Michael Askew
Michael Askew is National Recovery Advocate who is currently the Project Director for Center for African American Recovery Development. He previously served as the Director of Recovery Advocacy for Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery since July 2017. He served as the Manager of the Bridgeport Recovery Community Center (BRCC) since its inception in 2006. In recovery since May 28 1989, Michael has helped many people get into recovery and maintain their recovery. He believes his position with CCAR has been an opportunity to “give back what was so freely given to him."
Robin Cullen
Robin Cullen is an Artist, Contractor, and Consultant working in the field of Trauma and Recovery. Robin’s essay was published in Couldn’t Keep It To Myself (2003), written by The Women at York Correctional Institution, edited by Wally Lamb. She is currently in her sixteenth year with the Judy Dworin Performance Project, working as a Teaching Artist with men and women in and out of prison, as a performer, and as a Board Member. Ms. Cullen is certified to facilitate all trauma and recovery curricula for girls and women written by Dr. Stephanie Covington and is certified through Amherst Writers and Artists to teach therapeutic writing. Robin has been with Toivo in Hartford, CT since it’s 2014 inception, facilitating trauma, recovery, and writing groups for men and women. She was employed with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, (MADD) for more than ten years. In addition to her prison work, Robin is the House Manager at Journey Home Recovery Living, a sober sanctuary for recovering women. She is also an experienced remodeling contractor. Through the arts she is uplifting, renovating, and repurposing - people, places, and things!
Daryl McGraw
On June 10th, 2010, Daryl McGraw walked out of a Connecticut prison equipped with nothing more than his GED and six composition notebooks filled with what he called his 5-year plan to successful community reentry. Mr. McGraw hit the ground running; in a short period of time, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, both from Springfield College. Mr. McGraw has already accomplished more in his life than many have done in a lifetime. Today, Daryl is a Certified Addictions Counselor, Recovery Support Specialist, and Criminal Justice Professional. Mr. McGraw has over 10 years of lived experience and expertise in urban trauma, addiction recovery, and community reintegration. Daryl’s personal journey through addiction and incarceration has prepared him to be a voice and advocate for those who still find themselves caught in the vicious cycles of addiction and recidivism. He is considered an expert in the field of Criminal Justice Reform. Daryl presents at conferences nationally and internationally and provides technical assistance to universities, law enforcement agencies, legislators, and behavioral health and addiction treatment facilities. As a leadership consultant, he works in policy development, contract management, and project coordination and collaborates with grassroots peer-advocacy agencies and Departments of Corrections.
Laresse Harvey
LaResse is one of the Great Eight inducted into the Connecticut Hall of Change, memorializing her twenty plus years of restorative justice, public health and racial justice modalities and policy changes. LaResse Harvey was single teenage mother of two, when she served a ten-year sentence in prison. As such, she possesses a crucial perspective on community issues and the importance of social reform. Ms. Harvey worked on issues of restorative justice, criminal and drug policy reform, prison and pardon reform, housing, reentry, drug treatment, and custodial parental rights. LaResse Harvey with Tracie Bernardi founded Once Incarcerated…Once INc…, a 501c3 offering peer support for youth and adults currently and formally incarcerated. Together LaResse and Tracie host a national weekly Zoom meeting Once IN Anonymous or OIA for formally incarcerated people ONLY.
Tiheba Baine
A self-motivated professional. Who has experience as a paralegal, public speaker social justice advocate, lobbying and outreach. A contributing published author to RACE EDUCATION REINTEGRATION Formerly incarcerated citizens. Also featured in s documentary. Counterstory After Incarceration. In these roles I have applied my knowledge, expertise and strategies to address the socio-economic injustices of a marginalized population. My area of focus is justice involved, trauma survived women and girls of color.
Babz Rawlz-Ivy
Babz Rawls Ivy is a prominent figure in New Haven, CT, with a rich and diverse background. She serves as the Editor-in-chief of The Inner-City News, a Black-owned weekly publication, and is a Corporate Affairs Liaison at Penfield Communications, Inc. Additionally, Babz is a Certified Spiritual Director, hosts radio shows, and holds degrees in marketing and public administration. Her extensive public service includes two terms on the New Haven Board of Alders and Mayoral appointments. She is an expert in personal development and crisis recovery, supporting women in the federal prison system and facilitating divorce support groups. Babz is a committed advocate for social justice and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is currently working on her memoirs, set to be published in 2015.
Kelvin Young
Young is a certified sound healer and recovery support specialist who helps others come to terms with their mental health and more,
Iran Nazario - Not Active Member
From being a previous gang leader to an author of the book that chronicles his journey, "Rage to Peace," was published by Green Living Press. In it, he tells the story of his life, from violent gangs to working with young people to help them build peaceful communities in Hartford. The purpose of the book is to engage individuals that may be dealing with a challenge or hardship, maybe feel like they have no way out of their current circumstance or that their pain is never going to end. and will motivate them to start looking internally a little bit more and asking for the help that they need.