“Don’t wait for the kids to ask you to play with them. Walk over to them, introduce yourself, and ask them to play with you.”
Teri D. Smith, CAS
Founder & CEO
Recovery Date: August 9, 2005
My career in helping people recover from substance use disorder began in 1999 and one thing remains the same…nothing is permanent except for change.
Once I started looking for my own role models and letting go of the fear of asking for help I began to become the person I wanted to be. Currently I sit on the Board of the Colorado Associaton of Addiction Professionals as the voice for peer service organizations. I’ve sat on Boards for women’s programs, charitable giving foundations, business membership organizations and service organizations. I am an Alumni of the Denver Leadership Forum and Outward Bound. I have been named Business Person of the Year and have spoken on the TEDx stage. My most important achievement is letting go of my own shame so that I can join others and be a voice for those who are struggling with their “monsters”.
I believe that, when given the right opportunity each of us will grow and prosper.
My personal goal is to provide a supportive environment in which my team can thrive….and in turn pay it forward to our clients so that together, we can all reach our potential. My overarching goal is to help individuals who wish to recover from substance use disorder receive an opportunity to achieve their wildest dreams.
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Dr. Alacey Berumen, PhD
Clinical Director
Dr. Alacey has been trained as a Peer Recovery Coach through the CCAR Recovery Academy Certification Program. Alacey has spent many years in the Emergency Room Department helping patients who suffer from addiction and substance abuse. She understands the physical and mental effects of substance abuse and is ready to support and coach our team members through every step of the way.
“You, me, or nobody is gonna hit AS HARD AS LIFE. But it ain’t how hard you hit it’s about how hard you can get hit, and KEEP MOVING FORWARD”
Cedric Clark, CFPS
Recovery Coach Supervisor,
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Date: August 8, 2016
After nearly a life time of drug use and multiple attempts at recovery, being in and out of the judicial system and losing practically his whole life, Cedric woke up and realized that he had more to give than what he was doing at that time. Cedric chose to leave the oil field to pursure his passion: helping others find THIER recovery. Cedric belives in a solustion focused approach and prides himself on being a good listner.
Cedric is CCAR certified, certified personal trainer, and is continuing his education so that her can continue to grow personally and professionally. Cedric is very much tapped into the recovery community and is full of resources. Cedric believes that addiction isn’t a morality issue but a life issue because it destroys life.
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection.”
Charles Van Loucks, CFPS
Director of Communications,
Peer Recovery Coach
Recoery Date:
Charles was named the Director of Communications in September 2020. He began his career in Recovery Services by building an app to help track triggers and successes. He then served the sober living community at Footprints to Recovery. He has also served as a trained Recovery Coach, impacting lives on the front lines of the battle against drugs and alcohol.
“Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she’ll conquer the world”
Laci Robertson, RCP
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Date: May 20, 2015
My name is Laci Robertson and I am 40 years old. My journey began in my youth, when I started using substances as a way to cope with the challenges and pressures I faced at the time. What began as experimentation soon turned into a pattern that controlled my life for many years. I struggled with addiction for much of my young adulthood, facing numerous obstacles and setbacks along the way. In 2015, something changed. I found the strength to turn my life around, and since then, I’ve been clean and committed to maintaining my recovery. It hasn’t been an easy road, but each day clean has brought me closer to the person I am today. The lessons I’ve learned, the struggles I’ve overcome, and the growth I’ve experienced all shape my perspective on life now. It’s through my own journey of recovery that I developed a deep desire to help others who are facing the same challenges I once did. I am a Peer Recovery Coach because I understand the pain, frustration, and uncertainty that comes with addiction and recovery. My experience allows me to connect with others on a personal level, offering not just hope, but practical advice and guidance for navigating the difficult path to recovery.
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”
Alyssa Johnston, RCP
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Date: September 16th, 2018
After almost 15 years in and out of sobriety, I finally found recovery in 2018. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired, having no support system, no trust, no security and losing everything in my life over and over. I was sentenced to a 7 year halfway house sentence in 2018 and completed that program in 2023, nearly 2 years early. I was a mentor to 100s of women going through that program. I loved to show them that “There is hope, if you just believe in yourself.” I look back today and wouldn’t change a minute of it. It’s created who I am today. I have chosen to leave my 18-year career as a hairstylist to pursue a much deeper passion than I could ever get serving clients behind a chair. It was time to give back to the community I connect with so deeply. I am CCAR certified. I find my passion in working with young adult women and mothers, since that is who I am. I love continuing any education that I can get my hands on: knowledge is power.
“The universe will never give you peace in something you were never meant to settle in .....and that makes so much sense.”
Shawn May, RCP
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Date: September 2019
My name is Shawn May and I am 38 years. My journey with addiction started in my teenage years, it crept in slowly disguised as relief, escape and fun times. At first it was occasional, something I thought I had control over. Before I knew it, it became a crutch I relied on to numb pain, silence doubts or just get through the day. This endless and hopeless cycle of addiction continued all through my 20s and into my 30s. One night in 2019 while sitting in a jail cell and facing prison time, I made a choice to take my life back. I made a promise to myself that night that I was going to take all the wasted effort and energy that I put into be an addict and put it into something good that I could be proud of, and that's exactly what I've done. Recovery hasn't been easy but every step forward has been worth it. Today, I'm not just surviving- I'm thriving. I've learned that recovery isn't just staying sober; it's about healing, growth and making amends. I share my story not because I'm proud of my past, but because I know there are others who feel lost, just like I did. If my journey can help even one person find hope, then it's worth telling. Recovery is possible and I'm living proof of that.
“Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be.”
Eric Emery, CFPS
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Date: January 20, 2023
From my teens into my early 30s, I spent almost 20 years of my life in addiction. After being fed up with the cycle of hospitals, jails, and rehabs, I finally accepted that I was meant for more than rock bottom. I dedicated my life to structure, balance and discipline. I recognized that for me to be successful, I had to be engaged in recovery personally, socially, and professionally. Today, my life has purpose, and I find fulfilment in sharing the wins with the peers, friends, and family members that I am grateful to be surrounded by.
“When they tell her story, I want them to say one thing: She overcame everything and kept going.”
Janene Garcia, RCP
Peer Recovery Coach
Recovery Date: May 18, 2018
I was born and raised in Denver, Co and for years my life was ran by The Streets of Colorado until 8/2007 when I decided to enter the Stout Street Foundation program. I completed 2 years later, and still was not done, I needed another round of treatment and on 8/19/2011 returned back to the same program to complete. I enjoy meeting new clients and work wtih Ke"nekt because I know I have give back what has been given to me; a toolbox full of tools and the road to recovery.
Peer Recovery Coaches
We have a large team of state- or nationally-certified peer coaches ready to walk beside you in your recovery.