BREAKTHRU HOUSE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administration, Financial Manager
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Resident
- Residence Manager
Angela McDonald serves as the Resident Manager at Breakthru House. Angela helps promote a community environment for the residents by assisting with their needs, acting as a liaison for the Housing Office, and assisting with administrative responsibilities. Promoting a positive atmosphere is Angel's goal. Ms. McDonald received her Medical Assistant Certification from the Georgia Medical Institute. Angela serves as a Resident Manager at Breakthru House.
Carolyn Roberson is celebrating 28 years clean in recovery. She is a Resident Manager at Breakthru House, Inc., where she not only gets to share her inspirational recovery story with those who remain, but also makes sure the clients continue on the road to recovery. Carolyn serves as the president at I-20 Club House - a recovery Based Community Drop in Center. As part of her commitment to stay sober, Carolyn began a Women for Life meeting group that has been meeting each Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at Highland Club for 15 years. She loves helping the women in recovery and realizes that "the only way I can keep what I have is to give it away."
Carolyn has three beautiful children; she has two college graduates and one daughter currently attending Virginia Tech.
Job Titles:
- Compliance Officer
- Clinical Compliance Officer
Dr. Tiffany serves as the Compliance Officer and has been working with Breakthru House Inc., since 2014. After graduating with a BA in psychology in San Diego State University, she moved to Atlanta and obtained a Masters in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University. She is a LCSW and has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Dr. Smith has been providing counseling to individuals, families, and groups for over 20 years. Dr. Smith has 25 years of clinical experience with the substance use population in both residential and outpatient settings. She has assisted Breakthru House and other agencies in obtaining 3-year CARF accreditations. Dr. Smith also provides clinical supervision to Masters level clinicians.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Resident
- Resident Manager at Breakthru House, Inc
Erica Jones is a Resident Manager at Breakthru House, Inc., where she makes herself available to the residents and meeting their specific needs. Erica acts as a liaison for the Housing office, and assisting with administrative responsibilities.
Jackuline Fly is a Group Therapist at Breakthru House where she facilitates trauma groups that include PTSD, Substance Abuse, Women's Issues, communication, and coping skills. She graduated with her bachelor and Master's degrees in Social Work from the University of Akron. Jackuline has been licensed in Ohio and California and currently is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She worked as a Project Manager, Director of an Adult Day Care, and Supervisor of a Parenting Program for women in treatment. Jackuline has served on the Alzheimer's Association Task Force, Summa Health Community Collaboration Group, and has been a member of the African American Ohio Social Work Association
Jocelin Savage is a Group Therapist at Breakthru House where she helps women in recovery to view their healing process from a family perspective. As the Therapeutic Childcare Program Coordinator, Jocelin manages mothers in recovery with children assisting them in school enrollment, locating medical and mental health resources as well as the liaison for DFC when necessary.
Having received degrees from George Mason University (BA in International Studies), North Carolina A&T State University (MA in English with a concentration in Afro-American Literature), and Liberty University (MA in Marriage and Family Therapy), Mrs. Savage believes that the healing process from the disease of addiction is more effective when there is a greater understanding of family dynamics and its impact on future generations. She has previously taught in the school system and currently coaches track and field at the high school level.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Retired
Joseph (Joe) E. Brown, Jr., has been a Board member since the 1980's. His father was an original founder/supporter of Breakthru House Inc., when it was founded at St. Mark UMC in 1969. Joe has worked at Courts & Co., a regional brokerage firm from 1961-1972, Atlanta Federal Savings & Loan, that became Georgia Federal Bank from 1972-1987, and finally with his wife's State Farm Insurance agency for 20 years until retirement. Joseph has witnessed not only the incredible growth and progress of Breakthru House, but also the transformative changes in the lives of many women who have become whole again due to the love and support they received while residing on campus and completing the Breakthru House recovery program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Chairman ( Attorney, McLain & Merritt, PC )
Julie Childs retired from the law firm of McLain & Merritt, P.C. in Atlanta, and has practiced in the area of estate planning since 1986.
Julie received her BA and law degrees from the University of Georgia. Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, she attended Decatur High School.
Her civic commitments include participation in and numerous leadership positions at Decatur First United Methodist Church, active membership in the DeKalb Junior League from 1982 - 1992, serving on the board of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation, the board of Wesley Woods Home, Inc., currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, and serving as Chair of the Board of Directors of Breakthru House, Inc., from 2013-current.
Margaret Martin is a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker). Since graduating from the School of Social Work in 1993, she has been working in the community in various capacities. Over the past 10 years, Margaret has worked in an outpatient mental health clinic. She is pleased to be working at Breakthru House where women are receiving thoughtful, and caring treatment.
