Team Members

Hi! My name Tracy Sevast. I am a person in long term recovery and what that means for me is it's been 2 1/2 years since my last use. My Journey in recovery started in 1999 my first meeting was AA at the age of 18 and I started using at the age of 16 slowly progressed over time which led to one thing after another I have been to 30 Rehabs 7 Detoxes I've been to jail multiple times and Prison one time I have been in and out of Recovery multiple times nothing worked until I was ready to get sober August 16 2012 I thought I was ready both parents passed my mom passed when I was in prison 2010 dad passed away in 2012 I went to a halfway house in Wilmington N.C to New Beginnings stayed sober for 3 1/2 years went back out for another 3 years then decided to make a geographical change to Dublin Georgia came to Dublin in 2019 to New Beginnings stayed 6 months there was ask to leave because of my behavior then went to Anchor of Hope for stayed until July of 2020 got an apartment ended up using again lost my apartment went back to Anchor Oct 5 2020 stayed sober since then I have my own place i go to meetings I have a sponsor and I work steps i have a really great job and 3 wonderful cats.

Hello My name is Calvin McNeal and I'm a person in long term recovery what that means for me it's been over 17 years since I used any mind altering chemical to change the way I feel. Recovery has made me a better person father son friend and grandfather but really just a better person. I'm grateful for working in the recovery field here at Rise Up and VA as a Certified Peer specialist so I can be a light on someone else's path of recovery!!

Hi my name is Melissa McElman. I am a person in long term recovery what that means to me is that it's been 3 yrs 7months since I have used drugs or alcohol. December of 2019 I was released from Bibb county LEC, I came straight to Dublin for treatment. After treatment I worked and started to take care of my Grandfather who was diagnosed with dementia which gave me a new purpose and also made me realize I had a passion for helping others . When I saw CSBMG was hiring at RiseUp, I jumped on the opportunity to use my past to guide my future. I have truly found a family at rise up .

I found my passion for working in recovery after completing Promise of Hope in Tattnall County and going to work for them. While I know I had a passion for people I never realized exactly how passionate I was for helping people into recovery. Rise Up has allowed me to discover multiple pathways to Recovery and an exciting new life through the CARES movement. I am 4 years clean I never imagined that I'd be giving back to my community in the capacity that I am with Rise Up.

Hi! My name is John Lucas and my recovery story began June 17th, 2006 after 20 years of use. I am a veteran who served in the military for 23 years. I hold a service position of GSR for my NA home group and chair many meetings. I came to RiseUp October of 2022. Working at RiseUp gives me the opportunity to give back to my recovery community.

Hi! My name is Ashley Black and I am a person in long term recovery. To me, that means it has been 5 years since I have felt the need to use any mind or mood altering substances. My recovery journey started April 2,2017 while incarcerated in Gwinnett County Jail and led me to Dublin for treatment. Shortly after completing rehab in 2018, Riseup opened and provided a safe place for people in recovery to hang out. I became a regular and started volunteering in my free time.I learned about multiple pathways of recovery and how to have good clean fun. The founder recommended I apply at CSBMG where I got a position as a peer specialist at the local detox, Quentin's Place. I received my CPS-MH in January 2020 and followed it up in July 2020 at the CARES 39 Cohort where I became a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist(CPS-AD). I was offered a position at Riseup in March 2021 after being an active member of the advisory board and volunteer since opening. I love my position as a Recovery Coach where I get to help our recovery community and advocate to break the stigma of addiction. I am certified to do HIV testing/counseling and and also a Certified Counselor in Training (CCIT). Today, I have rebuilt relationships with my family and close friends, I live my recovery out loud, all my legal troubles have been completed, and I have connection with my Higher Power. I am beyond grateful for the restoration God has given me in my life.