Crystal Vallee is a speaker with Steered Straight who motivates and educates youth and families about the dangers of running from pain and abusing drugs and alcohol. She shares the struggles and trauma that preceded her incarceration for a drug-related car accident, and how she found deep purpose in helping others avoid the path she took.
On this episode, Crystal talks to Matt about:
- Growing up in a dysfunctional family and feeling like she didn’t fit in at home which led to struggles throughout her life
- Losing a friend to murder at a young age and the damage caused by the lack of proper grief counseling
- Experiencing the trauma of losing her first love to suicide and being sexually assaulted and using drugs to cope
- Being incarcerated and getting to share her story at schools through NJDOC’s Project Pride program
- Getting a job at Steered Straight directly after her release and continuing her mission of educating youth
- How hearing her story can save students and change lives
- The way she empowers youth by telling them they are worth it because her belief that she was worthlessly led to poor life decisions for years
- Her New Jersey recovery community and the importance of giving back
And More!
To learn more about Steered Straight, visit: https://www.steeredstraight.org/
This episode is sponsored by The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers – one of the oldest residential drug and alcohol rehab programs. ARC is a non-profit and was hit hard financially as a result of COVID. For more information, and to donate or sign up for their quarterly newsletter, visit thechanceto.org.
About Crystal Vallee
After years of inner struggle and despair, Crystal Vallee found passion in utilizing the very pain that bound her. After a long battle with drug addiction and related personal trauma, and spending 6 years incarcerated for a drug-related car accident, she found deep purpose within her life to educate and motivate youth and families through Steered Straight.
She teaches how running from pain, burying emotions and using drugs only further creates more problems. Her message to youth is about their intrinsic value and Self- Worth!
“You Are WORTH IT!” is her powerful message and student audiences are literally captivated by her presentation and motivated to make a difference once they hear it.
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