Coalition Member Spotlight
D.R.E.A.M.S.
by D.R.E.A.M.S. Board Member, Brenda W. Barrett
D.R.E.A.M.S. Treatment Services, a private nonprofit organization, located at 620 Martin Street, Greensboro, N.C. (corner of East Lee and Murrow Blvd.) is scheduled to open in June 2006. D.R.E.A.M.S. is a 20-bed residential substance abuse treatment facility that will provide temporary housing and counseling for individuals who are dependent on substances.
Brenda Smith-Williams is co-founder and executive director of D.R.E.A.M.S. After being in the field of substance abuse treatment/prevention for over twenty years, one thing she has observed is that “it is no secret or surprise that substance abuse not only affects the abuser, it also touches the lives of family, loved ones, and friends who care about that person. In many instances, these people are the victims more so than the abuser. Oftentimes, they want to help, but they don’t know what to do. In their attempt to do something, they often become enablers, which may escalate the problem.” Therefore, Ms. Smith-Williams has learned that in order to eradicate or alleviate the problem, it is not enough to just provide the tools for the client by treating the disease, it is a community effort. The more ammunition (education) those around him/her are armed with to help confront and battle the disease and the issues that derive from that illness, the more successful that client is inclined to be. Consequently, D.R.E.A.M.S. will be an information source for those seeking to know more about substance abuse and how to help those who are in need.
Brenda Smith-Williams’s years of experience have granted her an opportunity to work with a variety of populations with different addiction problems, including gender-specific groups and adolescents, as well as homeless people. She holds Master’s degrees in Agency Counseling and Student Personnel. In addition, she is credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, a Certified Clinical Supervisor, and she serves on the N.C. Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board as a Certification Process Moderator (CPM). She has worked as a direct service provider in outpatient and residential settings, as well as developed programs in this arena including a State-approved Intensive Outpatient Program that focused on gender-responsive treatment. Having worked as a Clinical Services Director for several years with sister agencies has yielded Ms. Smith-Williams experience as a clinical supervisor as well as with hands-on administrative duties. Her responsibilities included fostering relationships for futuristic funding, collaborating with contractual agencies, compiling statistical data, and achieving and exceeding goals as outlined in grants. She has worked with a wide variety of clientele from different socio-economical classes with one common denominator - substance abuse. Unfortunately, with statistics steadily rising in Guilford County and people still in active addiction, new users, and new illegal substances being introduced, it became apparent to Brenda and her husband Kenny that there is still a need for something more.
D.R.E.A.M.S. will offer residential stay up to 30 days.
Because we are a small facility, one of our strengths will be to establish a strong therapeutic relationship between client and therapist. It is not the intention of D.R.E.A.M.S. to replace any existing service already in Guilford County, but rather to compliment what is already here. However, it was, and still is, abundantly clear from Ms. Smith-Williams’s years of experience that abuse of substances is only a symptom of what the real problem is. It is not a question of which came first - the chicken or the egg - it’s just that until the egg is manifested, it is often only then that we pay attention. At D.R.E.A.M.S., we intend to address the whole person – a holistic approach. We will deal with issues of abandonment, psychological wounds, mental health issues, familial concerns, and other traumas. A healthy-minded person is complete in mind, body, and spirit. Ms. Smith-Williams knows that this will probably not be an easy task, but she feels strongly that this is a journey that must be traveled and undertaken individually by each client to help reduce the recidivism rate. Collaboration with reciprocate agencies has been established and others are welcomed. We can all be a part of the toolbox needed to help clients gain skills to live successful lives. Currently, D.R.E.A.M.S. is working in partnership with Calvary Christian Center (East) through Panera Bread Company to distribute bread to those in need. Distribution is on Wednesday and Friday mornings. This, too, is a tool to embrace and support the community.
The D.R.E.A.M.S. board is made up of business persons, social and judicial workers, community members, persons served, and other professional persons. Referrals will be received from families, churches, local health departments, other treatment facilities, and, of course, self-referrals.
D.R.E.A.M.S. welcomes your support, as well as tax-deductible monetary and in-kind donations. If further information is needed, please call Ms. Smith-Williams at (336) 312-4517 or 273-5306. Mail can be forwarded to: D.R.E.A.M.S., P.O. Box 5408, Greensboro, NC 27435.
