STAND MAGAZINE 2

STAND , INC . MAGAZINE

FOR OVERCOMING & PREVENTING

Sobriety

06- Tools for Overcoming and Preventing Domestic Violence

ABOUT US

Established in 1999, STAND, Inc. exists to educate the community and address health disparities, to renew and preserve families and the communities in which they reside. Our focus on outcomes and solutions in a practice research-based environment serves to positively address the social plagues of homelessness, prison recidivism, domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse and their negative impact on our community at large. We are foundationally Social Entrepreneurs, dedicated to sharing our knowledge capital; inspiring hope; and instilling confidence in our clients to facilitate their personal desires for accountability and change. Our unwavering spiritual reliance combined with strong social conscience undergirds our investment in our clients, their families, and their communities.

10- Been There and Back, Now Serving Others

12- Sharing the Path to Sobriety

16- A Lifelong Journey, a Day at a Time

T able of C ontents

20- Attending Meetings, Making Friends

32- Speaking His Truth to Help the Next Generation

36- Advocate for Abused Men

40- Getting the Word Out: Help is Here

Inspiring the Next Generation

From Hip Hop to Conflict Resolution

HELP IS A CLICK AWAY

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FOR OVERCOMING

& PREVENTING

D omestic

Violence LeBryan Sperling, COO and DV Coordinator

W orking with his father, Charles Sperling, in domestic violence intervention, LeBryan Sperling is a facilitator responsible for coordinating the scheduling and reporting, stating that this department is his passion. LeBryan started out as an

only appropriate response is a law enforcement judicial response.” But what about the milder cases—the screaming, throwing things, pushing, and shoving? LeBryan shares that these are learned behaviors and, in many cases, can be overcome. LeBryan believes that anger management and family violence intervention should go hand in hand. “The unspoken victims are oftentimes children. How do we him because he acts this way. However, that male goes on and can cause that same damage to someone else. That woman—that mother— goes on with that damage and has to figure out how to mend the pieces. A lot of this is done without assistance. Here’s where we come into play.” And studies have shown that in 40 to 60 percent of domestic violence, substance abuse is involved. STAND h a s seen up to 74 percent. LeBryan believes all potential aspects of DV should be treated. do what's best for those children? It's easy to say she should leave

investigator. Disturbed at seeing so many abused women, he joined the Marshall service. “I spent my days waking people up and putting them in jail for what they had done to their significant others. . . I took pleasure in being the defender of the weak.” However, driving

them to jail, he soon discovered a pattern with the perpetrators— that often, they

themselves had suffered abuse. “And, if left untreated, the violence would transfer to the next relationship and the next.” Screening DV participants for past abuse, STAND discovered that 93% of those clients had experienced violence or trauma, and 60% also reported post-traumatic stress symptoms. What if the men were treated instead of incarcerated? “Of course, for extreme actions, the

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Family violence intervention is about protecting families. “How do you protect families without addressing the person that is causing the damage?” Charles Sperling authored “Root Solution,” STAND’S curriculum for DV, where one theme is ‘Power and Control Dynamics,’ teaching the difference between desire and demand; for example: “Once my desire becomes a demand, I’ve written the first line in my recipe for disaster.” Another theme is the ‘Male Responsibility Matrix’ covering subjects like: “Who taught you how to be a man?” and “What did they teach you?’ He adds, “It’s never about what she did or what she said happened.” It’s about taking responsibility—‘I’ versus ‘You.’

He adds that some clients who complete the program come back week after week without obligation. “They call it getting a tune-up.” Learned behavior can be unlearned, and new habits can lead to healing—for everyone involved.

LeBryan Sperling

“We allow that person to share without judgment so that we can look at how they could better manage that situation.” Domestic abuse spans subcultures, race, social

economics, and countries. LeBryan states that STAND is pro-women’s rights and comes from a place of empowerment for men. “From the time we are young, we're taught what a man is supposed to do and what a man is not supposed to do.” What’s missing is often: owning our own feelings, nonviolent communication, understanding anger management, and self- awareness. He hopes to share this curriculum with large groups of men, even in college-level arenas, to “…prevent some of the same violence that causes us to have to do this work in the first place.”

