Free From Tobacco Program

Our Vision

Free From Tobacco is a culturally competent community program designed to remove barriers that traditionally have created challenges for those who wish to quit and stay quit from all tobacco products. Meeting, supporting, and coaching residents where they are on their quit journey, not only increases their chances to successfully quit, and stay quit, but also ultimately promotes overall health, well being, and better management of potential chronic diseases.

 

CONTACT

Call us at (804) 482-8018 or fill out our contact form to have someone contact you about our program!

 

What We Do

  • 1-1 Support to Richmond City Residents to include resources with Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
  • Cessation Classes or Support Groups (Nic A)
  • Linking and referring to community resources including Medicaid, Disease Management, Housing, Employment, etc.
  • Investment in Richmond residents as leaders in the community
  • Compassionate, Nonjudgmental support on your journey to quit and stay quit

Meet Our Coaches

Free From Tobacco Peer Coaches are local Richmond City Residents who are invested in their communities. Residents have been reporting to the coaches that stressors in their lives are directly linked to their nicotine addiction, and make it hard for them to quit. Free From Tobacco Coaches not only know the communities they serve, but also have personal knowledge of other local resources residents can utilize to manage other medical, and personal challenges in their lives.

Rudy

Rudy

My name is Rudy Green, I’m 58 years old. Growing up everyone in my family smoked- my grandfather worked for American Tobacco and Liggit Myers Tobacco Co. I started smoking at the ripe old age of 32 and I’m still trying to quit...

Thelma

Thelma

My name is Thelma Brown. I was born and raised in Richmond. I've been working in mental health and substance abuse for over 17 years. I'm excited to work with the peer cessation program because it allows me to further reach...

Sheila

Sheila

Hello my name is Sheila Goode the youngest of five. I have a degree in Human Service, Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist, and a Certification in substance abuse. At eight years old I had my first cigarette and I’ll never forget...

Crystal

Crystal

My name is Crystal Seals-Jenkins. I have worked in the Mental Health field for 25 years. I have worked in Group Homes, Inpatient facilities, Grafton, Hallmark, Therapeutic Day Treatment, various Counseling Agencies, as well as...

Sammie Issac

Sammie

My name is Sammie Isaac. I have been in the human service field for over 30 years serving intellectual adults and kids. I have 3 kids and 2 sisters. I have a special interest in providing services to people due to the death of 4 people in my family...

Avis

Avis
Program Coordinator
My name is Avis Thomas. Originally from the Philadelphia area, my family moved to the Richmond area in 2004. I have worked in the Mental Health/Behavior Health fields for over 20 years. I have seen how tobacco can negatively impact...

Community Stories Told by Coaches

"An 18-year-old male client has been successful in moving his quit journey from a 1-4. He is thinking critically now about how his smoking impacts his health but more importantly he has learned that his smoking habit is connected to his stress. He recently traveled with a youth development program out of town and had the urge to smoke. He had the means to walk off at will and purchase his own black & mild but instead he decided to hang out in the hotels hot tub. He loved it and found it more relaxing than smoking! In this moment he discovered there are positive ways to relieve stress without harming his body and now working towards learning more."

"We have engaged members of the community who have been searching for a supportive resource like this leaving them feeling inspired and informed."

"I've worked with two city residents that started their journey with me back in November or December. They both smoked almost a pack a day. I took them to the resource center and they both received nicotine patches and gum. Now neither of them is smoking, and they have stopped using the patches and gum. They thanked me for reinforcing their idea to stop and for helping them construct a 'stop plan' to give them a map on how to stop. #freefromtobacco"

Where to Get Your Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)*

Creighton Resource Center
Mondays 9am-5pm
(currently closed during COVID)
2150 Creighton Rd
(804) 371-0433

Gilpin Resource Center
Tuesdays 9am-5pm
436 Calhoun St
(804) 786-1960

Whitcomb Resource Center
Tuesdays 9am-5pm
(currently closed during COVID)
2106 Deforrest St
(804) 786-0555

Mosby Resource Center
Wednesdays 9am-5pm
1536 Coalter St
(804) 786-0204

Fairfield Resource Center
Thursdays 9am-5pm
2311 North 25th St
(804) 786-4099

Hillside Resource Center
Thursdays 9am-5pm
1615 Glensfield Ave
(804) 230-7740

*Unless noted as closed, the RCHD Resource Centers are currently only taking NRT appointments for current NRT clients. Peer Coaches are available to deliver prescribed NRTs to clients with NO CONTACT

Outside Partners Providing FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to All by Appointment

Crossover Ministries
108 Cowardin Ave.
(804) 655-2794

Health Brigade
1010 N Thompson St,
(804) 358-6343

The Daily Planet
517 W. Grace Street
(804) 783-0678

The Daily Planet
180 Belt Boulevard
(804) 292-3011

Outside Resources