#Angeloms Hopes of Heaven with Freida MacDonald

#ANGEL MOMS... "HOPES OF HEAVEN" A Mothers Grief Journey... Finding Our Purpose without our children

Freida MacDonald became an advocate for the opioid epidemic after losing her only two sons. Stephen died at 24 in January 2012 to gun violence and Michael died at 24 in February 2016 to fentanyl after a two-year battle with substance use disorder.Freida received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Campbell University in 2007 and retired from BB&T after 33 years in 2021. She founded the nonprofit Know Hope North Carolina whose mission is to remember those we have lost to substances, support those in recovery and give hope to those who are struggling. Know Hope North Carolina remembers loved ones on banners and billboards throughout our state. She works with NC Hope team and several other advocacy groups, focusing on drug awareness, reducing stigma, assisting people with grief, detox and recovery. She currently serves on the Board of the Governor’s Institute, a non-governmental non-profit focused on improving North Carolina’s effectiveness and success in prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance use disorders. She also serves on the International Overdose Awareness Day planning committee held on August 31 each year in Raleigh.Freida has certifications for Substance Use Counseling and Substance Use Intervention through Wake Tech and completed her internship with Healing Transitions in Raleigh May, 2022. She continues to do volunteer counseling at Healing Transitions. Freida passed the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board CADC exam September 19, 2022 and is currently working for the hours needed to be fully certified.Freida facilitates grief support groups for North Carolina Victim Assistance Network. These monthly groups include an Opioid Loss Support Group and two violent Homicide Support Groups.Freida works for the Alcohol Drug Council of North Carolina (ADCNC) as a Recovery Resource Advocate. ADCNC takes calls daily for those looking for resources for both Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. She also does outreach in the community sharing ADCNC and Know Hope North Carolina information at events throughout North Carolina. www.knowhopenorthcarolina.com, www.alcoholdrughelp.org