The HeArt of Recovery

NCAAR- Advocacy Program

Advocacy leader and trainers Tonia Ahern and Heather Ogden offer their experience and resources within the advocacy movement.

read less

BusinessBusiness

Start Here

Newark Community Street Team's Divad Sanders: Empowering Individuals and Supporting Communities

Newark Community Street Team's Divad Sanders: Empowering Individuals and Supporting Communities

Divad Sanders of Newark Community Street Team (NCST) discusses the crucial role of understanding and addressing the root causes of trauma in individuals and communities. Divad also emphasizes the importance of relationships in navigating these issues by understanding not only the what and where but also the "why?".Divad and Tonia discuss the vital role of community outreach in addressing the opioid epidemic. The fear of trauma and inhumane treatment within the criminal justice system and how it can deter individuals from seeking help, even when faced with life-threatening situations. Divad’s dream is to have overdose response teams in every county in New Jersey and eventually every county in every stat. He also highlighted the need for cultural competency and understanding the politics of the communities they serve.

Episodes

Newark Community Street Team's Divad Sanders: Empowering Individuals and Supporting Communities

Newark Community Street Team's Divad Sanders: Empowering Individuals and Supporting Communities

Divad Sanders of Newark Community Street Team (NCST) discusses the crucial role of understanding and addressing the root causes of trauma in individuals and communities. Divad also emphasizes the importance of relationships in navigating these issues by understanding not only the what and where but also the "why?".Divad and Tonia discuss the vital role of community outreach in addressing the opioid epidemic. The fear of trauma and inhumane treatment within the criminal justice system and how it can deter individuals from seeking help, even when faced with life-threatening situations. Divad’s dream is to have overdose response teams in every county in New Jersey and eventually every county in every stat. He also highlighted the need for cultural competency and understanding the politics of the communities they serve.

Overdose Awareness Day- Moving Mountains Through Grief and Healing

Overdose Awareness Day- Moving Mountains Through Grief and Healing

In celebration of International Overdose Awareness Day, listen to a tremendous advocate, clinician, and mother, Abby Boxman. She shares her story by celebrating her son, Justin, who suffered from a fatal overdose 12 years ago. Abby harnesses the power of her grief experience to "move mountains" in the addiction field. Abby's journey through grief compelled her to find resources that are vital to healing, such as GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing) http://grasphelp.org/ . Her inconceivable loss also led her to go back to school for her MSW, LCSW so she can help other families work through their loss and the grief process. Do you have a story that you would like to share with us? Email advocacy@ncaarbh.org

We are Humans, Not Labels

We are Humans, Not Labels

Nikki Tierney is a "Wonder Woman" who shares her inspirational story in this episode. Nikki touches on her lived experience and how she fell into advocacy work due to her own recovery obstacles. Nikki and Tonia discuss Recovery Court, Decriminalization, Record Expungement, and so much more in this compelling episode where Policy and Advocacy work in tandem as the tapestry of systemic change.

Celebrating Women and Sharing Surprises of Recovery

Celebrating Women and Sharing Surprises of Recovery

Today we welcome guests Kay Ellis, author of My Opioid Journey through Hell, Hope, and Healing and Recovery Advocate Sheilah Powell CPRS, NCPRESS, RCP-F. Kay and Sheilah sit down with Tonia and Heather to discuss what surprises may await us in our journey through recovery.

Evolution of Advocacy in NJ with Aaron Kucharski!

Evolution of Advocacy in NJ with Aaron Kucharski!

In 2010, Aaron Kucharski began the recovery advocacy movement in NJ. Learn how he turned 30 volunteers into a thousand, leading a statewide program. Aaron cultivated his very own advocates, Heather Ogden and Tonia Ahern, who would later succeed him