Dawn Grant-Lockley
Dawn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her MS from Columbia University and has over 12 years of working in the field of co-occurring mental health and substance abuse treatment. she works with both adolescents and adults, utilizing CBT, Family Systems Theory, EMDR, and Psychotherapy. Her practice serves individuals as well as families seeking to improve the quality of their lives through therapy.
Daniel Varley
Clinical Psychiatric Therapist at Yale University School of Medicine-Forensic Drug Diversion Program/Living Free Project , specialized in working with individuals and families that are involved with the criminal justice system ,providing direct care clinical services to formerly incarcerated returning citizens for an outpatient clinic at Yale University.
Roland Whitley
Roland Whitley an original attendee of Hang Time serves as CHOICES Mentor and Hang Time Outreach Specialist. Born and raised in Bridgeport, Roland has devoted his adult life to supporting his community and assisting others in gaining access to better opportunities. Roland faced many obstacles in his life that he overcame and has become a role model of encouragement and hope to others in similar circumstances. In addition to his work with Hang Time, Roland is involved in Connecticut Against Violence and My Brother’s Keeper. A life-long athlete, Roland coaches middle and high school athletes in football and baseball. He also volunteers distributing school supplies, clothing, and household items to those in need. Roland uses his life choices and experiences to educate students on how their actions impact their growth and opportunities.
Gordon Lyde
Gordon Lyde, Director of the Waterbury Reentry Welcome Center, which opened late 2021 , Gordon was released from prison in 2004 before reentry centers were introduced in Connecticut and he has made it his mission to help people coming home find a path to stability and better days. Gordon struggled mightily when he was released and returned back to the familiar drug scene before deciding to make changes in 2008. This included becoming a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) through Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury.
Rebecca Allen
Rebecca has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years. Rebecca works as the Director of Recovery Advocacy for the CT Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). CCAR provides peer-based recovery support services to people with alcohol and/or other drug addictions. CCAR also strives to remove the stigma that surrounds addiction and recovery through advocacy, education, and service and by “putting a face on recovery.” As part of CCAR’s Leadership Team, Rebecca directs the advocacy efforts of CCAR and the larger Recovery Community.
Edward Andrews
Mr. Edward L. Andrews, B.S., is a sociologist, author, lecturer, and Urban Trauma specialist. Featured in three articles in the Hartford Courant newspaper, he became a guest on the talk show HPTV. Mr. Andrews authored "The Reminder,” a novel that reads like a memoir of his life from the streets of Brooklyn, New York. Now a long-time Connecticut resident, he participates in conferences, panel discussions and has been a keynote speaker at several events addressing criminal justice and urban trauma issues. Mr. Andrews has tutored and mentored young adults in psycho-education groups, volunteered his services for City Hall in Hartford, and became a Case Manager for a Halfway House in Waterbury.
Monya Saunders - Not Active Member
Monya Saunders is a Community Health Worker with the Transitions Clinic and uses her Community Health Worker training to provide healthcare and social service navigation for women leaving incarceration. She supports clients in connecting with both primary and specialty care appointments (including substance use treatment and HIV treatment); providing health education specific to re-entering the community; and navigating the complex health and social services system in new haven. As part of the Health Justice Lab, Monya helped deliver the WORTH intervention focused on giving women leaving incarceration tools for improving their physical and mental wellbeing. Monya’s research activities now include following up with participants in our JUSTICE study focused on cardiovascular diseases among those recently released from incarceration.
Craig Wright
Craig Wright's life took a dramatic turn after serving three years in prison. In the last six months of his sentence at a halfway house, he discovered a passion for cooking. He climbed the ranks from dishwasher to sous chef, eventually working four jobs simultaneously. A chance encounter with an old friend led him to purchase a restaurant in Vernon. Craig's determination, honed during adversity, defined his journey. His story is one of redemption, showcasing that even from the darkest places, one can emerge stronger. Craig Wright's path from incarceration to a successful restaurant owner is a testament to resilience and transformation.
From the Gallery