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let us help OUT OF CONTROL? Addictive Disease Peer Support Program provides structured activities to both men and women, which promote

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W illiam Lesane was a patient at a methadone clinic. “People from STAND used to visit us at the clinic, make connections, and invite us to come over.” At first, he was hesitant. Then a counselor referred him to STAND, and he gave it a try. “I attended their Reflection meetings and events. Their programs are excellent. They’re one of only a few in underserved communities like mine who are effective in helping people reenter society who suffer from drug addiction and trauma. We need more places like STAND in all communities.” Some of the staff went through programs themselves, and William found that very connecting. “They're very amazing.

What’s special about them is that they have experience with addiction and know what it feels like, feeling that sense of doom because you have

to start all over in life, and they are well equipped to assist us in that. So, I think their services are immeasurable.” It’s a fun community, too:

“The environment was well suited for someone like me who had a lot of idle time . . . we could use their computers, play pool, participate in meetings and things like that. . . which was helpful because it kept me busy doing something else besides going out and looking for drugs.” And now he’s the one helping others. He shares a story that he was in a residential treatment facility called Black Bear Lodge in the mountains of Georgia. “It’s a very beautiful place, and I graduated from there almost 18 months ago.”

He and several others were invited back as alumni, where he met someone who needed help. “His life was in turmoil when he got out because he had nowhere to go. They didn't have transportation; he was stuck—they’d dropped him off somewhere, and he couldn't get home. I was able to assist him not only in getting home but referring him to STAND, where they found him IOP living. They set him up, and now he's putting in the work.” William also referred him to the DOOR program: “He got his ID, his license, and the necessary paperwork and documentation to get into a sober living facility. Now he has structure and a foundation and has started his life all over again. He's never stopped showing his appreciation to me for that.” William Lesane, Former Attendee, Future Lawer

legislation, that this program works. We need tangible, hands-on access to programs like the DOOR so that people suffering from addiction have a place to go to get help.” When asked if STAND offered to find him employment, he laughs. “They didn't offer to help me find a job; they offered to give me a job!” At STAND! If he takes it, he’ll need a flexible schedule because he’s a psychology major! When he graduates next month, he plans on taking the LSAT and going straight into law school! “All I'm doing is what someone else did for me. That's what this program is about; that's why this program works because we make it our responsibility to be of service to some other suffering addict or alcoholic. And man, don't we know why we suffer from drugs and alcohol! And because we know why, it's our duty to extend that information and service to other people.”

What more can be done? “I tell people, especially those who can make decisions or create

E irial “JV” Varner met James Lingo when he joined the fraternal order of Masonry. “He was in the lodge when I joined. I found out what he does, he found out what I do, and we just put these things together.” What Eirial does, is share his story. He speaks at gatherings, outreach programs, and seminars. The subject? Sobriety. For him, it will be 17 years in January. “And that doesn't mean a one-year chip or a handshake or a cup of coffee; that means sharing my experience, strength, and hope with another so that they may recover. If it helps anybody else, then I've done my job.” An advocate of AA, he shares that message with others. “I know the first 164 pages of the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous like the back of my hand—it helped me save my life.” His addiction path began in his young teens. His father was a drug dealer in Chicago. “He blew me my first shotgun through a toilet paper roll. He inhaled, and then he blew me the smoke. It just catapulted me.” His father would bag the drugs in Eirial’s apartment and leave his son a few days’ supply. Then came the crack, or cooked cocaine, for the next twelve years. He finally left his wife and even stole her car. “I WAS STUCK IN THE STREET FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS SMOKING DOPE.” He slept in abandoned cars and abandoned houses. “I remember the worst feeling for me was being out there at four o'clock in the morning and wanting one more hit but with no means to get it. It's the worst feeling known to any addict.” So, what changed? “I remember meeting this guy at the service station; I was trying to hustle some change. . . He said, ‘I'm not gonna give you no money, but I'll give you a solution to

