Maine Recovery Core Celebrates First Cohort to Complete Three-Year Recovery Coach Internship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2026
Program Contact: Kristé Sprague, Maine Recovery Core Director, Ph.D., RCP-F, kriste.sprague@healthyacadia.org, (207) 610-1606
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, Communications Director, (207) 667-7171, tracey@healthyacadia.org
Maine Recovery Core Celebrates First Cohort to Complete Three-Year Recovery Coach Internship
ELLSWORTH, Maine — Maine Recovery Core, an initiative of Healthy Acadia, celebrated a historic milestone May 29 with the graduation of the first cohort of Recovery Coach Interns to successfully complete the program's full three-year internship.
The ceremony, held at Healthy Acadia's office on Beechland Road in Ellsworth, honored six graduates whose dedication, growth, and service have helped expand recovery support services in rural communities across Maine. Graduates included Bill Buehner, Kim McClure, Dawn Milliken, Erin Melanson, Chelsey McBreairty, and Nick Whitney.
Family members, friends, host-site representatives, community partners, mentors, and Healthy Acadia staff gathered in person and virtually to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and the impact they have made throughout their internship experience.
A highlight of the event was a commencement address by Healthy Acadia Executive Director Elsie Flemings, who reflected on the power of lived experience, professional training, and community support to create meaningful pathways for helping others.
Over the course of three years, the graduates completed extensive training, professional development, and hands-on field experience at host sites across Maine. As Recovery Coach Interns, they provided peer-based recovery support, connected people to resources, helped reduce barriers to recovery, and served as trusted sources of encouragement and hope in their communities.
The internship is designed to strengthen Maine's behavioral health and recovery workforce while creating sustainable career pathways for individuals with lived experience. The program's success relies on partnerships with host-site organizations throughout the state that provide mentorship, practical experience and opportunities for professional growth.
During the ceremony, Program Manager Renée Mozeliak noted that all six graduates successfully completed the internship and have moved into roles that support behavioral health, recovery services, and community well-being.
"These graduates represent exactly what Maine Recovery Core was created to do," said Kristé Sprague, director of Maine Recovery Core. "They have transformed lived experience into professional expertise and are now helping strengthen recovery and behavioral health services across Maine. Their commitment, resilience, and compassion will continue to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families."
The first graduating cohort of Maine Recovery Core Recovery Coach Interns was recognized May 29 during a ceremony at Healthy Acadia in Ellsworth. The graduates completed a three-year internship that combined professional training, mentorship, and hands-on experience supporting recovery services in communities across Maine. Graduates, left to right, Kim McClure, Bill Buehner, Erin Melanson, Dawn Milliken, and Nick Whitney (not pictured, Chelsey McBreairty).
Graduates have already begun contributing to Maine's workforce in meaningful ways:
Bill Buehner joined Healthy Acadia as Maine Recovery Core Intern Advisor.
Dawn Milliken joined Healthy Acadia's INSPIRE Recovery Center in Ellsworth as Center Support.
Chelsey McBreairty became Center Manager at AMHC's Machias Recovery Center.
Erin Melanson began working as a Recovery Technician at Wellspring's New Horizons Detox in Bangor.
Nick Whitney became Recovery Support Center Programming Coordinator at Kennebec Behavioral Health's Somerset County Recovery Center in Skowhegan.
Kim McClure, who had considered retirement, earned her provisional MHRT/C certification, returned as a volunteer at the Machias Food Pantry, and is completing additional coursework as she pursues employment in the behavioral health field.
Their success reflects the core mission of Maine Recovery Core: building a skilled workforce that expands access to recovery support and behavioral health services while creating opportunities for individuals to turn their lived experience into meaningful careers.
As Maine Recovery Core continues to grow, this inaugural graduating class demonstrates what is possible when community partners, host sites, mentors, and Recovery Coach Interns work together to strengthen recovery supports throughout Maine.
For more information about Maine Recovery Core, visit healthyacadia.org.