parents who shared information, provided support to one another, and improved the lives of all children with autism in North Carolina. These parents were responsible for laying the groundwork for the services and support that families and individuals now enjoy.

Striving for Success

ASNC strives to provide skill-building services designed to increase the independent skills of someone with ASD. Whether at home or within the community, ASNC helps those prepare to interact in either location safely and confidently.

ASNC’s Employment Support department continues to help individuals with autism find and maintain employment, which is a key part of having a complete life. ASNC also offers camps, afterschool programs, social groups, respite, adult day programs, and supported living homes around North Carolina.

“For nearly 50 years the Autism Society of North Carolina has improved lives, supported families, and educated communities about the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We help tens of thousands of North Carolinians living with autism annually through a wide range of services. If you have questions about autism or need help, don’t hesitate to call 800-442-2762,” says David Laxton, Director of Communications of The Autism Society of North Carolina.

What is Available?

The 133-acre Camp Royall, outside of Pittsboro, is the nation’s oldest and largest camp for individuals with ASD. Camp Royall provides typical camp activities, in a structured environment to meet the needs of individuals with autism. Activities include Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Hiking, Hayrides and Boating.

ASNC also provides an unlimited amount of support to professionals such as doctors and teachers. By working with professionals, ASNC can increase the quality of care for those afflicted with ASD. ASNC’s licensed psychologists and certified behavioral analysts emphasize evidence-based best practices, early intervention and learning through an individual’s life as part of their specialized training.

The Goals of the ASNC

The goal, as ASNC underlines, is to increase the understanding and acceptance of individuals with ASD. The organization’s educational efforts have helped the State of North Carolina to have a lower average age of diagnosis than the nation as a whole.

Through education, comes support in the way of families. ASNC’s locally based Autism Resource Specialists will help find resources for families, assist with school issues, and provide further education to families through workshops.

There are more than 50 local chapters throughout North Carolina to provide this extended support and education to individuals and their families affected by autism. 

ASNC, in addition to their many community service activities, advocates for the needs of the autism community by forming and upholding valued relationships at the State Legislature and other policy-making bodies. 

The Annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism

Recently, ASNC celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. From the first year and around 300 runners, the event has grown to 4,000+ participants stepping out to raise money and support the autism community. At the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, families come together to celebrate and share information and the community learns more about autism while enjoying a fun-filled event. Whether you run, walk, donate, or volunteer, the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism has something for everyone,” reiterated Laxton.

For the 20th anniversary, the ASNC is encouraging past teams and participants to return back to the Run/Walk. They are also offering cash prizes of $250 to the overall winners (men’s and women’s) of the 5K race.

During these twenty years, the ASNC has raised over $2 million to support individuals with autism and their families through the event. They are also compiling video memories from past chairs of the event and team captains.

The ASNC will be offering an information exchange area at the event where people can learn more about the organization and others who serve the autism community. There will also be a kids play area as well, live music, and plenty of open space for people to enjoy themselves and celebrate the day.

Highlights of the Event

The event will include the following:

• 5K race (our competitive racers).
  • This is chip timed and certified.
  • It is also one of the events in the Second Empire Grand Prix series.
• 5K non-competitive event
  • This is for racers who want to do the full course, but not be timed.
• 1 Mile fun run
  • This is not officially timed and provides a good option for many of our teams who are walking and/or pushing strollers, pulling wagons, etc.
• Kid’s Dash
  • This is within Halifax Mall and provides kids under six (6) the opportunity to all be winners.

For Further Information

For more information about the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, you can visit www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism takes place on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 9:00 a.m., at Halifax Mall, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

The Online Registration Deadline is Monday, October 8, at 8:00 a.m. After this date, registration will be $30.00 for the 5K Competitive, 5K Noncompetitive, and 1-Mile.

Additional information about the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism is located at www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

ASNC works diligently to directly improve the lives of individuals affected by autism, by providing advocacy, education, and services. For additional information on how the Autism Society of North Carolina can help the community, you can call 1-800-442-2762, 919-743-0204, or visit www.autismsociety-nc.org.

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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Mr. Moore named his company Nyla Elise after his daughter. This is a fact that his daughter loves and is proud to share with everyone. In fact, when his daughter first saw someone else wearing the Nyla Elise brand, she felt a surge of pride for her father and his hard work. Moore boasts about his daughter saying, “She is not the selfish type and loves helping others”, which is a good representation of the Nyla Elise Company because helping others also plays a role in his business.

Of course, there are challenges as with any venture. Moore shares on the challenges that come with being a designer and entrepreneur by saying, “The process of learning of what you’re about to start is the main challenge to overcome. You have to take in account about funding or how to get an actual product made”. He also adds, “That’s the main thing anyone should figure out because it is not for sure how much money will be needed for the business”. However, with a strong passion anything is possible. Moore shares that his biggest triumph was staying up countless nights trying to create and hone his craft. 

 At a young age, Mr. Moore expressed a passion in playing basketball. He would work hard to win games and he blossomed into a very alented and highly skilled player in high school. He was so talented that various high school coaches throughout North Carolina reached out to him to play for their schools. However, Mr. Moore held out for a school that had the best program to fit his talent. He eventually found that program in Word of God Christian Academy, also known as WOGCA. It was there that he made a name for himself in the basketball world, appearing in the newspaper quite often.