Sobriety

“… sharing my

experience, strength, and hope with another so that they may recover.” -Eirial “JV” Varner

your problems. . . if you can be here tomorrow, I'll pick you up, and I'll take you to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting.’” Eirial wasn’t interested but thought he might get a few dollars out of it, so he went. “I heard a lot of people share their story, and it sounded like this was something I could do because I really didn’t think I was the kind of guy that needed to be a dope fiend.” He ended up clean “exactly two years, two months, two weeks, and a day.” By that time, he was moving forward—he was in a new relationship and had started a business as an auto mechanic. And then, he used again. But he was working on the twelve-step program. He had a network and a plan of action. And he called his sponsor, telling him he’d used and was craving again, saying, “I just want one more, and I don't know what to do.” His sponsor, Carlos, immediately responded, “I'll pick you up and we'll go to a meeting.” That's just what he did, and he is Eirial’s sponsor to this day. What about Eirial’s Father? “I made amends with my dad, he made amends with me, and thank God my father died sober. He passed away sober, and I was sober when he passed. For the both of us, that was extraordinary.” CALL JV’S AUTO SHOP TODAY! 770-912-4785 13

The "DOOR"

DeKalb Open Opportunities for Recovery (The “DOOR”) is an Addiction Recovery Support Center (ARSC) and Recovery Community Organization (RCO) offering a set of non-clinical, peer-led activities that engage, educate, and support individuals and families successfully to make life changes necessary to establish, maintain, and enhance recovery (health and wellness) from substance use disorders. Seeking to improve the lives of individuals in our community, the “DOOR” is grounded in three core principles: • A Recovery Vision • Authenticity of Voice • And Accountability to the Recovery Community

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STOP HUTRING YOUSELF We can help free you from the harm of substance abuse.

STAND, Inc. 404.288.4668 CalL Us Today!

Or Visit 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032

A Lifelong Journey,

A Day at a Time

SONIA GLASS – COUNSELOR AT STAND

T en years ago, Sonia Glass worked in fast-paced corporate America but didn’t feel fulfilled. Then the recession hit, and she decided to make a change. She already had a gift for giving advice, and a passion for helping people struggling with substance abuse, so she decided to get a bachelor’s in social work. Sonia is now a certified addiction counselor level II (CAC II) for STAND. “I applied for a housing coordinator position. I was contacted and told that I would probably be a better fit as a counselor, and the rest is history!” And she keeps busy. “Right now, I have about eight clients a day, and we're steadily growing.” Sonia does both individual and group therapy. And does therapy make a difference? “Oh yes, and it's wonderful to see when they first come in, the rawness, and then watch them as they progress and start taking ahold of the principles of recovery and start growing.” But it takes time. “Recovering from substance abuse is not an overnight process; it's not a 90-day process; this is something you’re continuously working on. It's no ‘get rich quick scheme,’ it's no ‘blink your eyes and you’re all well.’ This is a lifelong journey, a day at a time.” Each client is different; some are mandated, and some come looking for healing. “We meet the clients where they are. It's beautiful to see the ones that come in, kicking and screaming saying, ‘No, I don't have a problem. I just have to be here because XYZ said I had to come,’ and then that lightbulb clicks, and they start connecting, saying, ‘You know what? Because of my problem—that's why I have to come.’”

Addiction can really affect loved ones. “People in addiction

sometimes think, ‘I'm not hurting anyone,’ but you are. You're hurting everyone that loves you. That’s the goal, to repair any broken relationships that they have, to rebuild those because family support is very instrumental in recovery. And it's not what we consider family— it's what the client considers family. The family structure is no longer Mom, Dad, 2.5 children, and a dog. Now, the family structure is so much broader and wider than that.” And there’s the other side of the coin: “Unhealthy relationships you should let go of because it's about building and fostering positive, healthy relationships on your recovery journey.” She adds, “The thing about addiction—it’s a family disease; it touches every dimension of that person. Everything and everyone connected to that person is affected, and once that person starts getting healthy and healing, so do those relationships. Sometimes it's not possible, but sometimes, it is. It's just so wonderful to see families mended, relationships rebuilt, and the person rebuilding their life; it is just a wonderful thing to witness. And, you know what? The only thing you have to change is everything. And when they do, people find themselves again. You can't imagine the talents they hold. It gets pushed back because that's not their priority at that time, but once

they get clean and sober, they start going back and living those gifts and talents. You’d be amazed at the diamonds in the rough. And one of the pathways that we encourage our clients to utilize is the 12-step foundation. It works. . . millions have recovered.” When told that STAND is lucky to have her, Sonia humbly replies, “I'm the lucky one; it’s a great place to work.”

GIVING CLIENTS THE HOPE AND CARE NECESSARY TO RECOVERY.

