Bluegrass Community & Technical College: BCTC Students Offer Hope And Inspiration To Those Impacted By Addiction

Press release from Bluegrass Community & Technical College:

Jan 28, 2022

Published on Jan 28, 2022

LEXINGTON, KY - Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s (BCTC) newest student organization,
Addicts and Allies for Education (AAE), is already making a difference at the college and in the community.

AAE defines itself as "a judgement-free student organization where people impacted
by addiction can come together to support one another, raise awareness and give back."
Anyone who struggles with or has lost loved ones to addiction is welcome.  

Last fall, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society’s service project led by Tiffany Malicote
entailed promoting mental health on campus. One sponsored event offered training by
the health department on how to assist someone suffering from a drug overdose. At
this event, BCTC student leader Sylvia Kidwell spoke about her own struggles with
addiction and her desire to help others through a student organization at BCTC. The
meeting inspired other students, staff and faculty to join Kidwell, Denice Leibouvitz
and Alexandrea Shouse in forming AAE.

Sylvia Kidwell

Amanda Leibouvitz

Alexandrea Shouse

Tiffany Malicote

These women are serious about their mission. With AAE only a month old, they have
already had a speaking engagement at the Chrysalis House and are planning one at The
Hope Center where they tell their stories and offer the hope and help residents need
to take the next step in recovery which may include attending college. Kidwell, Shouse
and Leibouvitz all credit connections made at BCTC with finding and staying on the
path to a new life.

They’ve also planned a Remembrance Walk on March 18, for those lost to addiction. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. for a time of sharing
and, at 10:30 a.m., walk from the Newtown Administration Building to the memorial
fence on Newtown Pike where anyone who wishes may place a padlock in memory of those
lost. BCTC President Koffi Akakpo will lead the walk and students, staff, faculty
and community members are invited to participate and can sign up from the BCTC website. AAE’s hope is that this will bring attention to the serious problems faced in all
communities due to addiction.

This press release was produced by Bluegrass Community & Technical College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.