A new director and two new prevention services coordinators make up the Albany Diocesan Drug Education Ministry (ADDEM):
* Jeanne Cote, a former Catholic school teacher who has nine years of experience in prevention, has been named director of the ten-year-old program. She stepped into the role in September after serving for six years as ADDEM's prevention educator. She succeeds Geri Ann Laiacona. Mrs. Cote holds a degree in health education as well as a master's in reading. She sees her role as focusing the program and expanding its services.
* Sister Sue Wieczynski, RSM, the new associate director of prevention education, brings 25 years of experience as a Catholic school teacher to her position. She has a master's degree in pastoral ministry, was involved in high school religious education, and has been an active member of the ADDEM Advisory Board.
As a teacher, Sister Sue was involved in the development of the GENESIS prevention curriculum, which was designed for children in preschool through grade three. Most recently, she was a teacher at Blessed Sacrament School in Albany and served as the school's Advocate for Prevention. While she has spent the past few years teaching second grade, she sees her new position as having a similar focus.
"I was geared towards helping the development of self-esteem and decision-making skills in the classroom," Sister Sue said. "Now I'm doing it with teachers and youth. I'm excited."
* Eileen Davenport, the new associate director of prevention services, has been a director of religious education in several parishes, has a background in nursing, is the mother of three teenagers, and is working on her master's in theology. She sees her new position as a combination of her interests.
"It's taken who I was as a nurse, a member of the community, a mother and a youth minister, and it's all come together," she said. "Kids are my first love."
Mrs. Cote believes that the 25 years of teaching experience that Sister Sue brings to ADDEM as well as Mrs. Davenport's experience in religious ed will help ADDEM better serve Catholic schools and parish programs.
All three are amazed at how well they have come together as a staff in such a short period. "We're a team made by God," Sister Sue said.
Mrs. Cote said the staff has come together for a reason: "Things happen the way they're supposed to be happening." (MM)