Today we are excited to begin what we’re calling our “Spotlights on Extraordinary People.” Where we’ll have conversations with people in our communities, and in yours and, more importantly, we’ll share how they are making a difference in the world. Everyone has a story and we can’t wait to share some of them with you.

We’re so honored to introduce you to today’s guest, because she is someone who is using what she has learned on own personal journey overcoming addiction to significantly impact the lives of others.

Dziko (pronounced ZEE-KOH) Singleton is the co-coordinator for a harm reduction program, a peer recovery specialist, and an HIV testing counselor with the Health Brigade in Richmond, VA, and she identifies as a person in recovery.

Dziko is with Health Brigade, formerly known as The Fan Free Clinic, which has the distinction of being the first free clinic as well as the first transgender clinic and the second harm reduction program in Virginia.

You can find Richmond Harm Reduction on FB, @richmondharmreduction on IG and Health Brigade website, https://www.healthbrigade.org/.

If Dziko’s story and the work she does resonates with you, she can be reached via email at dsingleton@healthbrigade.org (she receives many phone calls, but answers every email!)

As always, we invite and welcome your input! Send us your thoughts on what you like about the podcast, what you want to see more of, and who we should invite into the conversation as guests on upcoming episodes. You can always reach us by email, respectcircles@gmail.com , on social media at https://www.facebook.com/respectcircles and https://www.instagram.com/respectcircles/ or by viewing our website at www.respectcircles.com.

Thanks so much for listening! We’d love to have you subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating and review. See you next week!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The important work that Dziko does right now, and what led her to what she considers her true calling [4:53]
  
  
• The personal challenges she overcame with addiction that now gives her the insight to helps others do the same [6:05]
  
  
• What gives Dziko the courage to not give up on herself and the people that she helps [8:43]
  
  
• The element of hope that she can now give others [14:03]
  
  
• Why Dziko says she had to humble herself in order to accept the help that she was being offered [15:54]
  
  
• What her big dreams look like for making a difference in the lives of those she works with [19:07]
  
  
• The role that active listening can play as a catalyst for change [20:47]

Links & Resources:

https://www.healthbrigade.org/

dsingleton@healthbrigade.org