Meet Executive Director of R2ISE
Alexia Jones celebrates 26 years in long term recovery the founder and Executive Director of R2ISE Inc. a nonprofit RCO (Recovery Community Organization) in Atlanta Georgia, holds a BFA in Dance from Florida State University, and an MBA from Phoenix University. She is a certified addiction empowerment specialist (CARES) and certified peer specialist (CPS) trainer of trainers for trauma informed care and currently studying to become a certified drum circle facilitator. She is passionate about her work with those in recovery from mental health challenges and/or drug addiction, by utilizing the arts and providing a safe place through R2ISE so that wellness can be maintained.
She has performed nationally and internationally and choreographed at the university and professional level. Alexia is a movement engineer committed to helping others walk in recovery, restoration, inspiration, support, and empowerment.
Alexia is committed to sharing the message that Art+Recovery=Freedom and bringing healing and hope to many through her artistic approach called the Beracha Method; a self-directed process that empowers peers to focus on their needs, stimulates recovery focused dialogue, builds collaborative relationships, and encourages connection with others to build a supportive recovery network.
Alexia has worked with individuals, families, and children in recovery for 26 years. During her recovery journey she has written several plays that illustrate the process of recovery, utilizing the unique stories and artistic gifts of the individuals she passionately serves.
Her artistic work includes "Chronicles of Hope” featuring recovering artists in a collaborative effort to share stories of hope throughout the state of Georgia. Alexia helps others connect, the mind, body, soul and spirit as well as advocate, educate and raise, awareness around the power of recovery.
R2ISE Inc instills hope, transforms lives and highlights the strengths of participants so that wellness can be maintained.
Art+Recovery=Freedom!
Meet Our Staff
Akira Smith
Peer Coach
Joe
Peer Coach
R2ISE Executive Board of Directors
Tawanda B. Hunter, Ed.D
Dr. Hunter is a native Georgian and retired educator (30+ years) who tutors children in foster care. She taught elementary and middle school students in Dekalb and Gwinnett Counties; and retired from Gwinnett County Public Schools as an ESOL Teacher. While working as an ESOL Teacher, she received her Doctorate degree from Walden University in 2015. Her dissertation examined “Perceptions of School Culture and English Language Learner Achievement”. Dr. Hunter believes in the healing andredemptive works of Jesus Christ through whom salvation, healing, restoration, mercy, love, grace and hope are offered. As such, she passionately supports the mission and vision of R2ISE Theatre, Inc. in its work to serve and bring freedom to people in recovery through the arts. She also served as R2ISE’s secretary from 2018-2021.
Art+ Recovery =Freedom
Diane C. Bostic is a native of New York City. She migrated to Atlanta, Georgia, in the late 80’s and presently resides outside the Atlanta area. She is the mother of two adult sons and one granddaughter. Diane’s passion with working in the field of substance use started in New York and she continues to use her gift of deliverance for over thirty years, within the private sector treatment centers and for the State of Georgia, working as a counselor for Pardons and Parole. For a short time, she also worked testing individuals for the HIV virus.
In 1996, Diane was offered a position to work as a counselor within a residential program for adolescents, who suffer with addiction and trauma issues. Several years later, she was promoted to Program Director
Working with adolescents has been both challenging and fruitful and she is most grateful for the experience.
Jean Olshefsky CPS, CARES serves as the Director of Recovery & Advocacy for Beacon Health Options, The Georgia Collaborative ASO. Jean is passionate about Recovery, her own and encouraging others to live their best life.
Jean serves in several leadership roles across the State as an advocate for recovery including the Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council where she chairs the Adult committee as well as co-chair of the Behavioral Health Service Coalition. Jean has extensive experience working as a Producer and Director, which nurtured her creative talents. During her career, Jean has received several awards including the Making a Difference Award by her employer in Michigan and CPS of the Year in Georgia.
Jean originally hails from the Detroit area, supports IDD causes, is an avid photographer, loves the outdoors, being on the water, telling bad puns and spending time with friends and family.
Jean believes in the mission of R2ISE and the tangible impact R2ISE has on the Individuals they support and the community as a whole.
Dr. Sinead Younge is a professor of psychology and director of the Institute for Social Justice Inquiry and Praxis in the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership at Morehouse College. Dr. Younge is trained as an ecological-community psychologist and focuses on health and well being of diverse communities.