Meet Our Recovery Coaches

There for you during your road to recovery

YOU'RE NOT ALONE, WE'RE HERE TO HELP

meet our recovery coaches

Our coaches are either people in long term recovery from substance abuse and/or mental health issues, or have loved ones that have been affected by addiction or mental health issues. Each coach is trained though the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and Wisconsin Certified Peer Support Specialists.
Each coach has their own story and own reason for becoming someone that can be an advocate, peer and confidante for those looking for a path towards recovery. Call our 24-7 Recovery Coach Helpline at 608-228-1278 to connect with a coach.

Tanya Kraege

DPP Peer Provider Team Manager

I have worked for Safe Communities MDC, serving our community since 2017. This has by far been the employment that resonates with my favorite version of me.

I am so humbled and grateful to have met every person on their journey to wellness and work alongside partners whose interests align with those of creating well communities.

My hobbies are hanging with my kiddos, partner and family, reading books, playing volleyball and singing off key to music (all the time).

Kristina Vaccaro

DPP Peer Provider Team Supervisor

I have been with Safe Communities since 2017. I love my job and the people I get the honor to work alongside.

I am passionate about the recovery community and enjoy working with partners and community stakeholders to better outcomes for those working towards recovery.

My kids and husband mean the world to me and outside of work I enjoy spending time with them.

Davita Walker

Aaniin (Hello) my name is DaVita P. Walker. I work with Safe Communities of Madison-Dane County. I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist & Recovery Coach.

I have an Associates’s degree in Human Services and Addiction Studies Certification. I am also a proud member of The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians. I sit on the African-American Opioid Coalition board.

In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering throughout our community for non-profit organizations and events.

Michelle Haumschild

Hello! My name is Michelle. I am married to my husband Aaron and have two children, Bradley and Oliver. We also have two dogs Nala and Brodie.

I am a person who enjoys the outdoors and sports. My favorite thing to do is smoke tasty food on my smoker. I am a person in recovery from a substance use disorder along with alcohol use disorder.

I will be finishing my associates from MATC in May for human services and addiction studies and will be attending Aurora University for my bachelor’s in social work.

Mary Boesel Rauwolf

I came to work at Safe Communities as a Family Peer Specialist after becoming a member of the Parent Addiction Network.

It was important to me to try and find ways to help families dealing with mental health and/or substance use disorder after losing my son to a heroin overdose. I am a mother of two boys and married to my husband, John, for 30 years. We live north of Madison on a hobby farm with a menagerie of animals.

In my free time, I volunteer at Angels Wish rescue and I love to garden.

Elicia Casey

It is an honor working for Safe Communities as it gives me the opportunity to use my lived experience with addiction to help others.

Currently, I am a student at UW Madison studying Community and Nonprofit Leadership with a focus on Criminal Justice. I also work in leadership at Serenity Sober Living Homes.

In my spare time, I volunteer for other life-changing organizations such as NAMI and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Rebecca Foss

My name is Rebecca, and I am a person in long-term recovery.

I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist and work with people who struggle with substance use and mental health challenges to assist in making changes in their lives.

I have a passion for working with pregnant women and their babies, guiding them in their recovery process to experience better outcomes for both mom and baby. Grateful to be a part of the Safe Communities recovery coach team.

Dexter Lane

I have worked for Safe Communities since 2017. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team(family). I am constantly astonished by the selflessness of our team, and the resilience of the individuals we serve. Watching someone turn their life around is one of the most beautiful things I’ve had the privilege to witness.

I have been in recovery since November 2015. I enjoy traveling anywhere and anytime I get the opportunity. I love everything hockey! I play with a local league and never miss a Boston Bruins game!

Lana Hamilton

My name is Lana Hamilton and I am honored to be a Recovery Coach/Certified Peer Specialist/Doula for Safe Communities since 2019.

I work in the Jail2Recovery, ED2Recovery, Comprehensive Community Services, and Pregnancy2Recovery programs. I am also a part of Madison’s new Addiction Resource Team.

I enjoy time with my family, biking, hiking, cooking, sewing, and my first time adding the joy of cats into my life.

Joseph R. Galey

Wisconsin Certified peer support specialist/recovery coach with Safe communities and UW Health Hub and Spoke program.

Since 2018, I have been providing support and resources to those struggling with substance use and mental health conditions.

Work interests are advocacy, policy, stigma training, harm reduction and being a panel member of UW ECHO ACCEPT.

Personal interests are Mycology, Microscopy, guitar, and animals.

Andrea Everett

My name is Drea and I am a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist.

After being in active addiction for so long and finding recovery I always knew I wanted to give back. It is my passion to help people struggling in addiction and to show them that recovery is possible.

Saving lives and helping people in addiction is what keeps me in recovery today, and I want to continue to spread hope and awareness to everyone I work with.

Jewel Adams

Hi, my name is Jewel Adams. My pronouns are she/her.

I have been in recovery since 08-24-2004. I have been with Safe Communities since August of 2018. My passion is helping others and my hobby is dancing.

My favorite part about my job is knowing I can make a difference in another persons life when I show up for them!

Ramona Gomez

My name is Ramona, I’m a recovery coach for Safe Communities. I love spending time with friends and family.

I’ve been in the addiction field for about 8 years and wouldn’t want to do anything else. I just want everyone to find that light at the end of the tunnel.

Holly Chialda

Hello! I’m Holly. I’m a Certified Peer Support Specialist & Recovery Coach. I’m honored to have the opportunity to walk beside those who are struggling with addiction and mental health to help them find their path to recovery.

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, walking and singing random songs.

Tyrees Scott

I am a Recovery Coach/ Peer Support Specialist. I took this job because I felt there there was a need to help my community.

I have had many people to be my mentor over the years to help me become the man I am today. It’s only right that I become a mentor to everyone who needs help.

Andrew Mullen

My name is Andrew and I am a Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist.

Some of my interests are Psychology, Philosophy and Spirituality.

I enjoy Traveling, Art and to support others by sharing my lived experience.

Richard Bryant

Richard Bryant is a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor and Peer Recovery Coach.

He is also a former case manager of Drug Court and has 24 years in recovery.

Ryan Mueller

Madison Wisconsin native. I chose to become a peer support specialist to show other people in the LGBTQ+ community that long term recovery is possible.

Helping others on their journey in recovery has enriched my own.

Kay Hauser

Kay Hauser, Certified Peer Specialist & Doula. Kay was a Marketing and Events Manager, yet Recovery is where her heart is.

She loves to travel, especially to the ocean!

Jeff Sager

Hi, My name is Jeff and I am a Peer Support Specialist with over 30 years of lived experience with PTSD and substance use issues as a result of my combat and first responder history. I have been in recovery since 01/15/21 and found a compassion to share my life experiences with those who seek help finding their own path to heal and recover. I am new to Safe Communities and found that this is where I belong. I enjoy many things, especially other people. My life is all about recovery and helping others to feel the way I feel!

DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION

our programs

RECOVERY COACHING

Our aspiration is by sharing our strength and courage with other people who are struggling, we are able to emphatically support those seeking recovery in making changes in their lives.

LEARN MORE

START HERE

African American Opioid Coalition

Our main focus is to improve the overall wellbeing of black families in Dane County.
To accomplish this goal, we focus on educating and raising awareness about the impact of opioid addiction in the African American Community.

MORE ABOUT AAOC

START HERE