I serve as the Coweta Connections Team Lead. I am a person in long term recovery from any substance use, and what that means to me is I have not felt the need to use any substances since January 16, 2018.

 

I am committed to living recovery out loud and I believe in multiple pathways to recovery for the individual, family and communities as a whole.

 

I am a mother of 3 beautiful, young children. Today I cherish the moments I have with them. Because of my recovery, I am able to be a role model in their lives and the mother they deserve. I am so grateful that my lived experience of losing custody of my children and being hopeless in addiction can now be used to provide someone with hope that no matter where they are, recovery is possible. 

 

Today I share my lived experience and message of hope in my community in order to find their own pathway to recovery. It has been a humbling but gratifying experience. I am passionate about my recovery and continue to speak out loud because I want to support and advocate for peers and reduce the stigma of addiction.

For the past seven years, I have been on a remarkable journey of long-term recovery. This journey has liberated me from the chaotic lifestyle of alcohol and drug use, allowing me to reclaim control over my life. Originally from Flint, Michigan, I am now a mom to two beautiful children and serve as a Peer Recovery Coach for the Recovery Connections Team at Coweta Force.

 

Recovery has gifted me with self-acceptance and invaluable coping skills to navigate life's challenges. I've learned the importance of pausing before reacting and establishing healthy boundaries. Even in the face of adversity, recovery has brought me inner peace and fulfillment, ultimately leading me to my dream job at Coweta Force.

 

Since April 28th, 2023, I have been utilizing my training from The CCAR Recovery Coach Academy© and certification as a Peer Recovery Coach by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to support others. I am also accredited as a Certified Peer Specialist - Addictive Disease by the Georgia Council for Recovery and hold certification as an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist through the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association.

 

Beyond work, I find joy in outdoor activities like kayaking down rivers, enjoying bonfires, playing volleyball, and hiking. These pursuits remind me of the beauty and serenity that life in recovery has to offer. I openly share my recovery journey to inspire hope and dismantle the stigma surrounding addiction, demonstrating that recovery is not only possible but also transformative.