Tamekia Blount, Cycle 114

Arrive changed my life in many ways because I never knew what I could accomplish in 8 weeks.  When I first came here to Arrive, I was open for anything new.  The sessions I attended helped me to realize that I was destroying myself by abusing myself with drugs, unsafe sex, and other risky behaviors.  I never really knew the seriousness of what I was doing and how I was living.  I also learned a lot about HIV and AIDS and other STD’S that I didn’t even know.  Today, I can honestly say that I am as much better person than I was when I first walked through those doors.  I am more confident and I feel that there is nothing I cannot accomplish, NOW, as long as I set my mind to do so. I speak more comfortably to others and I know I am doing things like I was before my addiction.  I was always out going and everything I did was very rewarding, especially in school.  I am also grateful to hear my mother say she is proud of me and that she’s happy she got her daughter back.  My family and friends support me and now they keep me on my toes.  I give thanks to God for allowing me to show myself that I am good, worthy and blessed to be here to prepare myself to help another person whenever the time comes for me to do so.  I am very knowledgeable on things such as drug abuse, prostitution, alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, rape, and suicidal attempts.  I can relate to many people by those experiences.  I am willing to help the next person to cope and understand their own worth in life through my experiences.  Arrive really help me to see that I can make a difference to someone else life and how they can help themselves to become better people in their own lives and maybe they would be able to help another.  This feeling is very rewarding and a blessing to be able to do that.  I Thank Arrive for being available to me and teaching me the information I needed to know to better myself and how I can be an encouraging factor to save another life.  Thank God for allowing Howard Josepher to establish Arrive Training for people today to help keep awareness of this epidemic known as HIV/AIDS and how we can live longer, healthier lives.  And how we can become responsible people with our lives and others.

Stanley Marshall

Well, I'd like to express my thanks to Exponents.  I am a past graduate of ARRIVE program (Cycle 110).  When I was introduced to Exponents, I was mandated to an inpatient treatment program.  I was at a loss from drug use.  As I began attending ARRIVE Cycle 110, my world began to open up even more.  I am a participant of the Recovering Annex program now, I'm clean and have a place like Exponents to help me stay on track with my life.  Thanks Exponents

Roy Simmons

First of all, I'd like to say thank God for Exponents.  Before arriving here at exponents, I must say that my life seemed  to have some doubt, but by attending the ARRIVE program - Cycle 108 I received the mental adjustment that I needed to life on its terms.  Each time I entered the doors of Exponents, I have been empowered and I have a desire to continue to elevate in my everyday life.  I consider Exponents as a true spiritual haven that restores not only myself but other as well. I am presently a mentor here at Exponents in the Recoverying Annex, and it is truly a great experience to assist others and give back what was so freely given to me.   I must mentions the staff - Howie and his staff have been very professional  in their efforts to deliver services to the Exponents clientele.   His selection of staff members seems to me to be very caring and concerned with the welfare of others.  (They all possess the quality that I feel is really needed and thhis is compassion.)  I challenge any individual ot come to Exponents and experience this life changing process.  I guarantee that yoru life will never be the same.  Roy Simmons is a former offensive guard who played for the New York Giants (1979 - 1982) and the Washington Redskins (1982 - 1984) and was a member of that team's Superbowl offensive line.

