Team Members

Hi my name is Melissa McElman. I am a person in long term recovery and what that means for me is that I have been clean from drugs and alcohol since October 19, 2019.
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 .

My name is Arnold Morman and I'm in long term recovery. I've been in recovery for 18 years. I was born and raised in Queens, N.Y. I moved to Slyvester, Ga to finish high school and joined the U.S. Army. My addiction landed me at the VA in Dublin, GA in 2006. I decided to make a change for the better, so I joined this new way of life. Recovery is Real and We Do Recover!

Hi, I'm Wes! I'm a person in long term recovery and what that means too me is it's been 4 yrs since I've put any mind- or mood-altering substances in my body. My journey began in March 2021 while I was in prison. I have a passion for helping others seek recovery. I hope too be a beacon of light for my peers.

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.

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!!