Staff Shares: Kat Pappas

KED & YOU

You'll find Kat's smiling face at our front desk!

How can you help a friend struggling with addiction?

Everyone’s path to recovery is different; each person is going to have a different experience or drug of choice, whatever the case may be. A conversation can be a start; it opens the opportunity to voice your own concerns, while also allowing them to communicate their own thoughts and feelings. You don’t want it to feel more like a lecture, or your friend feeling badgered. It wouldn’t be an easy conversation at all, and this is in no way a quick fix.

What’s one moment at KED that reminded you why this mission matters?

Our annual Rise for Recovery Walk! Especially the last one we did, that one was a different location than the one I was a part of. There were more people, but it also felt more intimate. We were able to honor those that have lost their lives to addiction, while also celebrating those in recovery and hope for others who are struggling to reach that point where they seek help.

What can we do to eliminate substance use stigma in our community?

Discuss topics like Harm Reduction and Trauma-Informed Care. Discussing substance use and how anyone can struggle with substances at some point in their life. Those who struggle with substance use disorders are humans too; they matter just as much as anyone else. The stereotype people imagine is not always the case. There are so many reasons someone may have started using substances. It is a disease that takes hold of someone. So many people think it’s a choice, while that person made the choice to start, they also deserve a chance at the choice to get help, seek treatment, and get support.

What’s something you wish families knew before their Early Intervention at KED?

We always want to emphasize that our services are free, but I think parents should also understand that our Program Specialists are here to be more of a guide. This is meant to be more of a conversation, between parent, youth and a program specialist. We aren’t here to scare them; we aren’t here to lecture them but simply give them the facts and get a look into their lives. With that information, they are then able to provide resources and connections to the next steps, whether it be the S.A.F.E.R program through Horizon’s, a mental health counselor, or simply resources on how to quit!

ABOUT YOU

What’s one self-care habit that helps you recharge?

Picking up a book and curling up with some hot chocolate

What’s one word your coworkers would use to describe you?

Compassionate

Are you more of a sticky note organizer or a digital calendar person?

Sticky notes for small or immediate things, digital calendar for everything else

Favorite Book:

As a reader, it is hard to choose just one, but one series that has stuck with me since I was a kid is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Each of those books has helped me be a reader and stay a reader!

What are you reading?

I read fast, but at this very moment I have started the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman. My boyfriend asked me to read it as it is his favorite.

What are you listening to in the car?

Anyone of my playlists on Spotify. I can go from One Direction to Motionless in White to musicals like Moulin Rouge!

Favorite Small business:

I cannot just choose one, but I love Talking Leaves Books or Elmwood Tacos & Subs!

Favorite Restaurant:

Ilio DiPaolo’s has had a special place in my heart since I was a little kid!

What is your coffee order?

When I do drink coffee, which isn’t often, I rotate between a lite iced capp, a mocha or my boyfriend makes me latte cafe!

Meet the rest of our staff here!