We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jacqueline Silva. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jacqueline below.

Jacqueline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

One pivotal lesson from my prior experiences, which profoundly influences my role as a co-founder of CORRE, revolves around the dynamic interplay of enthusiasm, patience, and mentorship. Throughout my educational and professional journey, the best lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t know what you don’t know. This realization, especially during the early stages of any new career opportunity, has been instrumental. In those early stages, I discovered that each industry, company, and office possesses its own unique customs, culture, and day-to-day language, often concealed from an external perspective. Despite grappling with imposter syndrome and feelings of under-qualification, I consistently approached new roles with enthusiasm to learn, a deep respect for established processes, and the patience to evolve alongside the organization. The linchpin for success in these situations always involved finding supportive peers or mentors willing to invest their time, effort, and patience in guiding me through the transition. Embracing diverse approaches to instruction, even when familiar with a particular process, provided a comprehensive understanding of tasks and their execution within a specific space. Building camaraderie and trust through thoughtful questioning and suggesting innovations only after mastering existing processes became a hallmark of my approach. Now, as a co-founder of CORRE, this foundational lesson has taken center stage. We find ourselves in a unique position to shape our organization’s culture and practices. Our commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration within CORRE is rooted in the collective wisdom gained from past experiences. We understand that success in our mission hinges on the strength of our internal dynamics, guided by a culture that values learning, respects established processes, and fosters collaboration with our community partners. The journey from initial lessons to their application as co-founders underscores the enduring importance of enthusiasm, patience, and mentorship in our professional endeavors.

Jacqueline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In my hometown in rural Louisiana, where substance use disorder weaves its tendrils through the fabric of the community, the odds were stacked against me. Limited educational opportunities and the relentless cycle of addiction painted a bleak picture. Yet, my journey is a testament to resilience—a story that illustrates the triumph over adversity.

It all began with a broken ankle, a seemingly innocuous incident that unraveled into a personal struggle with substance use disorder. Prescribed potent opioids after surgery, I inadvertently stepped onto a precarious path. When the prescriptions dwindled, the grip of dependence tightened, leading me down a perilous road. This marked the commencement of a journey that often concludes in tragedy.

In the face of this struggle, I found the strength to seek life-changing resources. While I consider myself fortunate to have overcome the clutches of substance use, the stark reality remains—many others are not as fortunate. The lack of effective medications to treat substance use disorders, coupled with the exorbitant costs of recovery and rehabilitation programs, renders the path to recovery particularly arduous, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities like mine.

My journey became the catalyst for a commitment to community outreach. As I progressed in my academic and professional pursuits, my commitment materialized into tangible action with the co-founding of Community Overdose Response and Recovery Effort (CORRE). CORRE has provided opioid education and naloxone administration training to nearly 300 individuals, and we have distributed 192 doses of naloxone to date. We are currently working to develop an app that will prevent overdose deaths.

My resilience is not just a personal triumph; it is a commitment to uplifting others from disadvantaged backgrounds. It serves as a beacon of hope for those who have faced similar struggles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.corre-app.org/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/community-overdose-response-and-recovery-effort/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@corre499