STANDINC.COM 404.288.4668

W hen calling Andrew Boylston for an interview, I was asked to call back a little later—he was in the middle of a meditation class at STAND. This is a far cry from his earlier life. Andrew shares, “This is the longest I've been clean since I was twelve years old, so that's a pretty big step.” At present, he doesn’t have the ideal living situation—he was mandated by DeKalb County Drug Court to live in a treatment residency. “I really like peace and quiet, and that's not possible with twelve people living in one house.” He was also mandated to go to meetings, which is how he got involved with STAND. “They have different meetings, such as emotional support, but they could be on any kind of topic, like mental health, substance abuse, or wellness—they call it Wellness Wednesday.” Andrew also sees what STAND does for others: “They feed people—there are other people from drug court here, people from other programs here, so it's a pretty good place.” What does he think of the STAND program? “I’ve really grown to like it. I really like some of the staff here—they’re nice people. That's where I'm at right now, actually—we just finished a morning meditation.” He shares some of the help he’s received. “They definitely helped me out with some resources when I first got started, like some hygiene stuff, food, they even directed me toward getting some community service done, and they connected me with some people that, on a couple of different occasions, got me a $50 Walmart gift card just for answering a couple of questions.”

ANDREW Current Client BOYLSTON,

He mentions certain staff who have really stood out for him, including his first contact with STAND: “James Lingo. I was just really stressed out about a lot of this stuff involved with drug court—the really strict rules and guidelines. It was just me and one other guy who showed up one morning for drug court. James sat in the back and just let us vent and talk for a while. And then he shared with us that he was formerly

in prison, so he's been through a lot of this stuff. He's very honest and very understanding, and he didn't patronize us about it. He’s just more like somebody to listen to. He was so open about where he came from and how successful he is now—it makes a big, big difference—more than just talking about it.” Andrew

emphasizes the importance of a non-judgmental approach. “Just being able to have someone listen and not be like, ‘Oh well, they're right, and you're wrong’—that made a big difference. I've talked to James Lingo, Lakeisha, and Susan; those are the people I've really gravitated toward. They've been really supportive, and they’ve been encouraging me to continue to come around to join the meetings.” Andrew is employed at a sports bar called Kirkyard Public House, and he also plays live music—guitar and vocals. But—isn’t the musician/ bar lifestyle challenging while trying to maintain sobriety? His answer: “My buddy, who I play guitar with, has been sober for something like fifteen years.” He adds, “Luckily, I've made some pretty great friends in recovery. There are a lot of sober people out there. You wouldn't think it, but there are a lot.”

ADDICTIVE DISEASE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING The AD Transitional Housing program provides off-site substance abuse intensive outpatient treatment services in conjunction with on-site recovery support programming that aligns with a supportive and structured living environment for individuals with a Substance Use Disorder. The residential setting is less restrictive with qualified staff on call 24 hours per day as individuals begin to strengthen living skills and focus on creating financial, environmental, and social stability to increase the probability of long-term recovery. The program maintains a basic rehabilitation focus on early recovery skills including the negative impact of substances and tools for developing support and relapse prevention skills. Visit Us Today: 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032 Or Call Us: 404.288.4668

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Inspiring Monica Ponder Ph.D., MS, MSPH: Community activist and assistant professor of health communication and culture at Howard University

M onica Ponder worked at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for fifteen years. “I've always paired what I did professionally with community work.” During the pandemic, she made a career change and is now an assistant professor of Health Communication and Culture at Howard University. “It's a much more rewarding place to be in terms of my individual level of agency and power. It also gives me a direct connection to like-minded individuals, colleagues, and students who have a social justice lens on day one.” She is also a public

When asked what her day is like, she laughs, “I get paid to think, speak, write, and teach!” She adds, “I'm very in touch with current events and local events.” Twice a week, she teaches Ph.D. students who are training to be scholar-activists and talks about community issues, schooling them in public health communications and crisis communication. “A lot of what we talk about has to do with racism, justification, houselessness, and mental health, and so it's usually more of a critical cultural approach. I am really

intent on teaching them not just how to be in the academy but to

health activist focusing on housing and healthcare

access, and mental health; “I would say I focus on the forest and not the trees. In my current projects, I work closely with East Point. . . What I do is connect and refer. I look at patterns of how communities and individuals cope and make sense of their ongoing crises, and that does include maladaptive behaviors like addiction and alcohol abuse.”

be activists. . . They're bridge makers and connectors, and so while I love high-touch meeting people in the community. . . I think probably my biggest superpower at this moment is just teaching and giving them the tools . . . to go out and actually do good.”

