Claudia Roska, ARC Executive Director & NCADD board member with reigning Miss Wisconsin Central Mariah HabermanTo celebrate the 2012 National Recovery Month, The Addiction Resource Council, Inc. (ARC), local NCADD Affiliate in Waukesha, WI, partnered with the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce to host a breakfast event.

It was part of the Business over Breakfast Series sponsored by the Chamber's Women in Business Network and featured ARC Executive Director and NCADD board member Claudia Roska, along with guest speaker, Mariah Haberman, the reigning Miss Wisconsin Central.

Miss Haberman's personal platform, "A Shot of Reality: Alcohol Addiction," stems from her coping with a mother battling alcoholism and the death of her stepfather, who was killed in 2007 as the result of a crash caused while driving intoxicated.

The audience, comprised of local business leaders, was closely engaged while Miss Haberman shared a heartfelt story of her mother's family history that included multi-generational addiction, family dysfunction as well as physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

With straightforward honesty and poise, Miss Haberman described in detail her life, her struggles, and her triumphs. It was while she was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh that she decided to compete in her first local pageant through the Miss America Organization.

Ms. Haberman's involvement in the Miss America Organization propelled her to share her life's story with others, raising awareness about alcohol-related issues and its impact on families while at the same time generating discussion around Wisconsin's notorious drinking culture.

As a non-profit member of several local Chambers of Commerce, ARC continues to look for effective ways to share its mission and programs/services with other Chamber businesses. When ARC presented the opportunity to present Miss Haberman's to Pat Ornberg, Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce Director, she was delighted to co-host the event with the ARC and share important information on substance abuse/addiction with local business leaders.

Ms. Roska outlined ARC's services and the hope; help and healing that are available through the organization and NCADD's network of affiliates.

The Addiction Resource Council, Inc. (ARC) is committed to serving the residents of Waukesha County by providing education, intervention, assessment, and referral services: as well as leadership; for collaboration among institutions, organizations and community-based agencies.

For additional information, contact:

Carol Hanneman-Garuz, Assistant Director
Addiction Resource Council, Inc
741 N. Grand Avenue, Suite 300
Waukesha, WI 53186
Telephone: 262-524-7921
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.arcouncil.net