 Even though Mr. Moore excelled at basketball, he was eventually pulled toward his other passion: fashion. Growing up, his biggest fashion influences were his two uncles. He says, “They lived an elegant, edgy and very fashionable life. They took pride in their appearances and in who they were [as individuals]”. They showed him how a man should carry himself. Mr. Moore shares a wise word from the well dressed, and that is “If you look good then you feel good”. He continues to take his Uncles’ words on how to carry himself as a man.

While fashion was always a passion for Moore, it wasn’t until a man sold him T-shirt equipment that his love for designing emerged. He learned the process of using the equipment by viewing videos and getting help from a buddy who ran his own t-shirt shop. From then on, Moore knew where his heart lay and that was in the design world.

 In a productive business nothing is ever achieved alone. Mr. Moore surrounds himself with a supportive team with the same mindset of being dreamers. These people share the same ideals and the same belief that it is important to make your dreams a reality. He states, “It is not easy to be on the cover of The City Insight Magazine and it is not easy to get a two-page article in Black Enterprise”. His drive helped him reach those milestones in his career and he continues to thrive in the fashion industry with a vengeance.

 Mr. Moore also believes that everyone has something in them that they love to do. Of course, everyone also has a story or a situation that could hold them back from their dreams. What is important is to not give up on those dreams and to push past the obstacles. This former basketball player turned fashion designer is living proof of that.

 Mr. Moore also thinks that it is good to have a perspective on what is important. He says, “First, I thank God and then I am grateful for my work ethic and talent”. Mr. Moore also believes that anyone can make it big from wherever they are located: “I can be a fashion designer and make it big in Raleigh. I do not have to go to New York, or California to make it big. Bring the big cities to where you are located”. 

 While Mr. Moore is seeing success, he has no plans on slowing down. He feels that Nyla Elise is so much bigger than him or his daughter: it is a movement. He has huge dreams to create a multi-million dollar company. Of course, it is not about the money or becoming rich to Mr. Moore, but it is about being able to foster a whole new generation of kids that may not have much or just need that extra push in the right direction.

Mr. Moore creates, prints and sells everything that is under his company’s name. Every shirt he designs has a meaning behind it. A great example of this is on a shirt that reads “Natural Vibes Only” with one of his favorite pictures of his daughter on the shirt. He created that shirt because his daughter was at school and was wondering why her hair wasn’t like the other girl’s hair. He explained to her that her hair was beautiful the way it was because that’s how God made it. Natural vibes are the way to go whether it is in households or functioning in society. He sees his shirts as conscious clothing, a tool of empowerment.

 Nyla Elise is not only well received on a local level, on a national level as well by very known celebrities and influential people. He proudly shares that, “Cedric the Entertainer stood next to Will Smith with a jacket made by me.” It is not just Cedric the Entertainer that is noticing Moore’s designs, but actors like George Lopez and Olivia Wilde have supported the company along with many other celebrities. This is something Moore really aims for. He wants his brand to be on the platform and on the backs of celebrities because he feels like his designs are the best. He works extremely hard, uses the best material and has a unique and creative mind within the fashion world.

 In fact, Mr. Moore has known Kevin Hart for about three and a half years and Kevin has seen Mr. Moore grow as a designer. Last time they talked, Kevin told Mr. Moore, “I keep supporting you because you are such a hard worker”. Mr. Moore is modest about his success and shares that his accomplishments give him goose bumps; he says, “no job is too small”. It is that mindset that is propelling Moore to the top!”

 Social media and technology has also played a part in Moore’s success. Mr. Moore partners with Lenovo. Lenovo has given him the tools to create and make his creations come to life. Lenovo traveled internationally to shoot a commercial using one individual from a select few regions, and once Lenovo made its’ way to the USA they chose Mr. Moore to do the commercial.

Something that really sets Rick Moore apart is how he measures success. He doesn’t factor in money or notoriety, but rather by how many footprints he has made in someone’s life. Of success, he shares that, “I measure it by how many people come up to me and say how much I inspire them. I get letters about how I inspire others”. Because of this, Moore is certain that Nyla Elise will be a $100 million company five years from now. All of the feelings from his garments are good feelings and will make you feel good about yourself. His clothing obtains significant meaning along with making a notable fashion statement.  

Mr. Moore also shared some information on his upcoming book and how it is going to be about his business. It will touch on the things he experienced in life and on the process of starting his business. He says that being an entrepreneur can be frustrating and the experience of starting a business can be a bit overwhelming. People want success quick and fast which he calls a “microwave America” and America needs to get away from that concept. People need to realize that the best stories are the under-developed stories being that struggling is the part to break through to reach success.

 If there is one thing Moore would like people to remember about him, it is that he doesn’t believe in dream killers that treat his work like any other type of work. He only focuses on the positive forces in life and those who help instead of hinder. This is something Moore shares when he speaks at colleges, high schools, and to regular youth to empower and inspire.

 Nyla Elise clothing line is for anyone who wants to make a positive statement with apparel while looking and feeling great in the process. To learn more, visit www.nylaelise.com.

Interview By Ella Frazier