Calderon, joined their staff to draw blood for drug tests and over time found herself sharing her experiences with clients. So, when Brad Freitag contacted Stafford high schools as part of a new national ARCpoint participation for October’s Red Ribbon Week Calderon saw this as a way to share her story.
ARCpoint’s work this year with Red Ribbon Week seemed like a step along the path toward the parent education and support programs they hope to develop.
When Brooke Point's counselor Marialena Bridges asked if they knew anyone with first-hand experience who might be able to talk to students, Calderon saw it as a chance to help and share.
“It makes me extremely nervous,” Calderon said. “It’s a very intimate part of my life. I guess maybe two years ago I would have been too ashamed … I’d like to think that me going through all of this is maybe a calling.
“If it can help just one person, then it was worth it,” she said.
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