Founder and Owner, the 2nd Chance Project

I started the 2nd Chance Project in June of 2020, in response to the unrest that was happening in my community in South Minneapolis. My vision was to provide housing, role model support, and structure to individuals coming out of state hospitals and prisons. I’m originally from Chicago, IL but moved to Minnesota with my…

Mr. Burks is a CPRS and the outreach coordinator for Twin Cities Recovery Project in Minneapolis, MN.  Christopher is a person in long term recovery, who has battled with addiction and incarceration for over twenty years. Tired of the life he was living previously, Christopher wanted more, and realized he needed a change. Christopher decided…

LaTrisha is proud to serve Ward 4 in North Minneapolis on the City Council. LaTrisha loves the diversity and small-town feel of Ward 4. She started her career in public service twenty years ago when she left the corporate world and started working in community health. LaTrisha served as the Director of Health Policy and…

Private practice clinician, Recovery Works, LLC.

David is as a person with more than 36 years of long-term addiction recovery. He sustains his recovery by being active in a 12-step recovery program and by being active in his faith. David has an earned PhD in social work at the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in social work at the…

Dr. CJ holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration. She is also a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, a Certified Clinical Supervisor, and credited with being a founding member and coordinator of Aggies for Recovery, the first collegiate recovery community at an HBCU, at North Carolina Agricultural…

CRCC- Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition Founder/Executive Director

Executive Director: Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition 35 yrs. long term recovery from substance use disorder and mental illness 25 years’ experience in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and recovery. 10 years’ experience in clinical supervision in residential inpatient treatment programs, outpatient services for women involved in the DCFS and Recovery Home settings.…

Dorothy West is a person in long term recovery with over 19 years of continuous sobriety. She is the Executive Director for the Center for Recovery and Wellness Resources (CRWR); a CAPRSS accredited RCO in Houston Texas. She has been employed as a Program Director and Recovery Coach Trainer with CRWR for 10 years. Her career in behavior health began as a technician as she pursued her education.  Upon receiving her license as Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in 2009,…

Overdose Prevention and Response: Challenges and Opportunities

Ms. Burden is a Senior Advisor with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.  In this capacity she works to advance substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, providing technical assistance and training to a wide range of organizations and participants. Ms. Burden has extensive experience in providing technical assistance to nonprofits on translating knowledge…

Dr. Aghenta completed her Family Medicine Residency at Hennepin Healthcare. Following residency, she started practicing as a Hospitalist caring for hospitalized adult patients. She is completing her fellowship in Addiction Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Aghenta is committed to eliminating healthcare disparities and improving access to evidence-based substance use treatment for vulnerable populations.