We had the good fortune of connecting with Martine Helou-allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Martine, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
I have two boys. Currently, both are teenagers navigating their emotions and rapid development in the context of a world of influence that changes its priorities and preferences almost daily. The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is raise them to understand that they have power to put the world in proper perspective. I always encourage them to adopt a perspective that ultimately aligns their choices with their belief in God’s love and purpose for them and every facet of their lives. Essentially, I am teaching them the vital skill of self-regulation motivated by righteous discernment, which avoids chaos and provides them opportunities to live life to the fullest. My boys have surely memorized this “life rule” that I have repeated to them countless times over the years, and I pray they will always remember it and apply it: “If it’s not good (i.e. righteous), it’s not of God; and if it’s not of God, it’s not for me.”

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
RIZE Prevention is a non-profit organization that I established in June of 2021. This organization is dedicated to stopping addiction before it starts by empowering teens to resist drug use and make healthy lifestyle choices. My journey to founding RIZE started in 2017 and there were many challenges I encountered along the way. The greatest challenges came in the form of people’s “naysaying” or their interjecting pessimism into the possibility of me seeing my vision for RIZE realized. The way I overcame those challenges was to stay focused on the conviction that God had given me about starting the organization and faithfully pursuing paths of least resistance. I had to walk away from doors that did not want to be opened, reserving that energy to faithfully and intentionally pursue development opportunities that seemed to ‘fall into my lap’. I have learned countless lessons during this journey, so far, the most important of which is that I am not in charge of creating opportunities. The only thing I have control over is being prepared, confident, and passionate to capitalize on opportunities I have been blessed to receive. What I’d like the world to know about RIZE Prevention is that this organization was founded for the sole purpose of ‘loving young people into greatness’. Every teen deserves a life free from drug use and addiction- a life that culminates in the joyful fulfillment of their authentic identity and purpose!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend Dana, who currently lives in Lebanon, were to visit me for a week, it would be epic! We would definitely do plenty of hiking. I’d want her to see the stunning views from atop Table Rock and Jump Off Rock/Horse Pasture in Pickens County. We would enjoy trekking to the matchless falls of Dupont State Park and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at amazing places along the way. Since we are both foodies, I would have to introduce her to the delicious wild game fare of Saskatoon restaurant in Greenville and share the experience of Sunday brunch at Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Walking a portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail would certainly be in order, along with enjoying a performance at the Peace Center!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my late grandmother, Margaret Keheley, for loving me unconditionally and for initiating my relationship with The Lord who is my ‘why’ and ‘how’. I’d also like to thank all of the wonderful teachers and school counselors who believed in my potential and advocated for me to receive opportunities to pursue my purpose.

Website: https://www.rizeprevention.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martine-helou-allen-9323a888/

Other: I welcome those who are interested to check out my faith-based podcast, Righteous Interruption. Episodes and information about the podcast are at www.righteousinterruption.com. Listen on all podcast platforms, including:
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3X48t6nZCtBdI1cBV91xQx) and Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/righteous-interruption/id1734554269).

Image Credits
Madeleine Green Futrell (team photos and the photo of me & mic)

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