In this episode:

Traci Jones was a co-founder of Trillium Drop-In Center in Woodbridge, VA and the founder and Executive Director of Rise Phoenix Rise, an animal-assisted wellness program for mental health peers. Traci has served on many various boards, including the Regional Recovery Work Group in Northern Virginia and currently with VOCAL., a statewide peer mental health group. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) facilitator, certified in Mental Health First Aid, certified in REVIVE (naloxone administration for opioid overdose), is SMART Recovery certified and has earned a BS in Psychology and a MA in Human Services. She is currently a PhD candidate in Organizational Leadership. She has previous work experiences at ChildHelp, USA, a residential treatment facility for children, ACTS/Turning Points, a domestic violence program in Prince William County, VA, and at Friends 4 Recovery, a peer-run center in Chesterfield, VA.

Traci has many struggles, both mentally and physically. She is legally blind and has some hearing loss. She has a mitochondrial mutation which affects her nerves and causes chronic problems and pain, she finds herself hospitalized frequently. This does not stop her. Her resilience drives her to help others. Her motto is “it is what it is, everyday is an adventure.” She strives to help everyone be their best.

#IfYouCouldSeeMe: https://youtu.be/b21utJF6_yE
Rise Phoenix Rise: https://risephoenixrise.org/
Trillium Drop-in Center:
https://trilliumcenterinc.org/

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