FOCUS ON: Addiction and Recovery Notables
Notables: Addiction and Recovery Services Movers & Makers asked organizations within the addiction and recovery services sector to introduce their “notables” to our readers, part of a new regular feature highlighting people making a difference in various sectors of Greater Cincinnati’s nonprofit community.
Laurel Nelson, CEO for the Center for Respite Care, has held that title for nine years. In that time, the on center has become well-known for helping adults rel Nels u experiencing homelessness who have been released from a hospital. In 2023, the center will celebrate its 20th anniversary providing medical healing and the transition to stable housing and often employment. Under Nelson’s tenure, the center relocated from a standalone operation in Avondale to a shared location in OTR with the Saint Anthony Center. Nelson’s steady hand, caring nature and commitment to the center’s financial stability have aided its success. Nelson loves to travel, to hike and shoot macro photography. During the pandemic, while working in person full time, she earned her second master’s degree, an executive M.A. in nonprofit management from the University of Notre Dame.
Rayshun Holt, director of Cincinnati Works’ Beacon of Hope Business Alliance, works to improve the experience o lt and long-term success for justice-impacted citizens hun H ys looking to rebuild their lives. They foster partnerships between businesses, human service, faith-based and government agencies, and corrections institutions. Holt is motivated by his own successful transition and the opportunity he received at Nehemiah Manufacturing, where he saw the power of a supportive employer to nurture talent beyond a fair-chance job. Outside work, Holt enjoys attending sporting events and reading the classics. And whenever he’s in the South, he looks for the best shrimp ’n’ grits in town! He also shares his expertise on fair-chance hiring as a regular lecturer at Harvard Business School and Stanford Business School.
Johnson focuses on problem gambling in work at Center for Addiction Treatment
Newtown’s Synan a national leader in fight against opiate addiction
Rachel Johnson, the Center for Addiction Treatment’s senior director of clinical services, has established a career dedicated to providing accessible Johnson el recovery treatment and services. Her efforts ch to individualize patient treatment options through the expansion of CAT’s outpatient service offerings have included the development and implementation of the organization’s Intensive Outpatient Program, as well as CAT’s problem gambling treatment program. The Walden University doctoral candidate was also one of five 2023 recipients of the Ohio Problem Gambling Treatment Fellowship. Johnson enjoys spending time with her 2-year-old son and her stepdaughters, as well as her five pets.
Tom Synan, chief of the Newtown Police Department, has gained international recognition for his work to reduce opiate addiction. Synan is a Marine Corps veteran n y na with 29 years of police work. In 2014, after watch- m S ing drugs kill an entire family, the last two from heroin and fentanyl, Synan helped form the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition, for which he sits on the Steering Committee. Synan coordinates law-enforcement efforts to reduce supply and works with other members to connect resources for recovery. He has implemented initiatives for deflection to recovery, has spoken and published columns, and advocates to reduce stigma. Synan testified in Washington before a U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee on synthetic opiates and the impact fentanyl and carfentanil have had on the country. He has spoken internationally on the opiate issue.
FEBRUARY 2023
Movers & Makers
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Holt translates personal experience into advocacy for those rebuilding lives
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Nelson leads CRC’s work to help those facing illness, homelessness