“I would say I focus on the forest and not the trees.”

Monica problem-solves with her students. “I'm looking at critiquing the problem theoretically but also how I want to act with it—do I want to partner with groups? Are there different funding opportunities? If we can get direct support to programs this is something we explore as a teacher-student relationship, which sometimes leads to writing commentaries. Our thought pieces are really recommendations of how we can better support communities.” She shares, “Being more grounded in my work and how I approach it—it's been a constant evolution; I've always been a community activist in some way. I really worked a lot in Women's Health; I was our board

chair for three or four years for Georgians for a Healthy Future, which has long advocated for expanded healthcare access for Georgia residents. I have helped to get lactation pods at the airport; there are a lot of different projects I’ve done to support the community, so my interest now is helping with crisis communication. And my lens is that I believe that some communities are in a constant state of crisis, and the way we do that work is probably insufficient, that we should make sure that people are still safe. That's really the number one thing we can do to make sure that we restore trust— get people to a place of sustainability, and even adapt and partner with us for long-term social change.”

If you chase your recovery like you chased your high, you would never relapse again.

You are the only one who can make your recovery possible.

STAND, Inc . remains firmly focused on the possibilities for change. We are motivated to be the agents for the change required to build stronger more vibrant communities made possible by the capacity of its citizens. We continue to facilitate change by maintaining a strong devotion to our stakeholders and unwavering commitment to our mission. In partnership with our supporters and collaborators, civic and community leaders, our professional staff and executive leadership team continues to create a system of confluence and synergy that result in influential and measurable change. CONTACT STAND, INC. TODAY 404.288.4668 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032 standinc.com

E rin Davis is the project coordinator for Project Connect Prevention (PCP). “We are directly under the STAND umbrella. . . STAND has recovery treatment and then our Community Resource Center.” Project Connect Prevention is designed to assess risky behaviors and implement preventive services for youth and young adults. “We use evidence-based practices such as Color it Real and Thinking for a Change.” She explains: “Color it Real is a culturally relevant, age-appropriate six-session prevention program curriculum, designed for our overarching goal of decreasing risky sexual behaviors, substance use and perceived stress levels in youth and young adults ages thirteen through twenty-four, using the hip hop culture.” Hip hop—as in music? “Often youth do not listen to the lyrics of the music, and so we're creating a ‘Rap Battle,’ and the youth are encouraged to not only listen to the lyrics but understand what they're saying, and seeing

how, subconsciously, that provokes them to engage further in risky behaviors.” She adds, “Part of the curriculum is designed to empower our youth and young adults, so we use things like recognizing and controlling triggers for risky sexual situations, making healthy choices as far as what we intake and what we deliver. Color it Real also assists with social skills and assertiveness and the coping mechanisms needed.” “Thinking for a Change is a 6 to 25-lesson cognitive behavior change curriculum that focuses on cognitive restructuring, social skill development, and conflict resolution for our population.” How do you reach out? “With PCP, we've served over 400 youths so far, in after-school sessions, in school sessions inside of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), as well as in our office here off of Covington highway.” And not just large groups but individual education as well. Whether outreach or a student calling in needing advice, “We have conversations daily with our youth.” Erin shares, “I've always wanted to give back to my community, and it was all about finding ways to do that. I started as a pharmacy technician, and I'd be there for ten years, but it wasn't enough. I dealt with a nonprofit based out of North Carolina, and we dealt with all the

poverty-stricken community.” But she realized it needed to start with the younger generation.

Connecting with Youth Erin Davis, Project Coordinator

“To effectively help the community, you have to be a part of it, or you have to come from it. . . and so I took my educational background, my bachelor’s in

chemistry, my master's in health administration as well as my current doctorate in public health, to figure out exactly what our community needs—that's how I ended up here.” The community police department helps too. Erin explains that if the police encounter a troubled youth who hasn’t fallen too far, they will recommend PCP. “Our program is definitely beneficial, it's needed, and it’s changed lives.” One young man had a Thinking for a Change session about apologizing: “Many kids nowadays don't know how to effectively apologize. After our session, he actually went back to the person that he’d offended and apologized. It’s small things like that that bring on a bigger scale of what we do. If we can help one, then we've helped millions because they'll share.” Lastly, Erin sends a big shout-out to Tadji Aten. “We are a dynamic duo, and I'd be remiss not to mention her and her hard work.”