Grace Peterson

My name is Grace I am a 51 year old mother of 9 children, I have been in situations you had to be there to believe it, but life goes on.  This is to say that no matter what life throws at your way, you can overcome it and there is hope.  I was addicted to drug for 20 years, I had my children taken away from me I’ve been homeless, shot, raped all due to my drug use one day I made a decision to change the way my life was going.  The first step was a Rehabilitation Center.  Then I did out patient, Exponents has given me a new way of life, I took the ARRIVE training and that was the beginning of my Exponents connection, I enrolled in the Healthy Relationship program, that gave me the knowledge to rebuild my relationship with my family and myself.  I learned how to take control of my HIV illness and how to protect others and myself.  I also enrolled in Recovering Annex it was six month of education on harm reduction, meditation, and other ways to stay on my path of recovery.  I am currently enrolled in the Women’s Supportive Services Program, this allows women of all background and need to come together and discuss our issues as women, the groups have really helped me an other deal with challenges, on of which was my living situation, my peers helped me to se that I was living in unhealthy, unsafe conditions and supported in moving to my new apartment.  I am truly grateful to Exponents for all that the agency provides, I would highly recommend exponents to people who are trying to find themselves  and a better way to live to learn and to keep an open mind that dreams do come true, exponents also has helped people who have incarcerated get a fresh start at entering society.  I am so glad to be a part of all exponents has to offer.  Exponents are leaders in transforming lives.

Darren Johnson

Born to a mother with a heroin addiction and a father who was not around, growing up in abusive foster homes and the death of a brother and sister started my downward descent in life.  Fighting with issues such as anger, resentment, abandonment, guilt, low self-esteem, alcohol addiction and finally finding out my mother was HIV+.  Filled with all these emotions and fears has caused my alcohol addiction to soar to what I thought was unreachable heights.  Not until I came into treatment and enrolled in the ARRIVE program and became willing to allow others to help me did I start feeling that I am worthy.  Now I am studying for my G.E.D. and my degree in human services and one day intend to help others as I was helped.  Feeling worthless and being uneducated is no longer an issue for me, thanks to God, myself, and the Exponents family.

Edward Craig

Exponents/ARRIVE literally saved my life.  Newly diagnosed with HIV at 50 coupled with again starting over after a jailhouse stint, I ran the gambit of emotions associated with learning my status ranging from fear, anger, resentment, and finally acceptance.  Coming to Exponents and enrolling in the ARRIVE program, I cam in skeptical but by the third week I knew I had found a home and my inner calling.  A non-judgmental atmosphere amongst passionate, accepting staff who truly believe in the Exponents experience and what it represents:  ‘Empowerment through education and community promise.  My cycle of recidivism, addiction and low self-esteem is now at its end.  I’ve gotten hold on the reins of the ‘beast within’.  Education learned and not applied is education denied.  I owe a debt of gratitude to Exponents, who showed me, I too matter.

Brigitte Barber 

My name is Brigitte Barber.  I was born April 13, 1965.  I am the oldest of three children.  My addiction started when I was about 16 when I began experimenting with marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol.  By 25 years of age, I was a full-blown addict.  Soon after crack/cocaine and incarceration engulfed my life.  I’ve recently entered a residential treatment program.  I hope to complete successfully.  I also completed Cycle 111 of ARRIVE/Exponents where I have learned a lot about, not only myself and my addiction, but also how I can help others.  My life today is full of positive expectations and my true aspiration is to work with people battling addiction and HIV/AIDS. 

Jonathan Copney 

My name is Jonathan Copney and I am from Brooklyn, NY.  Before coming to Exponents, I was unstable.  I lost my mother in December of 2009 right before Christmas, although it really didn’t hit me until February 2010.  I was one week into school, training to become a Case Aide (I think he might have meant CASAC) at the Resource Center, located in Brooklyn.  I started feeling depressed and I began drinking, so I did not return to school.  I could not sleep, eat, nor did I want to be around anyone.  I was attending an outpatient program at the time, so I listened to the advice of my case manager and checked into the hospital to address my issues.  I stayed in the hospital for two weeks, however, upon discharge I did not feel any better.  I left Brooklyn and stayed with a friend in Long Island.  I stayed a little over a month and then returned to Brooklyn.  I still felt depressed, and I started to drinking and drugging.  I knew this was not the answer, so I got myself off the streets and was able to get into a transitional house in April 2010.  I had to accept what was happening to me and forgive myself in order to move forward.  I humbled myself and took in the information they had to offer through individual therapy, case management and group therapy.  I also attended outpatient treatment where I addressed my issues with depression and substance abuse.  One of the residents where I stay told me about the ARRIVE program.  I was not sure about the program, however, I called anyway.  I was told that I had to wait until the next cycle began, but I could try the Recovering Annex.  I started Recovering Annex on May 5, 2010, and the support group was just what I needed.  I was not supposed to start ARRIVE until cycle 111, however, I had regained my self-esteem and had begun to feel good about what I was doing. Being assertive, I went to register for Cycle 110 and was accepted.  I did not know what to expect.  I just knew that I had to challenge myself, remain humble and open-minded about the information that I was being taught.  I remember when I was a House manager, and there is nothing like the gift of helping your fellow man/woman in this process of life.  I am a proud graduate of Cycle 110 and I am grateful for the staff and my peers; without them this would not have been possible.  I decided to continue this process of learning and sharing by joining the Community Promise+ program.  I am learning a lot about myself, and at the same time, learning that is important to give back what was freely given to me.  I know that as long as I remain true to my higher power, myself, and those that help support me in this process, I will become the person that I am meant to be.

