People Making a Difference

There are so many people in the Western North Carolina region that are making a difference in the lives of those with substance use disorder. And they ALL have a story! Whether it be their own story of recovery or they've been inspired by a loved one's journey.

Noteworthy People Making a Difference.....

Brittany Alexander

Brittany Burnett (Alexander) is a peer support specialist with Meridian Behavioral Health. She is team lead of the Timely Linkage to Care (TLC)

Amy Upham

Amy Upham has been with Eleanor Health Foundation since April of 2021. Eleanor Health Foundation is a non-profit that offers equitable access to addiction recovery, including prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.

Penelope Rollins

Penelope Rollins has been with Meridian Behavioral Health Services since 2007. She is part of the Timely Linkage to Care (TLC) and is also a certified alcohol and addictions counselor.

Nicole Ross 

Nicole Ross is the Program Director at Behavioral Health Group Recovery Center (BHG) in Haywood County.

Brian Goodlett

Brian Goodlett is with Pisgah Recovery Services. Pisgah Recovery Services is a Comprehensive Opioid Treatment Center. What that means is that they serve people who are struggling with addiction to opioids. Pisgah Recovery is a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) facility.

Mary Ann Widenhouse 

Mary Ann Widenhouse is the Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in Haywood County, NC. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness

Patti Tiberi

Patti Tiberi is the Prevention Coordinator at Mountain Projects in Haywood County. She is in the field of substance misuse prevention

Libby Ray

Libby Ray a Preventionist with Mountain Projects in Haywood County. Mountain Projects is a community action agency that is trying to build a healthier community and a healthier environment for our kids to grow up in.

Tabatha Brafford 

Tabatha Brafford is the Director of Community Relations at Appalachian Community Services (ACS). At ACS, they offer comprehensive clinical care from highly trained, passionate staff.

Brookely Nicholson 

Brookely Nicholson is Director of Haywood Community Learning Center (HCLC).This program is one of a kind, not only in Haywood County and the state, but also this side of the Mississippi. They partnered with Drop Prevention Intervention (DPI) to help pass a law that enables teens who complete this program, to erase that dropout status and graduate as a high school graduate.

To find more people making a difference right here in our region, please visit our YouTube Channel.