About Us
Mission Statement
Empowering the lives of those with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Illness through Education, Awareness, and Support.
“We often form stronger bonds with those who have suffered the same loss as us.” -Narin Grewal
Vision
Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma (PARS) envisions a community where the stigma of SUD and Mental Illness is reversed through education, bringing awareness, and supporting the efforts of other like-minded organizations in our community.
History
United by a common tragedy, Project Addiction: Reversing The Stigma (PARS) was founded to spread awareness of the Opioid epidemic and find proactive ways to honor family members lost to Substance Use Disorder and mental illness”
Core Values
Education
Through education, we bring a better understanding to the community about the correlation between SUD and Mental Illness, the signs of SUD, and how to get loved ones the help they need, quickly.
Awareness
Through social awareness we bring knowledge and understanding to the community about SUD and Mental Illness.
Support
Supporting other organizations who are like-minded in their mission.
Board Members
Diane Stevenson
Co-Chairperson
Tylar-Ann
Daughter
I am founding co-chairperson for PARS – Project Addiction: Reversing The Stigma. My husband Harry and I lost our beautiful daughter , Tylar-Ann, to an accidental Fentanyl overdose February 21, 2015.
She was 26 years old. She leaves behind her older sister Nikki, 3 nephews, 1 niece, and brother-in-law, Nick.
Since her passing it has become our mission to advocate in her memory for those who continue to suffer from Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness.
My name is Donna Mina and I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 11. On November 25th 2018 I lost my daughter Anna and my life was forever changed. Anna suffered from SUD and it is my life‘s mission to help people understand that SUD is a disease and not a choice.
Anna
Daughter
Donna Mina
Co-Chairperson
Dawn Ferrin
Treasurer
Lynda
Sister
I am a co-founder of PARS – Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma. After the sudden loss of my only sibling, Lynda, it seems that siblings are often left out of support and resources, especially adult siblings. Starting PARS, I feel that we can make an impact- not just for parents and/or children – but for the forgotten siblings.
My name is RoseMarie Aldred, I am a lifelong resident of Orlando. I have a business degree from Barry University. I am the mother of two children, Victoria and Andrew. Andrew was a loving, smart, athletic and compassionate young man, taken from us way too soon. He lost his battle to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in January 2020. As founding board member of Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma, it is my mission to help others through education, sharing my experience, and to take action through legislative changes.
Andrew
Son
RoseMarie Aldred
Vice-Chairperson
Wesley Bal
General Board Member
Rachel Amber
Daughter
I have lived in Dr Phillips, Orlando for 25 years. I am the father of two daughters. We lost Rachel Amber to Fentanyl poisoning on February 7, 2019, after many years of drug and alcohol use. She leaves behind a younger sister, Kristin, and her mother. Rachel was our hippie adventuresome butterfly. She loved life as she knew it. As a supporting member of PARS, I want to help advocate in her memory for those who suffer from SUD, Substance Use Disorder. And to educate on the dangers of street drugs, the presence of fentanyl and the opioid crisis in our community. Rachel did not plan on dying that day… Forever 33.
I have lived in the Altamonte Springs area for 40 years and married my husband Frank in November 1993 and Alex was born June 24, 1994. I have both a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Corporate Communication and Technology from Rollins College. I visit the Enzian Theater in Maitland whenever I can because my son Alex loved going there because he was a passionate lover of fine film and directors so I try to watch the films through his eyes.
Alex
Son
Millie Kulakoski
General Board Member
“Finding peace in our grief.”