Danielle Williams

My name is Danielle Williams and I am 44 years old.  I have used drugs for over 20 years.  Heroin was my drug of choice.  I went to various detox and inpatient programs , but never really gained any access.  I continued the vicious cycle of my addiction.  In 1996 I found out that I was HIV positive and thought I was going to die, but I still used on a daily basis.  In 2009 I was arrested, became incarcerated and decided to take a program as an alternative to incarceration.  I was placed in a residential treatment facility, Serendipity.  While still desperate to change my life and do positive things, I cam to Exponents.  I did the peer education (ARRIVE) training for people with HIV/substance abuse.  Today, I am a proud graduate of cycle 110.  Now I am a participant in the Women's Supportive Services (WSS) program, a mentor in Second Chance, a program for people who have criminal justice histories and Community Promise where I am a peer advocate and receive booster trainings and do outreach in the community.  I am truly grateful for Exponents and my life has changed.

Richard Taylor

My name is Richard Taylor. I’ve lived in Brooklyn all my life. I am 59 years old. I studied at the college of New Rochelle for a year and a half. At the age of 15, I started using drugs and abused drugs for 40 years. I used all kinds of different drugs. Prior to coming to Exponents I was a volunteer for the Patient Advocacy Committee. My responsibilities as a P.A.C were to collect health information such as flyers and brochures from other agencies for my fellow peers. I became a senior project worker at P.A.C. and my responsibilities were to make referrals to collaborate with other organizations. I was also a patient navigator in which I accompanied fellow peers to different appointments. I participated in case management conferences. I graduated from the ARRIVE Peer Education Training program of cycle 108 in 2010. I have also obtained a certificate of participation from the Return program. I am presently in Community PROMISE+ as a season peer outreach worker.

Starlyn Garner

My name is Starlyn Garner, and this is a brief snapshot of my personal journey from active addiction and incarceration to recovery and freedom.  During my last 22 months of incarceration, I researched various programs (25 in total), and out of those I received 16 responses.  I narrowed that total down 5.  All of this was by choice because I’d devoted 25 years of my life to active addiction, and was left with nothing to show for my efforts.  I decided to get out of my own way, and allow someone else to guide me in making crucial life choices.  It was a frustrating journey because the 5 organizations that I reached out to responded 30 days before my release date, all telling me that they did not feel I was appropriate for their program.  Thankfully, I landed here at Exponents to participate in their ARRIVE training, and I graduated from cycle 114.   I have since become a part of their family, and I have no regrets.  Exponents has a way of turning what society once labeled the undesirables, and transforms them into jewels. 

I am celebrating 10 months of being drug-free, I am a proud card carrying member of Exponents’ Community Promise Program, and the Women’s Supportive Services Program ( do the Miss America wave),   J where I work with my peers doing service to my community and every week I get to be with my WSS sisters.  I have truly been transformed, and my life will never be the same.

