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, cook, and spend time with her family.
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.
Matt Davis, BS. Reentry Participant Navigator
Matt is a Dixie County native who has traveled through many different chapters on this earth. Originally a firefighter paramedic and set for medical school, Matt adapted habits and coping skills which resulted in lived experiences in homelessness, substance use treatment, mental health, and the carceral system. For the last decade, Matt has worked with those whose experience mirrors his own. With a Bachelors degree in Human Services, multiple certifications (WRAP, MHFA,YMHFA, etc.), and his lived experience, Matt applies his unique perspective to each participant to create a personalized and detailed method of support. In his off time, Matt enjoys making, recording, and performing rock, rap, and country music, and spending time with his wonderful girlfriend. Matt believes dogs are angels.
Tim Bryant, Office Operations Coordinator
Tim was born in Gainesville and is passionate about supporting our incarcerated and formerly incarcerated community. Tim attended UF and holds his bachelor's degree in Sociology. Professionally he has managed finances and logistics in the non-profit sector for the last decade. Tim has brought meditation and spiritual classes into Florida prisons for over 20 years. The power and beauty of those gatherings lives in the simplicity of being able to experience our inner well being when we can create a space of stillness and rest for ourselves. This led Tim to found One Love Prison Meditation Project in 2018. Tim also enjoys being in the mountains and sitting by a river, yummy desserts, and relaxing hangs with loved ones.
Autumn Jackson, B.S. Finance & Administrative Coordinator
Autumn is a newcomer to Florida, and seeks to bring the cornfields and efficiency of Chicago to our locale. Built on a foundation of experience in crisis, foster youth systems, and simple enjoyment, a meticulous system of accounting that is mindful, kind, and transparent, is the fruit of Autumn's work. Advocating for feminism, informed approaches to trauma at the dinner table, and bridging financial literacy gaps, there's not a pie without fingerprints. When not working she can be found with her cats, Peaches & Scream, around pretty cars, or making art.