There is a way out.

STAND, Inc . offeres Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program (SA-IOP) component of STAND Inc. is licensed by the Department of Community Health under the Rules and Regulations for Drug Abuse Treatment Programs and offers the American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM) Levels 0.5 through 2.5 Specialized Day Treatment.

Contact STAND, INC. Today! 404.288.4668 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032

SPEAKING HIS TRUTH to Help the Next Generation R oderick G ordon : C lient

R oderick Gordon has been attending meetings at STAND for about a year. He shares his story: “My drug of choice was marijuana.” Starting at the age of thirteen, he was smoking every day by sixteen. By the time he graduated high school, he was fully addicted. “I really had to smoke a lot. That led to my first incarceration in 2018 for possession of marijuana and crossing guard lines with a firearm. I was high and had an anxiety attack from the marijuana, and instead of telling the police officers I had a gun—because it was in my name, so I could have just said something—I panicked.” While he was being processed for possession, they found the firearm. “That's how I got that charge.” Roderick was released the same weekend. “I went three months sober, and then I went to court.” The problem was that he couldn’t smoke while on probation, so he turned to alcohol. “That’s when my drinking started to become an addiction.” He figured out how to smoke and drink. “I went to have the drug test every three months, so I would smoke for two months, then drink for the other month.”

He was working at the time, but when COVID hit, Roderick lost his job and turned to selling marijuana, leading to his current charge. In the Dekalb County drug court, he was referred to the STAND program. “It wasn’t mandatory for us to go, but once I went, I grew a relationship with the staff there and have been going there ever since.” At first, it was an emotional roller coaster. “When I first entered drug court and started attending meetings at STAND, I used to beat myself up a lot because I felt like I’d wasted a lot of time.” But as he learned life lessons at both drug court and STAND, things started to click. “They rearranged my thinking. Now I feel like everything happened for a purpose, for me to grow into the individual I am today.” And Roderick found strength in sharing his experiences with others. “My passion now is to help youth offenders and to

hear their experience and show them where that led me and to guide them in a better direction.” When asked if he feels personally responsible for changing the lives of these kids, he answers, “Not personally; I know it's my higher power.” Roderick adds, “It's going well; I'm at a year and eight months sober. I'm going to hit twenty-seven years of age, so now I have a full opportunity to really change my life around. I have a year left in the DeKalb County drug court program, and once I'm finished, I can really start to reach for some of the things I've been envisioning.” He’s seen a big difference in his life. “My whole attitude and my whole thought process have changed entirely. In the past, I didn't have any real future goals or smart goals. Now that my brain’s healing and I'm able to sit down and analyze things, I'm remapping my life.” He’s got a job at present with DoorDash but hopes to really connect with people in his next line of work. “It’s really grown into a passion, and that's one of the careers that I’d like to have the option to pursue.” In a perfect world, what job would Roderick like? “It would be some form of counseling.”

“I'm remapping my life.” -R oderick G ordon

STAND is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions to those with complex and compounded social issues and diseases through evidence- based training, education, and interventions that will empower all to engage in healthy productive lifestyles.

I understood myself only after I destroyed myself. And only in the process of fixing myself, did I know who I really was . .

Call STAND, INC. Today! 404.288.4668

STANDINC.COM 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032

Advocate For Abused Men

D r. Sulaiman speaks on behalf of men who have suffered domestic violence. He should know—he was a victim. Unfortunately, he himself was accused of domestic violence instead. Because of wrongful accusations, Dr. Sulaiman was hit with a protective order. “She turned it around on me, which led to me having to take the domestic violence intervention program with STAND,” and more than once.

