Phillip Valentine is the Executive Director for the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). He served as a CCAR Associate Director for 5 years and has taken an active leadership role within this Recovery Advocacy organization. He was instrumental in the development of the highly acclaimed CCAR CD-ROM "Putting a Face on Recovery!" and three Recovery Posters. Mr. Valentine has served as the point man for the "In Celebration of Recovery!" conference held in September 1999 and the "Recovery Walks!" events held in September 2000, 2001 and 2002. He has designed and facilitated several trainings including the "Recovery Perspective – Beyond the Treatment Episode" and "The Language of Recovery". He has consistently been outspoken about his own recovery from alcoholism and cocaine addiction that dates back to December 28, 1987. Mr. Valentine believes that by being public about his own recovery, he can help ease the discrimination surrounding addiction and recovery. A University of Connecticut graduate, he has several years experience in substance abuse prevention and treatment. Before joining CCAR, he worked as a Prevention Specialist for a Regional Action Council primarily working with the Step By Step program – a youth-focused, adult-targeted substance abuse awareness program. Mr. Valentine has worked as a counselor in a detox and residential treatment setting. He is married and has four children. He is involved with several Christian activities and coaches youth soccer and lists his three favorite hobbies as surf fishing, softball and golf.
 
 

 

John Shea joined CCAR in November 2001 as an Associate Director. Along with his personal recovery, John brings extensive treatment, both clinical and administrative experience to the organization. He also served as the CCAR Board President from 1999-2001. Continue to look here for a complete bio.
 




Diane Potvin, the WRCC Director, was hired in November 2000 as an Area Coordinator. She left her job as the executive secretary to the first selectman in Windham after almost 14 years to become a more active advocate for recovery. Diane likes to point out that her sobriety date is on Valentine's Day 1987, the day she started loving herself and loving life. Diane is one of the "founding members" of CCAR having been part of its inception before any funding for Recovery Community Support Programs was even available. She met her husband John in the fellowship and they got married on September 11, 1993. Diane has a son Ric who lives in Bolton with his wife Chrissie and daughter Krystal and his son Nick (from a previous marriage) visits often. Diane also has a daughter Melissa who lives in Texas with her husband David and their son Alex. It is because of these facts that Diane firmly believes that we need to put our positive faces on recovery so that our grandchildren won't face the barriers that exist today for those suffering from addiction to get the help they need. We need to educate the people who make the decisions about 'who gets what' that there are a lot of people in recovery or who support recovery living in Connecticut, even our country. They don't hear from us too often and with the further development of CCAR, that all is changing. Diane loves offering the opportunities that she was provided through CCAR to all people that support the organizing of the recovery community. With a little bit of effort from several individuals a lot has been accomplished. Diane invites you all to attend one of the CCAR Chapter meetings and bring your life/recovery to a new and exciting level.

click here for Diane's story of recovery
 

Michael Askew is the Peer Services Coordinator for the Southwestern part of Connecticut. He has developed CCAR Chapters in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford. Michael. A member with CCAR since Feb. 1998, he became involved in the Advocacy Movement with Friends of Recovery in Norwalk in Feb. 1996 and served as Co-Chair for 4 years. Michael is a gifted presenter and has given numerous presentations on CCAR and recovery advocacy around the state. He is passionate about his own recovery, since May 28, 1989, and believes his position with CCAR is an opportunity to "give back what was so freely given to him". Michael understands from first hand experience, the plight of the incarcerated having spent some time in prison because of his addiction. Michael wants to see more treatment and recovery options instead of prison sentencing. "My concerns are for all persons to be able to receive the support and treatment they deserve with dignity and respect."
Before joining CCAR, he worked with Weed & Seed, a federally funded organization, which provides Community Service Projects. He worked as Youth Coordinator and received a Commendation from the U.S. Attorneys Office for his volunteer work within his community and being a mentor with the Drug Education For Youth (DEFY) Program which he still is with. He also facilitated a Substance Abuse Prevention group at NEON Halfway House where he at one time was a resident in 1992. He facilitated a "Youth Awareness Program" at after school programs in three communities for 2 years. He has extended himself to the Norwalk community in many ways and continues to be an energetic community leader.
He currently serves on the Norwalk PAL Board of Directors, Mid Fairfield Aids Project Board of Directors, State Advisory Board to Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Weed & Seed Steering Committee and the NAACP of Norwalk. He and his wife, Annie Louise have 3 children. He has a daughter, Shatisha, from a previous relationship. Michael has shown that people in Recovery are remarkable in their pursuit for being happy, joyous and free.

Kim Turner is the Peer Services Coordinator for New London. Hi, I am a person in recovery for 7 years. I was first introduced to CCAR over a year ago. As a way to enhance my recovery, maintain sobriety, and meet more people doing positive things in recovery I joined the New London Chapter of CCAR and became involved in CCAR's efforts to put a positive face and voice on recovery. I participated in Recovery Walks! 2003 and was moved by the fellowship of thousands of people in recovery. I wanted to be a part of this, shortly thereafter an opportunity to work with CCAR as a part time Peer Service Coordinator for the New London Chapter presented itself, I applied and hence, I am currently employed with CCAR. It is an honor and a privilege to work for CCAR. Recovery is my life and I am able (through CCAR) to give back (to others) what was freely given to me. HOPE.

 

 

 

Pat Howard, the CCAR Office Manager started in November 2001 as an Administrative Assistant. Pat has extensive experience in non-profit work.
Pat is constantly searching for answers to the question "How can I make a positive difference?" and sees the work done by CCAR as one way toward making those positive changes.

She has spent most of her life living in Connecticut and has always loved the water... the ocean and beaches, lakes, brooks, streams. Maybe it's because she's a Pisces or maybe it's because she grew up in New London and Niantic and the ocean was a big part of her life. In her words, "Water always brings me serenity and peace. As a teenager, I spent many hours walking by the ocean as I tried to cope as a family member with an alcoholic stepfather. I've learned that, like the bison, I am a survivor - that's one of the reasons why I collect buffalo statues." She and her husband Joe have lived in Tolland for 30 years and recently moved to Columbia. It was a good place to raise their son Steve, and their daughter Torrie who teaches in Vernon. Steve and his wife, Carrie, have blessed Pat with a grandson, Rory Clark and granddaughters, Lauren Madelyn and Caroline Elise. She loves being a "Nana" ! Pat is very excited about the work CCAR is doing. "The enthusiasm and commitment of the CCAR membership is contagious and I look forward to being part of the CCAR team. We are on a journey together to make our state and beyond a better place for people in recovery and their families."

   

Yolibel Lebrón (aka Yoly) began working for CCAR as the Administrative Assistant in May 2002. She enjoys helping children and working with computers. Yoly is bilingual and was born and raised in Hartford, CT. She has worked as a Junior Counselor with inner city children. She graduated in May 2002 from Capital Community College with two Associate in Science degrees - Computer Information Systems and Webpublishing. Yoly says, "I enjoy working for CCAR not only because it's a positive environment but because it's very rewarding in knowing that people are being helped."