Twin Cities Recovery Project

LaTricia Tate received her A.S. Degree in Human Services at MCTC in 2022 and is currently working on her B.S. degree. She has worked in the Human Services field for over 20 years. She helped co-found the Twin Cities Recovery Project, Inc. (TCRP) alongside the late Marc L. Johnigan. She was employed with Project for Pride and Living (PPL) a non-profit organization in Supportive Housing, servicing formerly homeless families with disabilities for a little over 10 years.

LaTricia is also the former co-chair of the Franklin Avenue Safety Team, a committee member of PPL’s DEI Committee (Diversity Equity & Inclusion), and founder and leader of PPL’s Rebuilding Our Community Piece by Peace Initiative in 2016. Also a current board member for 1st Step Housing Consulting, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction, member of the DHS/RCO Policy Group, a MARCO Board Member, and also sits on the National DLH Deflection Data Center of Excellence Advisory Board.

She has a strong passion for supporting those who are struggling with Mental Illness and Addiction. Her mission is to change one life at a time by providing the necessary tools that will allow individuals to dream big and achieve their goals.

“I wake up every day determined to make a difference in someone’s life, determined to fight against the stigma of SUD and Mental Illness, and even more determined to see that African Americans communities have equal access to treatment, medical, and housing.” − LaTricia Tate

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. He decided to move to Minnesota, away from his birth place of Springfield, Ohio. He wanted to start a new chapter in his life.

After moving here he got himself into a faith based treatment program called Metro Hope where he stayed for 9 months and successfully completed the program. While in treatment, Christopher attended a job training program called Twin Cities Rise! Where he got an internship job with Twin Cities Recovery Project. He was able to attend the CPRS training that was offered by TCRP. This allowed him to take and pass the state certification test to become a state certified Recovery Coach. Christopher works at the South Minneapolis office, where he helps individuals in working their recovery.

Anthony has been a part of the team at TCRP since October of 2020. As a part of the Crisis Counseling Program, or CP, Anthony works as part of team doing outreach at different sites around the metro. This outreach is part of an initiative put together by FEMA and SAMSA to recognize COVID-19 as a natural disaster, and to provide relief to people in need who have been effected due to economic or lifestyle barriers that have been effecting the community. During outreach, the CP team helps people through a multitude of common issues such as helping families get accustomed to distance-learning and homework help, helping families get assistance with rent and utilities, and give out resources on employment, government assistance, and tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Damone was born and raised in Minnesota. Damone is a proud father and a person for change. Damone is proud to have over 14 years clean from drugs and alcohol. He is dedicated to helping others and sharing his Experience, Strength and Hope that there is a better way to live.

“I have been working in the community for the past 20 years helping individuals to strive to be better. I always put God first and as a believer I have been able to live my life without drugs. Helping others is my calling!!!!” - Damone

Karissa Marie has lived life experience, this allows for embracing the celebration of a holistic, whole self, wellness approach, towards all pathways of recovery. With a passion for being of service to the community and being a voice and advocate for those who often times go unheard due to social and racial justice matters because they suffer from SUD, mental health and legal challenges within the justice system. She joined the team at TCP in March 2020 after successfully completing the Peer to Peer Recovery Development Training. She is the COO, who over sees organizational operations, as well as a skilled artist and brings a lot of occupational therapy involving creative artwork to the TCP team. Prior to starting at TCRP, Karissa worked in systems and operations management and outside of her normal office hours, she brings new creative endeavors to the participants at TCP, encouraging new forms of creativity to open up in ways that they may not have thought possible previously.

Daniel is a person in long term recovery. He is truly feeling happy and free. Over the last two years he has gained a life he never had before. He completed treatment at Restoration Counseling and Community Services, Soon after completing the CPRS training through TCRP. After getting certified he went on to take a career development training course through Twin Cities Rise and through them started an internship with Twin Cities Recovery Project. Because of his hard work and dedication Daniel is now a full time employee and a valued member of the TCRP team

“ TCRP is my family. I love my job. Helping individuals help themselves on their recovery journey gives me purpose.” – Daniel

I am a person in long term recovery. My life is manageable when I surrender my will to God’s will. I’m passionate about building healthy sober fun activities in my community. I am an Administrator for Sober Fun Events (Twin Cities Area) on Facebook. I’m part of the PAC Family, as well as an alumni at P.O.P Power of People leadership Institute. I stay busy in my sober community with service commitments that replace the warm fuzzies I sought in my usage. I would not be here today without the support of family, friends, and community in the Twin Cities and Faribault area.

Sarah joined the TCRP team in January 2021, she is an ally to those in all stages of their journey in recovery. She manages our social media accounts, updates our website, designs marketing material, and brainstorms new marketing ideas.

She is the owner of Mulford Designs which she helps other small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits achieve their goals through marketing and design.

During her free time she enjoys spending time with her wife, Jess, and their 2 cats. She enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, reading, & being an advocate for public land issues. She encourages people to trust their journey and the timing, things happen for a reason in life.

CJ is a person in long term recovery of 27 years, and what that means to her is, receiving her A.S in Chemical Dependency at Minnesota Community Technical College and her B.S. in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. She’s been retired for 11 years from working in the chemical dependency field and during the 11 years, she’s volunteered for several community Non-profit organizations, advocating for All persons of Our communities dealing with mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. She is also on the board of directors of AEON, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing in several counties of Minnesota.

