Meet the team

MRJC Executive Director

​

Marisa joined the staff of MRJC in 2008 and now serves as the Executive Director, as well as Program Director for the 24th Judicial Drug Treatment Courts, Watauga Drug Treatment Court Coordinator, and all purpose mediator. She has a Master's Degree in Counseling (Expressive Arts Therapy), a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, and an extensive history of advocacy around restorative processes, community- building, peaceful conflict resolution, and experiential learning.

Homestead Recovery Center Director

​

Mollie began her journey in this work as a woman who needed to leave Watauga County in order to access the resources she needed to have an opportunity at recovery. She returned in 2013 committed to bring some of the support she had experienced back to Watauga. Mollie first served as the Case Manager for the Recovery on the Inside Program in 2018 and then as the Program Coordinator for Watauga LEAD and Recovery on the inside from 2020-2022 before beginning her new role as Center Director for Homestead Recovery in 2023. Mollie holds B.S and M.S degrees in Social Work from Appalachian State University and received the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Award for Non-Profit Business Professional in 2021. Mollie is a Watauga County native and continues to experience the gifts of recovery living in the Western end of the county with her husband and their six children.

Community & Programs Specialist

Project Director for MRJC ARC INSPIRE Initiatives

​

Mackenzie came to Boone from Charlotte in 2014 to study history at Appalachian State University. Studying histories of social justice, a part-time job in the school system, and an introductory social work course eventually led her to pursue a Masters of Social Work. She holds a B.S degree in Applied and Public History with a minor in Africana Studies and a M.S. degree in Social Work with a concentration in Communities and Organizations, both from ASU. She completed her second year MSW field experience as an intern at MRJC in 2019-2020 and has since worked in both juvenile and adult services here. Mackenzie now serves as a Community & Program Specialist for MRJC and loves the macro social work she has the opportunity to practice! She lives in Foscoe with her dog Murphy, volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem for Wilkes County, and is continuously learning about and working on her recovery allyship. 

​

LEAD Clinical Case Manager

​

Dale joined MRJC in 2021 and serves as the Clinical Case Manager for the Watauga LEAD Program. Dale received his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University and is a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist.  After entering recovery in Detroit, Michigan in 1985 Dale returned to the mountains and his family in 1992 and has been a resident of Ashe country since . 

Recovery on the Inside Clinical Case Manager

​

Sydney's passion to advocate and serve others has shaped her into being a Recovery Ally. She holds a  Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate certification to better serve the population with their mental health as well as their substance use. Sydney is a native to Watauga County, who graduated with her Masters in Social Work at Appalachian State University. She started with LEAD as a MSW intern and now gladly serves as our Clinical Case Manager for Recovery on the Inside. 

Recovery on the Inside Peer Support Specialist

​

Tripp is a passionate & proud member of Homestead Recovery Center. He serves as a Peer Support Specialist for both the Recovery On The Inside & Watauga LEAD programs, finding his stride in supporting those "in the gap" between incarceration or houselessness to treatment and supportive living. Being a person in long-term recovery himself, Tripp understands the importance of having compassionate-support in order to know that there is always Hope. Tripp holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Education & Theatre Arts from Appalachian State University and is also a Watauga County native. Over the years, Tripp has called both North Carolina and Wyoming home, serving as a Wildland-Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service and Chief Hike-Leader for an organization that caters to individuals struggling with addiction, by implementing ‘Wilderness-Therapy’ as a deliberate-conduit in ones’ journey to healing and finding serenity.

Peer Services Coordinator

​

Liana is eager to support individuals along their recovery journey and is a person with lived experience. Liana joined the MRJC team in 2022 as the Watauga LEAD and Recovery on the Inside Program Associate and found her niche in the harm reduction aspect of the work. Liana now serves as the Peer Services Coordinator for Homestead, supporting peers and staff as they navigate through center services and managing our Harm Reduction supplies. Liana holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and plans to attend an MSW program in the Fall of 2023. 

LEAD Peer Support Specialist

​

Pam Greer is a Boone native who has a calling to help and support others in their recovery wherever that may be. She is very passionate about helping others and wants to help each individual be the best person possible. She has been down her own path of addiction and wants to help others experience the joy that recovery can bring to the life of someone broken. She is excited and proud to be part of the Homestead team and looks forward to being a link in the chain, a piece to the puzzle that helps paint a beautiful picture. She has a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter who support her recovery journey.

Volunteer

Transportation Ally

​

Ken began volunteering in 2022. He is a retired software developer who moved to Boone from West Virginia in 2014. For the past 14 years, Ken has volunteered through local jail and prison ministry  and completed Recovery Coaching Academy in 2022. 

Social Work Intern

​

David started his internship in 2023 while completing a bachelor's degree in Social Work at Appalachian State University. Originally from Monroe, NC, David has worked with low-income individuals in community shelters in Union and Watauga counties. He wants to provide necessary resources to individuals and their communities so they can become more healthy and sustainable. After graduation, David seeks to attend graduate school and eventually move to New York to continue his career in community development.

Social Work Intern

​

​Jessica Nash is an intern at the Homestead Recovery Center for the Spring of 2023. She is pursuing her Bachelors in Social Work at Appalachian State University with a minor in political science. She is seeking to work in community development, administration, and advocacy within communities.

Psychology Intern

​

Ashby is a senior this year at Appalachian State and is interning with the Homestead Recovery Center for the spring 2023 semester. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Social Work. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work and eventually her LCSW. She hopes to work in either Addiction Counseling or Restorative Justice. Ashby says that she loves working with people within the community and building relationships.

Criminal Justice Intern

​

Macey is interning with Recovery on the Inside for the spring 2023 semester. She will be graduating from Appalachian State University in May with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She wants to pursue a career in reentry programs for incarcerated individuals in transition. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in social work and get her clinical licensure to further her education.

Sociology Intern

​

Faith Ann is currently interning with Homestead while majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology, Deviance, and Law at Appalachian State University. After graduation Faith Ann plans on pursuing a career in restorative justice, and obtaining her MSW. Faith Ann says she has loved being able to build meaningful relationships with the clients during her internship.

Criminal Justice Intern

​

Kyle Neal is interning with Watauga LEAD for the spring 2023 semester. Graduating from Appalachian State University in May, he is a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Sociology. He is wanting to work in restorative justice settings helping people in recovery and crisis. After graduation Kyle wants to attend law school to further his education