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
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...
... This is one of the hardest things that I've tried to do. Doing this type of work will also help me in my efforts to quit.
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...
... many segments of the community and be to a be a bridge to healthy resources. I love my city and my community and I'm proud to be a representation of positive change.
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...
...I had stolen one of my grandmother cigarette Camel cigarette no filter. I coughed and I gagged off that cigarette-that was the beginning of my tobacco use. Sitting in the doctor’s office as I always do every 6 months. Doctor always tried to get me to stop smoking, but this time it was different. The Doctor told me to smoke, smoke, smoke for 7 days on the 8th day stop. Well seven days I smoked like I always did, but on that 8th day I stopped smoking. I do not know the exact day but I know it was a Sunday. I had cleaned out the refrigerator that morning and made coffee. Broke my Newports up threw them in the trash. 20 min later I wanted a cigarette, maybe not that long. I found myself digging in the trash can for a cigarette. I found no cigarette what I came up with was coffee grinds and gravy that I had put in my trash. That moment I thought I had lost my mind all this for a cigarette? I had money all I had to do was go to the store, something in me knew this was a good day to stop smoking.
It has been over nine months since I have stopped smoking, and it is not easy I still sometimes want a cigarette. Oh by the way I tried to vape because of all that smoke I found myself not liking that either One I could not make all that smoke Two, it was not giving me the satisfaction I was looking for when I smoke a cigarette. I have people I call when I want to smoke, because they are actually going through the same thing. Not smoking one day at a time. To stop smoking is easy, staying stopped is hard.
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...
...Richmond City Public Schools. Tobacco Cessation is important to me because knowledge is power in enabling an individual to make better choices regarding their health. When proper support systems are in place, and community providers are working collaboratively with clients and Peer Coaches, the outcomes for one to stop smoking will be greater.
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...
... that died by the hands of using tobacco products. My focus is on educating people not only about the health risk but the financial benefits of saving money by not using tobacco products.
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...
...the person that is addicted, as well as their loved ones and friends around them. My goal is to bring support, resources, understanding and compassion to a group of people, and the community at large, who are often ostracized and blamed for their addiction. Education and support are key in helping people quit and stay quit.
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
Need help finding resources?
Call (804) 205-3500 or 211