Beatrice Jones

My name is Beatrice J. and I would like to share a brief part of my personal story.  I arrived at Exponents in 2010, after being incarcerated for 6 years in a Federal prison in Texas.  Needless to say, I broke the law and paid for it by losing 6 years of freedom.  Shortly after being released, I signed up for the ARRIVE training, and that experience changed my life and my outlook for the future.  I learned a lot in the 8 weeks of training, and made some very good friends.  I am currently on probation until 2013, and I have been blessed with an extraordinary probation officer, who treats me with compassion, respect, and integrity; not because of my HIV status, but because of the way in which I carry myself.  I have placed a higher value on my life today, and it really helps to be a part of an organization that helps people pick up the pieces of their lives, and put it all back together again.

I’m a proud member of the Women’s Supportive Services Program.  In all of my years on the street, and in prison, I have not come across a person like Ms. Denise Turner, who is my Case Manager. You must know that I have had a lot of experience being around women from all walks of life, and they were not all pleasant experiences!  It was coming to the weekly support groups that sustained me most days.  I have a new family of sisters, and a place that I can be myself, with all of my imperfections and flaws, and still be loved very much.  This is only the first leg of my journey into greatness… I hope that I can continue to grow and one day be able to pay it forward to other women like myself who can benefit from this program.  I have been encouraged to write, write, write, so look out for a bestseller one of these days J

Drasilia Thomas

Hi, my name is Drislia Thomas.  I am here to tell you about my addiction and my road to recovery.  I used most of my life.  I started as a kid.  My family was a partying type; plenty of drinking and carrying on.  I was always around older people.  That is where I started using and my life became unmanageable.  Life was not easy.  Everything I did was for either a drug or a drink.  I survived a lot of situations.  Today I believe that I am still alive for a reason.  I have stole, lied, cheated, mistreated, neglected, and abused my family, friends, and society as a whole.  I was a mess.  I had death happen in front of me and I still continued smoking the same stuff that the person that died was smoking while the body was still in the house.  If that’s not insane, what is?  The sad think about it was I went back in the same house and still smoked.  I was pregnant and did not know how many months I was.  I was still using at the time.  I had no care for the child I was carrying.  Drugs were the only thing that I cared about.  I had my child on the floor in the same house that the guy died in.  The only thin on my mind was the drugs that were left at the house.  I asked the doctor was the baby okay.  My baby was born with the cord wrapped around his neck twice.  I wanted to go back and finish what was left.  If that is not insane, what is?  Life was rough but I thank God that my son is okay.  Today I look back and say I don not want to be the same person I was.  I have my family back in my life.  I am sober today, thank God, first and utmost.  And the people that support me in my recovery.  They tell me what I need to hear and not what will send me back out there.  I have learned that doing it my way is not good.  I have to live in society as other sober and functioning people do.  Thank you for listening to a little of my once, unmanageable life.  Today you helped me to stay sober by letting me look back at the chaos that my life was.  And how unmanageable it became.  After all that I had been through, I did not know what rock bottom meant.  I went through many detoxification centers and rehabs not to mention the many drug treatment programs I ran through.  Still having the ‘f—k it’ attitude.  Wanting to do it my way no matter what might happen.  I can remember my last run.  It was seven months ago.  I had smoked so much to where I really got tired.  I did my last drug, drink, and sex act that came along with all the misery I was causing myself.  I went to detox; from detox, I went to rehab.  Today I have not looked back.  I came home early because I now have a lung disease.  I know if I was to go back to the life I was living I would die.  I am graduated of ARRIVE cycle 109 and now I am in the drug treatment program.  I still have my struggles and I know that at my program there is always someone to listen.  Today, thanks to the drug treatment program and other programs at Exponents, I am going strong at staying clean and sober.  I have made changes.  I have to say thanks to the new people that I have met at the program.  The staff is always there for all that walk through the doors.  How I know this is because I am one of those people who walked through the doors not knowing what I was getting myself into.  I am glad I did make it through the doors.

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