Guest Speakers
Spring 2020 speakers will be announced in January.
2019 Speakers
Evan Booth
The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine
Born and raised in Richmond, VA's north side - sober since July 21, 2014. Converted vegetarian who loves music especially anything Grateful Dead. Hoping to share my journey with others as well as let people know that "we" are out there, that "we" are good people, that "we" can get clean.
Renee Cox
SAARA of the Peninsula
I'm a person in long term recovery which means I have not had a drink or a drug since February 19, 1992. I and a Registered and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist II for the HHNCSB. I've been a member of SAARA of the Peninsula since Nov 2013. I am currently the secretary and clothing drive coordinator. I am currently working with individuals with MH or SA disorders.
Elysha Kim
Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office
Elysha H. Kim currently serves as the Programs Coordinator for the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office. She manages programs and classes offered to the inmates at the Chesterfield County Jail including Helping Addicts Recovery Permanently (HARP; formerly known as Heroin Addiction Recovery Program).
Elysha received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from George Mason University where she served as a Project Manager for Dr. June Tangey’s Human Emotion Research Lab (HERL). It is at HERL where she first worked with offenders in two longitudinal studies, Recidivism, Drug Abuse, and HIV Risk Behaviors and Jail-based Treatment to Reduce Substance Abuse, Recidivism, and Risky Behavior. Her focus was on psychopathy and published her work in the Corrections Compendium.
In 2016, she received her Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. Soon after, Elysha filled the role as the Children & Youth Program Coordinator for KAN-WIN, a non-profit agency serving families and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within the Asian American and immigrant community in Chicago, IL.
Ryan Riggs
REAL LIFE Community Center
www.reallifeprogram.org
Ryan Riggs is a person in long-term recovery from a Substance Use Disorder. He has free from the bondage of addiction since April 20, 2015. He is a case manager at REAL LIFE Community Center in Richmond, Virginia that focuses on reducing recidivism, overcoming addiction, and restoring the dignity of previously incarcerated persons. He has a background deeply rooted in Peer Support where he was blessed to work with such organizations as The Mcshin Foundation, and The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine. Ryan lives a life of service that is most prominently expressed in his role as a father, husband, and friend. Ryan credits recovery with giving him a life he never dreamed possible and has made it his life’s work to help others find their path as well.
Dr. Sarah Scarbrough
REAL LIFE
www.reallifeprogram.org, www.sarahscarbrough.com
Dr. Sarah Scarbrough is the founder and director of the REAL LIFE, a non-profit birthed from her program in the Richmond City Justice Center (jail) after continually seeing the obstacles and hurdles those exiting incarceration continued to faced. Her vision was to more comprehensively serve those in adverse situations and through REAL LIFE and the corresponding Community Center and recovery house, she and her staff are able to do just that. Serving hundreds of clients a year, REAL LIFE has continued to grow and expand.
Prior to REAL LIFE, she worked in the Richmond jail for 10 years. For the latter five, she was the Program Director in the Richmond City Justice Center (jail) for 5 years, where programming under her umbrella received international and national attention due to the innovative approaches and proven effectiveness. Prior to this, she conducted 5 years of research on programming in the jail.
Dr. Scarbrough has received several awards and recognitions for the impact her work has had on the community. Most recently, she was named one of the 2018 People of the Year honorees from the Richmond Times Dispatch, she was awarded the Edward Peoples Award for Social Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University, and was named one of the Top 40 under 40 in Richmond, VA.
Dr. Scarbrough received her PhD and Master’s from Virginia Commonwealth University and bachelor’s degree from UVA Wise. When not working, she stays busy with her three young children and husband.
Angelique Graves
www.goodnightheartache.com
Angelique Graves is a published author that has overcame extreme adversities. She wants to spread the message of hope to others about getting unstuck and pushing through obstacles that can block greatness. After a tumultuous childhood, losing both parents to drug addiction, homelessness, and witnessing numerous violent acts, she learned to not only live in the moment but how to pursue her dreams without limitations. Goodnight, Heartache is the title of her book, and it is a true story based on real life experiences. Nicknamed the "knowledge bringer" she has books available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She is currently on a college tour to spread her message of maintaining respect for yourself and how to kick down doors created by pain. Her belief is that we need to change the conversation in our communities about addition and how we provide those in recovery with a soft place to land without judgment or shame.
Linda C. Hancock, FNP, PhD
LindaGivesBack.com
I'm nurse practitioner with a PhD in education who is also recovery ally with 30 years experience in substance education and prevention. It was my honor to help launch VCU's Collegiate Recovery Program. My current specialty is making science user friendly and fun. I now operate a speaking service and donate fees back to recovery programs.
Evangelist Frederika Jones
Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of the Peninsula (SAARA of the Peninsula)
Evangelist Frederika Jones is an ordained minister of the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah who has volunteered with the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance (SAARA) of the Peninsula since 2006. Having served in many different roles during her thirteen tenure, she currently serves as Treasurer of the organization and co-chairs the Outreach/Community Partnership Committee.
Evangelist Jones is an extremely passionate advocate for people affected by the disease of addiction and works tirelessly to assist SAARA of the Peninsula in achieving its mission of supporting people in finding their pathway to recovery and keeping it.
Alethea Lambert, QPPMH, R-CPRS, CSAC-A, NCPRSS
SAARA of the Peninsula
saarava.org
Ms. Lambert is the Peer Recovery Coordinator for the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board. She is a Virginia Registered-Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and holds a National Peer Recovery Support Specialist Certification with the National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). Alethea has been involved in peer recovery support services and advocacy for over 14 years as a member of the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance (SAARA) of Virginia. Alethea works to champion recovery supports, peer support, and an understanding of multiple recovery pathways in her personal, community, and professional life. As a person in long term recovery, Ms. Lambert embodies her belief that individuals living with Substance Use Disorder can lead self-directed, meaningful, recovery-oriented lifestyles.
