I strongly believe in giving back to my local community based on my experience overcoming adversity. I know firsthand the struggles of those facing incarceration, addiction, and poverty, as well as the many resulting challenges and obstacles. My long-term recovery journey began in 2014 and was the impetus for my life’s focus and work. I received my State Certification as a Peer Support Specialist in 2019. Currently, I am the Program Director for The Courage Center in Lexington, Richland and Aiken SC, I am also the founder of Hadassah Hope Ministries and as Compelled by my deep faith and desire to walk with others experiencing similar challenges, I established Hadassah Hope in 2019, a non-profit dedicated to educating and assisting incarcerated women in the transition from jail to the community. Additionally, I use my experiences from my journey to recovery at The Courage Center to provide support to young people and their families in their journey with substance use disorder. I am an active member of CIRCLES® Lexington County, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring and equipping individuals and families to end the cycle of poverty.
With over four years of experience as a Peer Supervisor, I have honed my skills in guiding and supporting peers through their recovery journeys. As a facilitator of the State Certification for Recovery Peer Support, I have played a pivotal role in training and certifying individuals to become effective peer supporters. My involvement as a committee member of the Addictions Professionals of South Carolina has allowed me to contribute to the development and implementation of best practices in the field of addiction recovery. Additionally, my two-year tenure as a Program Director has equipped me with the leadership and management skills necessary to oversee and enhance recovery programs. My comprehensive experience in these roles underscores my commitment to fostering a supportive and effective recovery environment, ensuring that individuals receive the guidance and resources they need to achieve lasting recovery.