Dr. Sulaiman Karatela:

Domestic Violence Educator

Now he advocates for men in similar situations in the

He talked to his children. “I always said we will stay on the high road, we will tell the truth, but when the police would separate the kids with their mother and put me on one side, the kids would be afraid to speak. Through a lot of prayer and a lot of faith and the proper outcome long term, we were able to stick it out for a long time until I was able to actually gain custody of my children.” Dr. Sulaiman gave up his medical career “to be a dad to my sons. I have fifteen publications in major medical journals; I left all that behind, and I'm a manager at a used car dealership because that is more conducive to being a dad.” He shares sadly, “I have twin boys that are 18. They were robbed of their childhood. I was robbed of my career, my relationship with family and friends.” Earlier this year, he also got back his now four-year-old son, who is starting to thrive. “There have been a lot of big things that we've accomplished in the last six to eight months.” He equates his strategy to the boxer Muhammad Ali’s Rope-a-dope. “I just kept taking it and kept taking it and never walked out on my kids. I kept taking it because I knew the truth would eventually become evident.” Dr. Sulaiman sees a bright side, saying his experience taught him humility. “I can understand other people's points of view now much better and don't always take things at face value. Because of this, my relationship with my sons is very strong.”

community as well as the mosque that he attends. “Unfortunately, these problems are rampant throughout many communities, so I am sometimes looked upon to coach someone going through a similar situation or speak to a group of men.” He adds, “Giving up is not an option, and that's what I would like to pass on. . . My motto used to be ‘Failure is not an option,’ but as long as we don't quit, we will fail, and we will lose battles, but the war and the ultimate goal have to stay in sight so that one can still be propelled forward to go through another rough patch. These children need their best shot in life, so dads have to step up. Every man should have another man they trust and love, such as a father, an elder brother, or clergy, somebody they can bounce ideas off of and make sure that what they're planning and thinking is appropriate. Iron sharpens iron, and that is a very strong motto. I was very fortunate to have good role models for myself to follow.” His wish is that “in the future, officers are better trained, and different barriers are put in place where a man's voice is also heard.”

“Giving Up is Not an Option…”

Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.

- Sharon Salzberg

STAND, Inc. standinc.com

404.288.4668

3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032

STAND, Inc.

Getting the Word Out :

R aymond Oquendo-Duke is the PCT (Project Connect Treatment) coordinator for STAND. PCT is part of the CSAT (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment) program funded by SAMHSA. Raymond majored in social work and minored in theology. He got his degree in Cleveland, Ohio, in the 80s when AIDS first came on the scene. He worked with a

Raymond shares, “I do whatever I can do. . . working with politicians, congressmen, councilmen, and commissioners here in metro Atlanta and specifically DeKalb County to save lives and educate people who don't even know that we're in their backyard.” PCT also provides interventions for groups using therapy such as Thinking for a Change and MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy). One happy requirement is to report success stories. Raymond tells the story: “There was a man who was homeless, doing drugs, and we recruited him. We talked to him about our program. At first, he was not ready, so he would go to the DOOR. Finally, he got enrolled in substance abuse, a six- month IOP treatment program. He found a good job and found an apartment.” PCT reached out to a long-term housing facility, where, “as long as they pay their rent, they can stay there indefinitely. He got into that program, so he has housing, and he has a job.” The client is HIV positive and has been receiving free medical care. He goes to meetings and works with community

health issues task force to educate the community and encourage

them to get tested. Twenty- five years ago, he moved to Georgia, working in various programs in Fulton and Dekalb counties. Fifteen years ago, he joined STAND Inc. doing prevention education, supervision, training, and presentations around communicable diseases, coupled with substance abuse and mental health education. Raymond facilitates groups in-house and outside the office with the community and local health department for projects like National HIV Testing Day and COVID testing, “where we provide educational material and talk about our program.” He sets up booths at health fairs and food drives. Raymond also does advocacy and activist work with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Help is Here

partners to educate people and share his story. For those who are not ready to take the step to sobriety, he gives them ‘harm reduction’ information, such as a needle exchange program. Raymond adds that regarding ‘harm reduction’ clients need “somebody who is patient with you until you are ready to make that leap. Because for a lot of people, it’s a leap.” “One of the wonderful things about STAND Inc. is that we focus on a broad range of recovery.” Raymond explains that it’s not just about alcohol and substance abuse but also mental health, domestic violence, recovering from the pandemic, grief therapy, and more. “And if we don't have what they need, we don't say, ‘Oh, we don't do that; goodbye.’ We say, ‘Have a seat; let me get you a coffee. . . and connect you to those people,’ and do a warm handoff. So many people say no to you; it feels so good when someone says yes. That helps a great deal. My focus is always on saving lives in any way I can. Saving lives is very important. I’m just here doing what I can do to provide services to the community and to change the landscape to something healthier.”