Job Titles:
- Development Coordinator
- Development
Martha Smith serves as the Development Coordinator at Breakthru House where she assists with the executive director and development committee in fundraising opportunities, solicits, acknowledges donations, and maintains donor records. Martha received her Bachelor's degree from Brenau University with a concentration in Business Management and Associate's degree from Clayton State University.
Martha Smith is retired from the government where she worked in the departments of Planning & Economic Development, Procurement, and Tax Assessor's. Martha is owner of Alpha Homes Enterprises, LLP.
Her passion for serving others exemplifies her love and commitment to people. Martha's volunteering opportunities include feeding the homeless, Habitat for Humanity, Board of Directors for Big Brothers, Big Sisters Inc., and Breakthru House, Inc. She has served at her church as a financial officer, board of trustees, and youth director.
Job Titles:
- Development Chair ( Georgia United Methodist Church )
- Vice President of Development for the Georgia United Methodist Foundation
Nancy Young serves as Vice President of Development for the Georgia United Methodist Foundation (GUMF). She brings over 35 years of nonprofit experience in the areas of fundraising, major donor development, training, special events, planned giving, and facilities management.
Prior to joining GUMF, Nancy served as Vice President of Development for Action Ministries. She began her career in development while serving as the Executive Director of the YWCA of New Britain, Connecticut.
Job Titles:
- Superintendent
- Property Maintenance
Penny Stevenson serves at the Grounds Superintendent for Breakthru House. Penny is the owner of Mini Solutions Landscaping.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director of Breakthru House, INC
Phebee Sims is the current Clinical Director of Breakthru House, INC. Phebee Sims completed all her course work in pursuant of a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) degree in Organizational Leadership/ Human Service Administration at Argosy University-Sarasota. She received her Masters of Social Work(MSW) degree from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta Georgia and an undergraduate degree from Georgia State University in Mental Health and Human Services. Under the operating provisions of her licensure, she has provided extensive clinical services in various settings over the past 20 years. During her years of services, she has served as a direct care provider, a program developer, a clinical researcher, a program manager and a director. She has provided inpatient, outpatient, community and faith-based services. Mrs. Sims is a nationally certified facilitator for the National Council of Behavior Health as a facilitator of Mental Health First Aid for Youth, Adults and Law Enforcement. She is passionate about her profession and reverent in her leadership. It's her daily mission to extend the best of her compassion, knowledge and skills to the residents of Breakthru House empowering them to attain a higher quality of life through sustained sobriety.
Shawdell Hill serves as a Resident Manager at Breakthru House. Ms. Hill assists with the needs of the residents and helps promotes a clean, healthy, and positive atmosphere.
Job Titles:
- Certified Public Accountant
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Suzanne Savaerse is a Certified Public Accountant with 14 years of experience in the accounting field. After graduating from Clemson University, she worked in public accounting. Later, she transitioned to the private sector where she has served in various leadership roles.
Symone Fears is a therapist who works with Breakthru House to help meet the needs of women struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Ms. Fears believes physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through recovery is possible when each woman's treatment program is designed to meet their individual needs. After being in this profession for quite some time, Symone understands that it's all about how well you connect with the heart-beating people you are trying to help.
Symone received her Bachelor of Science degree from Savannah State University and a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Brenau University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Director ( Retired )
- Retired ATT Executive
T. Gordon Barber is a retired ATT Executive with 41 years of experience in Network Operations. He is owner and manager of Barber Properties. Gordon grew up in Hendersonville, NC, graduated from The Citadel, and earned a Master's Degree from the University of Maryland. He was an Army officer and served in Okinawa.
Currently, he volunteers at North Fulton Community Charity, Habitat for Humanity, BEATS hippo therapy, and is a member of the Disaster Recovery Team at Alpharetta Methodist Church. Gordon and his wife, Karen, live in Milton and have three adult sons and two grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Residence Manager
- Resident Manager at Breakthru House, Inc
Tonya Moore is a Resident Manager at Breakthru House, Inc. Tonya makes herself available to the residents and assists their specific needs. Tonya has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University, Associate of Arts and Science from East Central Community College.
Job Titles:
- Officer and Business Manager of the Nelson
Vanessa Nelson has served as the Chief Wife Officer and Business Manager of the Nelson family since she returned home from working as a Pharmacy Manager at United Health Care for 11 years. In 2003, she became a stay at home mom to her two sons who have since graduated college. She is married to her husband of 32 years, Lawrence Nelson, Owner/CEO of Lang Restoration and Construction. Vanessa was born in Inkster, Michigan, and now lives in the Smoke Rise Community where they have resided for the last 20 years.
Vanessa Nelson graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BBA in Business Management. She is a member of Victory World Church in Norcross, GA. Vanessa serves as an Ambassador and Donor for Livvy's Love, Inc., and is a Volunteer and Donor for the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association.