Pathways to Recovery (sponsored by Reassemble Education and Training, Inc.)

My name is Wilhelmina Bradford — friends call me “Willo”. I was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago with four brothers and three sisters. My Mom raised us. Over thirty years ago I lost one of my brothers as a result of the horrors of his addiction. I came in the program in 1998. I began treatment at Haymarket Center, completed treatment at the Women’s treatment center. I have had several sponsors and Several sponsees and currently have a sponsor now and have made a beginning on the 12 steps. After eight or nine months in the program my sponsor suggested that I jump right into service work in AA. I have had the honor of chairing several meetings I have been invited to share my experience. I currently chair an LGBTQ meeting. I came out as a lesbian woman after I got out the Army but during my service, I got married and had a son who’s 35 years old and lives in Indiana with my 10-year-old granddaughter. I am soon to be a proud grandmother of twin grandsons. I am happy joyous and free, and I would not have any of this without GOD and the AA program.

Angelia Smith is Executive Director of Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, whose core mission is to “improve the quality of life for the underprivileged and to assist others in times of crisis”. She has previously served in leadership roles for The HUB, Southland Human Services Leadership Council and United Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Coalition. She is currently Board President of Support Housing Providers Association, which is a Statewide Association. She is also the proud mother of two, and proud grandmother of two. Tonight, she will be discussing the topic of Recovery Oriented System of Care.

Wayne L. Williams, CADC/COPA is a Certified Drug/Alcohol Abuse and a Co-occurring Disorders Professional. Wayne is a native of Chicago and has earned his B.S. Degree from Chicago State University. He has worked as an addiction and mental health counselor at Loretto Hospital and in September of 2019 he received the Professional Staff Excellence Award from the Illinois Association of Addiction Professionals for Outstanding Service and Commitment to the Field of Addictions.

Dr. Marsha Gooch is a Peer Coach with Reassemble Education and Training, and has served in this capacity for approximately two years. As a proponent of community outreach, she has provided local and suburban recovery organizations, businesses, and faith-based affiliations with information about our certification classes, along with employment opportunities available to clients pursuing careers or seeking career advancement. She is a cum laude graduate of Chicago State University, and has a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Urban Studies from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Gooch is a member of Who’s Who in America 2002, the National Honor Society, and the Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society.

Norman Larry Littlejohn, CAADC/MISA II has a career that spans over forty-four (44) years in the field of addiction. He has overseen and implemented contracts from SAMSHA, CSAT, Illinois Department of Public Health and Chicago Department of Public Health. He is often called upon to speak at various community support events and the support community. Norman is a proud alumnus of Wendell Phillips High School, and he believes that he is the world’s greatest “line dancer”!

Robert Wiley, CSADC is recognized throughout the country for his experience in implementing and managing Therapeutic Community Drug Treatment Programs. He has served as a consultant with Cosmos Corporation and as a Drug Court Evaluator for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) in Washington D.C. as well as local Social Service Agencies.