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.
Marie Rodriguez, B.A., Reentry Housing Coordinator
Marie Rodriguez has lived in Alachua County since 2017. She is a compassionate person who values restorative justice and rehabilitation. She has an eclectic professional background with a strong thread of human services and not-for-profit efforts woven into her work history. She has taught English internationally and worked in refugee resettlement in Kansas City, Missouri before earning her B.A. in Sociology in 2010. She has management, business support, retail, teaching and childcare experience and has focused on foster care, adoption and child welfare in recent years, which led her to her passion for assisting justice impacted people. Marie also has a passion for wellness and herbalism and does some coaching. In her free time she enjoys adventure travel, creative projects and spending time outdoors and with family.
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.
Julia Baca, Office & Jail Operations Coordinator
Julia is from Miami and comes from a family of Ecuadorian migrants. 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 uses her experiences in the social services field to be a compassionate presence at Released, and for those who are incarcerated inside Alachua County Jail. She is passionate about Mother Earth, writing, gardening, and artistic expression. She is currently pursuing a degree in psychology.
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.