"I’m Kelly Nicewonger. I am a person in long term recovery from substance use and major depression. I have been clean for over 7 years. I have worked in the behavioral health field for the last 4 years as a peer support specialist. I’m still very active in my program. I have a home group and still attend at least four meetings  a week. I’m actively working with my sponsor and sponsees. I try to give back what was given to me through service work not only in my fellowship put in the community at large."

Trevor Gates is twenty-three years old, from Sylva North Carolina. He attends Southwestern Community College enrolled in the Human Services and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. He will graduate with both degrees in May of 2019 and transfer to Western Carolina University to study social work, sociology, and psychology. He will be getting his bachelors and masters in social work with a minor in sociology and then a doctorate in clinical psychology. He is a person in long-term recovery from mental illness and disability. He is a person with a "disability" or as he prefers to say “disadvantaged”. He is severely vision impaired, nearly completely blind to be exact. He firmly believe that recovery is a holistic lifestyle that all can find healing and wellness through. His life's purpose is working to improve the quality of life of others.

My name is Lindsay and I identify as both a recovering addict and a person in long-term recovery. (I believe my professional hat gives me a more open approach to some of my language today; however, my personal 12-step alter-ego loves to shine thru, too). I was born in beautiful Asheville, NC and have been on the move ever since! Moving around a lot as a kid, an only child at that, probably played a part into the insecurity and displacement I felt growing up. My solution became fantasy and attention seeking. I enjoyed making people laugh to feel validated and my need for attention was also met in times of "performing" and "pretending". I later kicked it up with drugs and alcohol. I sought the fun, feel good, easy going life. I wanted to be the life of the party and tell jokes at the sight of any real emotion to cover up the trauma of feeling lonely and different. I was growing up with an alcoholic dad and mental mom. Eventually, the party stopped and at a young age I found myself struggling to finish school parents that didn't know how to handle me. Another geographical move and somehow I managed to finish school and was pregnant with my first kid. Fast forward years later, I thought "happily ever after" would save me. Married, kids, house... happy right? Again, covering up my insides- I went back harder to the drugs and alcohol. This time, they would win. I gave up the marriage. I gave away the kids. Finding myself homeless, hopeless, and convinced I would use until I died, I had completely given up on myself. It was that alcoholic dad, a power I would later find, and a small spark of willingness to do something different that saved my life September 21, 2012. A 12-step fellowship, a final bid in county jail, a treatment center and sober living are a part of my story. I've not found it necessary to use since that day and am grateful for it beyond words. 

Shelli Buckner discovered the blessings of recovery in 2011 while practicing employment and civil rights law in Raleigh, North Carolina.  In 2016, Shelli moved to Western North Carolina and began working in the Legal Assistance Office of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians where her work focused primarily on representing survivors of domestic violence.  Now a Tribal Prosecutor, Shelli continues to serve as a volunteer for the Lawyer Assistance Program, sharing her story of recovery and renewal with lawyers throughout North Carolina.  

At Reach Recovery we focus on the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of each individual that walks through our doors. As people in long term recovery, the doctor and staff understand the difficulties and complexities of those suffering with addictive disorders and provide encouragement and hope for success and sustained recovery. 

Dr. R.T. Reach had lost everything to the disease of addiction and found himself morally and spiritually bankrupt in the middle of Mexico. Through the miracle of 12 step recovery he was able to restore his life, family and career and is now celebrating 17 years of active recovery. He is grateful for the opportunity to share this with his patients and community. 

Jenny Reach is a grateful recovering addict who rose from the depths of her addiction to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist. She is currently in school to pursue her dream of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. With almost 6 years clean, Jenny is active in the 12 step recovery community in Asheville and has been a CPSS for 4 years. 

Hours after the wedding we sat down with the newly weds to reflect on the days events. Dusty Kincer and Heidi Davis joined in on the action with cameos from Bianca Dardeen, Rachel Taylor and Deija Burgess. 

Clayton has been in recovery for 4 and a half years. He started working in the field with about a year clean and has grown and made it his passion to help others and put them in the position to succeed. He is the Director of Business Development for Asheville Recovery Center and father of 2. 

Understanding that mental health, trauma and addiction experiences do not occur in isolation, Re-awaken intends to explore the knowledge base and experiential journey of social connection, compassion and meaningful action. These three themes underpin the spirit and value of the workshops and all other aspects of Reawaken Australia. 

Ashley has been in Recovery for over seven years. She is passionate about helping others and finding ways to connect to individuals who share the same struggles and need hope for recovery. 

Emily Malloy lives in Asheville, NC and works in child mental health with early intervention.  Most of the clients ages 3-5 that Emily works with are 95% victims of sexual related trauma. Emily a survivor of  date rape in high school.  Emily kept this  secret for a long time which lead to at the age of 15 struggling with a eating disorder off and on for 8 years and dabbling with diet pills and cocaine in her early twenties until she almost overdosed on cocaine.  Emily has spoken at universities during April’s sexual assault awareness month this past year. Emily has been on a survivors panel at the Living in a Me Too world conference this past fall. This March Emily had the honor of being one of the keynote speakers at Survivor Knights in Philadelphia. Emily creator of The Mindful Evolution project believes in helping fellow survivors share their story through a creative platform of photography and videography. Emily is a member of the Speakers Bureau for RAINN and in sharing her story her hope is to help break the silence because if silence is a predator's best friend then we must rise up and support each other.

"For ten years, addiction stole my life and my joy. During these years, I experienced incarceration, homelessness, domestic violence, and severe sexual trauma. I tried many times to get clean, and never succeeded. One year ago, I bought alcohol and drugs and went home alone with intent to kill myself. I was absolutely miserable and broken inside, so broken that not even my children, my relationship, my family, or friends could fix it. What happened next was truly a miracle, an act of God. Love showed up in the form of so many humans. I was given an opportunity to participate in a 30 day program in Florida and the amazing group of individuals who work here showed me what true healing and recovery is all about. It saved my life. Today I was surrounded by my family and friends who have become family. Today I have real joy. Today, I can heal. Today I have a voice and help be a voice to survivors. Today I can love and be loved. I am so full of gratitude. Miracles do happen.

In case you forgot...

You’re loved. You matter."~Jenée Haynes