Meet our Washington County Recovery Core Team
Post contributed by Healthy Acadia’s Maine Recovery Core team.
Washington County, one of the most impoverished in the state, is also a home of diverse and resilient people. A selected segment of this population is employed with Healthy Acadia and is working as MRC (Maine Recovery Core) interns and Recovery Coaches.
No cost training is provided in-house for this position, and ongoing courses, webinars, and company-wide mandated Zoom meetings regularly. Continued education in this field is warranted, requested….and valuable! People in recovery have their own life path stories, which prove invaluable in educating co-workers and providing validity to those seeking help. Each Recovery Coach has taken the week-long CCAR (Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery) course, followed by CCAR Ethical Considerations training. After this, one is qualified educationally to hold the position of Recovery Coach.
Bill Buehner
Bill Buehner is a seasoned employee also with lived experience. Bill has been with Healthy Acadia since 2019 and has 26 years of sobriety. He works in the community and corrections settings and is instrumental in placing Recovery Coaches with people needing services. Bill is always ready and able to lend a helping hand whenever possible while providing structured support and direction. Bill is the Recovery Core Intern Advisor (works with interns who need extra support as well as Recovery Core Mentors). Although Bill is recovering from knee surgery, which prevents fluid mobility, he is available via Zoom, Text, Facetime, and any other technology that allows an interaction between himself and another. His dedication to helping others is quickly realized after a simple five-minute conversation.
Sean Fusco
Sean Fusco recently was graduated from UMA (University of Maine at Augusta). He also carries the title of Certified Peer Recovery Coach with MRCCB (Maine Recovery Coach Certification Board) as of May 1, 2024. To do this, one must hold 500 hours of Recovery Coaching, complete the required training, and reach 25 hours of CoacherVision (an in-house support team providing wisdom and guidance for Recovery Coaches). Additionally, Sean has five years of sobriety. While incarcerated at DownEast Correctional Facility, he met Gretchen Harrington who was his Recovery Coach at the time. Soon after his sentence was completed, Sean became employed with Healthy Acadia. Sean credits his incarceration as a life-saving opportunity and speaks of it with insightful reflection. He applauds the Maine correctional system for giving people a second chance and a life that helps maintain sobriety and future success.
Alicia Jonah
Alicia Jonah came to Healthy Acadia and has served as an MRC Intern and Recovery Coach for several months (since September 2023). In this short time, she has taken on tasks that include keeping an adequate supply of recovery-related inventory (naloxone, fentanyl test strips, medication lock boxes, and CCAR training materials, among other supplies) every month, updating the Downeast Resource Guide, and will be graduating in December 2024 from University of Maine at Machias with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well as her MHRT (Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician) certificate. Alicia has accomplished these things while living life solo with her teenage son. Although she is considered an “affected other,” Alicia can empathize with her Recoverees and work with them on their paths toward recovery, wellness, and success. We wish Alicia well as she continues to provide Healthy Acadia with her Recovery Coaching services in a volunteer position as of May 2024 as she focuses on her studies and her professional cleaning business.
Chelsey McBreairty
Chelsey McBreairty is a young woman with lived experience and a busy life. Her young daughter lives with her and often accompanies her Mom after school when she is at work coordinating the Down East Recovery Center on Free Street in Machias. Chelsey also serves as Peer Support Specialist through AMHC (Aroostook Mental Health Center). Chelsey was instrumental in coordinating with our Community partner, Eastport Health care in setting up the popular monthly Produce Day at no cost to participants. Produce Day has become a favorite event for many, providing a healthy benefit while supplementing one's food budget. This monthly occurrence is sometimes combined with a mini cooking class provided by Shannon Cherry, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) educator or other informational programs that include local non-profit helping agencies. Chelsey’s “sober date” is 11-28-2019. Educational pursuits include obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree with a projected graduation of December 2024. Her focus is Psychology and Community Studies with a concentration in Substance Use Rehabilitation. Chelsey also has aspirations of one day having a Master’s Degree, which, undoubtedly, she will acquire.
Kim McClure
Kim McClure has been an MRC Intern and Recovery Coach since March 2023. In addition, she provides transportation for the residents of Safe Harbor to various locations throughout the county. Transportation to grocery shopping, pharmacy, and Career Center and Human Services appointments have been provided every week. Kim also “markets” the Recovery Coaching program by posting informational fliers on bulletin boards in local area towns. Another task Kim is involved with is assisting in keeping Healthy Acadia’s community Backpack program fully stocked with freshly laundered clothing that is ready to wear and available at no cost. Appointments to select clothing can be made with Gretchen Harrington at 207-479-6287. Kim is also an “affected other” and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services as a non-traditional student. Graduating from college with a Bachelor's Degree at 39 was a proud moment for Kim.
This small group of people have a common goal related to people in recovery.
A community resource, advocate, and simply a supportive confidant to those who are facing addiction of any kind (substance use, gambling, food consumption, etc.) is shared among all Recovery Coaches. Encouragement is extended to those who would like this type of support. One can reach out to Healthy Acadia in several ways. The website for Healthy Acadia provides references for assistance. If not near a computer, a call to 207-255-3741 can connect to Healthy Acadia, services, and people.