Raymond Duke: PROJECT CONNECT COORDINATOR

Keeping Communities Healthy & Giving Back Jessica Pfiffer: Owner Of Helix sPecialty DiagnOstics

J essica Pfiffer is the owner and CEO of Helix Specialty Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory providing testing

delegates and directs agendas,

drives manages, communicates, tracks performance, and strategizes. And perhaps most importantly, she profitability, is the face of the company. “I'm a minority woman, an African American disabled veteran. But I like to focus on the fact that I'm originally from Los Angeles. I grew up when there was the crack epidemic, gang violence, high crime, police brutality—you name it, we had it. As a child, medical care was a privilege. In my household, you didn’t go to the doctor unless you were dying. In these communities, we self-diagnose

services and results. “Helix has been around since 2019. I purchased the lab from another owner earlier this year.” She shares what Helix is all about: “My organization provides one of the first steps in identifying health problems. Without accurate testing, you don't have a medical diagnosis. The first way to fix the problem is to understand that there is a problem.” What do her duties entail? “As CEO, I serve as senior management, and I'm a member of the board, so I'm responsible for the overall success and operation of the company.” She

“LIFE HAS BLESSED ME, SO IT’S MY DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO PAY IT FORWARD.”

and self-treat. We are underprivileged and underserved, and as humans, we're creatures of habit, products of our environment. My mother was a teen mom; I was a teen mom. I didn't receive a professional pregnancy test until I was in my second trimester, which shows the importance of testing and I want it to be there.” Jessica had a child at 16 but was determined to move forward. “I joined the military when I was 18, got my bachelor's degree, and by 24, I started my career in IT. I became a system engineer, got my graduate degree in IT management, and fast-tracked my way up to senior management at one of the world's top five defense contracting companies. Being successful in that career gave me the leverage today to be blessed with the resources to build a company that serves the community—that makes a difference. Healthcare is a necessity, but unfortunately, it's a privilege for many Americans. Life has blessed me, so it’s my duty and obligation to pay it forward.” The goal at Helix is to provide affordable testing with

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Keeping Communities Healthy

& Giving Back cOntinUeD...

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a fast turnaround time and the same level of service typically offered to higher social classes. “At Helix, our main goal is to bridge that healthcare gap. We want to ensure that those underserved communities have access to the latest and most advanced tests in the market.” This includes three new-to-the-market tests in one: COVID, flu (A&B), and RSV, to fight the current triple demic. And she cares. “When we talk about building communities, we have to focus on the overall health of the community. Here at Helix, the tests we offer provide results. It’s important to know where you're at, to know where you're going.” Speaking of healthy communities, Helix also does its share for those in recovery. “We do drug tests—we work with many rehabilitation centers.” Helix tests not only for illicit drugs but also works with doctors to ensure patients taking prescribed medications are not abusing those drugs. Jessica’s ultimate goal? “I want to inspire young black and brown boys and girls through my story because you can't reach the people if you're not where they're at.”

SPECIALTY DIAGNOSTICS

H elix offers toxicology testing services to a variety of industries, including physician offices, employers, government agencies, health clinics, pain management practitioners, and rehabilitation centers. Our ServiceS • Toxicology Confirmation • Toxicology Screening • CBD and Validity Testing • Molecular Diagnostics & Genetic Testing

• Women’s Health and STI Testing • Virology and Immunology Testing

CONTACT HELIX TODAY! 11829 DORSETT ROAD MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO 63043 (O) 314.455.2777 EMAIL: INFO@HELIXSD.COM WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.HELIXSD.COM

STAND, Inc.

Call 404.288.4668

STANDINC.COM 3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30032

DON’T BE ashamed OF YOUR STORY, IT WILL inspire OTHERS.

STAND, Inc.

standinc.com

404.288.4668

3486 Covington Hwy Decatur, ga 30032

Standing To Achieve New Direction

3486 Covington Hwy, Decatur, ga 30032

Call: 404.288.4668

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