“I am very excited to be a part of Twin Cities Recovery Project. It takes all of us to do our part in the community. At Twin Cities Recovery Project I know I’m making a difference”

Banks started his law enforcement career in Robbins, Illinois as Police Explorer and then Explorer Post Commander. After joining the United States Marine Reserves, he returned home to started as a Police Dispatcher and become a part-time Police Officer. He then served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and graduated from Central Lakes College with a degree in Criminal Justice.

In 2005, Joseph began working for the Lower Sioux Police Department and accepted a position as Chief of Police with the Upper Sioux Police Department. He then served as the Chief of Police for Morton, Minnesota. He then returned to the Lower Sioux Police Department as the Chief Investigator and the acting Chief of Police.

Julie has held supervisory and management positions at key Twin Cities Nonprofits over the last 30 years (Project for Pride in Living, Wilder Foundation, Lutheran Social Service). She has a history of program development and innovation. Julie has worked with families and children around health issues, sexuality, chemical health, housing, and more. Julie has developed and provided training around workplace issues. She has been married to her husband, Tom for 33 years and has three children and one grandchild.

Person in long term Recovery 33 years. Founder of the 1st Recovery Community Organization in the state of Illinois. 20 years of experience as a certified addictions counselor in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and recovery. 11 years experience setting up and managing Residential Extended Care Facilities Recovery homes in the Public and Private sectors. Bachelor of Science Degree in Health care Administration, State certified thru I0ADAPCA as CADC/GCE, CPRS, NCRS, DUI Certification. Recovery Coach Trainer thru CCAR. Current Executive Director Path, Recovery Living for Women, 10 bed facility state licensed. Current President of the Illinois Association of Extended Care, Certified Property Manager, Advisory Board member to GLATTC- Great Lakes Addiction Transfer Technology. Current Board Member Polished Nail School and Salon, 1st Black Owned Nail School

I have worked in the field of communications since 1972. My experience in communications has led me to produce communications projects for both, for profit and non-profit organizations for over 40 years, first in New York and in the past 24 years, Minnesota. Included in my experience is my work in the field of substance use disorder and anger management. In 1997, I worked for African American Family Services (AAFS). During my tenure with AAFS, me and Hafeez Muhammad co-wrote the Male Oppression and Violence Elimination program (M.O.V.E) for AAFS. This program was designed to provide services for perpetrators of domestic violence. I then supervised this program for 4 years. I have continued to work as a producer in both the marketing and communications field and the anti-violence and substance use disorder field as a consultant. Since 1999, I provided advertising, marketing, promotion, production and consulting services to many nonprofit, community and health service organizations for AAFS, Starpointe Media Inc. and for other organizations. In late 2001 I founded StarPointe Media, Inc. I have continued to produce Public Service Announcement content for radio, television and print as an independent contractor, as well as establishing and servicing contracts with program providers in the fields of anger management and substance use disorder.

CJ is the founder and Executive Director of 2ndChanceProject. CJ has an extensive background, over two decades, supporting individuals coming out of incarceration, individuals experiencing homelessness, struggling families and outreach for other organizations supporting young men and youth. 2ndChanceProject was created to provide, real life 2nd chance opportunities for individuals while in a judgement free environment to get back on the path that is right for them.

Dana has worked in the field of behavioral health for over two decades in various capacities. Currently, she is the Director of AICDC Withdrawal Management Program at 1800 Chicago. She has extensive experience in policy development for peer support services and recovery community organizations during her work with the Department of Human Services. She also has experiences in grant management, community outreach and engagement, and program development. When she isn’t working she enjoys being a mom of 4 who keep her busy!

Dr. Vilsaint, also known to us as Dr. Corrie, is a principle investigator at the Recovery Research Institute and Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, and research fellow at Harvard Medical School. Her reserach focuses on addiction recovery capital, reducing discrimination among individuals in recovery, and racial health equity in remission and recover. Dr. Corrie is a community psychologist whose work has been recognized by an award from the American Psychological Association. She has been supported by an F31 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and is currently supported by an F32 from

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAAA).

Dr. Jonathan Lofgren is a native Minnesotan, lives a life of long-term recovery (est. Labor Day, 1987). Jonathan holds a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in Training & Performance Improvement from Capella University and a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling Psychology from Springfield College. Jonathan is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Co-occurring Disorders Professional Diplomat.

Dr. Lofgren has 35 years of behavioral-health clinical, leadership, development, education, training, and advocacy experience in local, national, and international settings. Currently Jonathan is a fulltime faculty member at Minneapolis College. Aside from teaching, Lofgren serves on the boards of TCRP, CAARD, and ARHE

In February 2023, Lofgren received the prestigious Museum of African American Addiction, Treatment and Recovery’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and in September 2022 received the ‘Sons of Branford’ Educator of The Year Award: awards for commitment to teaching/training/practice/advocacy in SUD Professions, and building treatment and recovery efforts in the African American Community across the United States.

Dr. Lofgren is a member of the following organizations: • The Center for African American Recovery Development (Board Member) • The Minnesota Association of Resources and Recovery for Chemical Health (Past President) • Association of Recovery in Higher Education (Board Member) • Twin City Recovery Project (Board Member) • International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers • Minnesota Association of Black Psychologists • NAACP Minneapolis Chapter