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    • Home
    • About Us
      • Staff & BOD
      • Access & Belonging
      • EEO Statement
      • Impact Report
      • Privacy Policy
    • Join Us
    • Calendar & Events
    • Programs
    • Resources
      • Welcome Home!
      • Housing
      • Substance Use & Safer Use
      • Basic Needs
      • Employment
      • Mental Health Support
      • General Health Care
      • Dental
      • Registered Adults
      • Food Assistance
      • Senior Support
      • Alachua County Library
      • Probation/Parole Contacts
    • Advocacy and Support
    • Community Service Hours
    • Historic Events
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Staff & BOD
    • Access & Belonging
    • EEO Statement
    • Impact Report
    • Privacy Policy
  • Join Us
  • Calendar & Events
  • Programs
  • Resources
    • Welcome Home!
    • Housing
    • Substance Use & Safer Use
    • Basic Needs
    • Employment
    • Mental Health Support
    • General Health Care
    • Dental
    • Registered Adults
    • Food Assistance
    • Senior Support
    • Alachua County Library
    • Probation/Parole Contacts
  • Advocacy and Support
  • Community Service Hours
  • Historic Events

Staff

Emily Westerholm, M.S., RMHCI Founder and Executive Director

 Human services professional with two decades of  direct service and program coordination experience. She has specialized  education in substance use disorders and mental health counseling. 

Emily has worked with individuals in the following settings: prisons and  jails, outpatient mental health, crisis services, street outreach, and  community clinics. Emily is an advocate of trauma-informed treatment, focuses  on cultural empowerment, and uses a compassionate strengths-based  approach.  In her free time Emily likes to hoard plants and spend time with her family. 

Leigh Scott, Director of Community Outreach

   

Leigh is a lifelong Gainesville resident. Leigh has worked as a community change-maker with a remarkable passion over the last decade. His accolades include, but are not limited to; running the community outreach program at a low-barrier shelter for those experiencing homelessness, co-hosting a podcast called “Uncarcerated”, serving as a fellow at Community Spring where he co-designed Links Not Locks, and working as a local DJ. Leigh has an amazing wife, 3 dogs, and a wonderful son. 

Jakacia Phipps, M.S. Director of Participant Engagement

   

 Jakacia Phipps is a passionate mental health advocate who draws from both her personal journey and professional expertise to guide individuals toward healing and growth. Her professional journey is grounded in her own experiences overcoming challenges, which fuels her dedication to helping participants navigate their own paths to wellness. As Director of Participant Engagement, Jakacia blends her knowledge of counseling and coaching to develop strategies that address both immediate emotional needs and long-term personal development. In addition to her role, Jakacia is an aspiring speaker, eager to share her story and professional insights with broader audiences. In her free time, she loves “nature-things”, fashion shows, cooking, and attending community events. 

Dana Ebiasah, Peer Support Specialist

 

Dana has a strong background in  advocacy, community services, and work in the behavioral healthcare  system.  Dana brings a person-centered approach her work while supporting  individuals navigate barriers that may prevent successful reintegration  into the community.  Dana brings resilience, empathy and hope all to welcome individuals  on their journey to successfully become acclimated to the community.  In her spare time Dana studies new ways to support her current  community by taking trainings, learning current reliable resources  available in the area, and actively engaging with a subcommittee to  strengthen the homeless prevention services. Dana also enjoys peaceful  walks, and spending quality time with her family.

Julia Baca, Office Coordinator

Julia is from Miami and comes from a family of Ecuadorian migrants and strong southern women. She  has a history working with marginalized people through a variety of community  activism efforts including eviction defense, mental health crisis  response, and Books for Prisoners. Most recently, she was an advocate for those experiencing  homelessness at a low barrier shelter. Julia is passionate about Mother  Earth, writing, yoga, gardening, ancestral veneration, and artistic expression. She is  currently pursuing a degree in psychology. 

Board of Directors

Our board has seen the inside of dozens of jails and prisons; through personal incarceration, professional endeavors, and  visits to friends and family. 


President: Tracey Brown

Vice-President: Kevin Scott 

Board Member at Large: Julius Irving

Board Member at Large: Barbara Reardon

Board Member at Large: "M" Smith


Our board has seen the inside of dozens of jails and prisons; through personal incarceration, professional endeavors and visits to friends and family.


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