Kelvin Garcia, CRM (he/him)

Kelvin moved to Portland, Oregon from McMinnville, Oregon. He believes that the essence of recovery is just becoming a better version of yourself than you were the day before. Looking back at old habits, taking responsibly for mistakes, and making the greatest possible progress forward are all important parts of the recovery journey.

Kelvin’s own journey is focused on self-awareness, responsibility, and challenging himself each and every day to grow. Regular physical activities, mindfulness techniques, building community, and engaging in healthy routines are all a part of his recovery program.  

Kelvin loves when new people move into his house and utilizes it as a reminder of when he first started in the program. He loves to see the progress that each person makes, from day one, to the day they successfully transition out of housing. He loves to see people change their lives for the better and be a vital part of that process.

Kelvin is bilingual (Spanish and English speaking) and his hobbies are learning to do new activities, anything from working on cars to cutting hair. He loves any DYI projects that encourage him to learn new things.

Jess Bunyard, CRM (he/him)

Jess grew up on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon in a small town called Estacada, where he was surrounded by the mountains and the river.

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He has dedicated his life to recovery and attends support groups, works with his sponsor, and has built a strong support system.

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Jess believes that everyone is capable of recovery, but at some point, you have to want it for yourself. He says that everyone needs a good support system in place to achieve those results and they need to be open-minded to find out what works best.

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He enjoys being a house manager because he likes getting to know new housemates, helping them better themselves, and supporting them through their challenges.

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Jess is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and being in the woods. He also loves spending time with his son and watching him play sports. One fun fact about Jess is that he once hit the bullseye with his bow and arrow and then, in the next shot, split the first arrow in two!

Derek Holombo (they/them)

Derek moved to Portland, Oregon from Houghton Michigan.

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Derek believes that recovery is both a physical and emotional journey that everyone must embark on. No one ever has all the answers as to what recovery looks like, and everyone’s recovery looks very different. Derek knows that some days in recovery are wonderful and other days are very hard, and recovery is about building the skills and tools needed to be successful no matter what emotional state you are currently in.

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Derek’s program of recovery is about engaging in self-compassion and working on being the best person they can be each and every day.

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Derek loves being an assistant house manager because they love to be there for the clients when they need to vent or talk. The clients know that Derek is on their side and will be there to support them in their recovery journey.  They are a positive force in the client’s lives and help each individual to discover that they are worth so much more than they imagined.

Erica Dowler (she/her)

Erica was born and raised in Iowa and then moved to Portland, Oregon 11 years ago. Throughout her life she struggled with addiction. Tired of living on the streets and tired of getting high, she decided that enough was enough. She desperately missed her daughter and wanted to do something better with her life.

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Erica works for a local non-profit which helps her to stay connected with service work. Her recovery consists of going to AA meetings, working with a sponsor, and talking to her mom and ex-wife who are great supports for her sobriety.

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She believes that recovery is an individual process, and that recovery is in your hands and your higher power’s hands. No one is responsible for your recovery but yourself. If you want it, you will do anything you can do to maintain your sobriety. Life will give you trials and tests but if your recovery is strong, you can get through it.

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In her free time Erica attends college and spends time with her daughter. She also enjoys reading, making native chokers, moccasins, and clothing.

Becky Weston, (she/her)

Becky was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon and has been in Portland for a year and a half. Prior to being an assistant house manager, she used to spend her time fighting forest fires.

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Becky feels that working in the addiction helping field is a big deal because she struggled for years and didn’t think she could ever be successful or be noticed for her accomplishments. Today, she has a strong and diverse recovery program that includes involvement in a sober running group called Go the Distance, as well as attending Wellbriety meetings, NA meetings, and Celebrate Recovery.

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Becky believes that everyone has their own personal journey and their own steps they have to take to break free and experience freedom from their past and active addictions. She loves being there for the women in the house and having meaningful conversations and shared that it feels good knowing that they always have someone they can come to and someone to count on.

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In her free time, Becky loves running, hiking, and being outside in nature.

Maggie Soriano, CRM (she/her)

Maggie is from the small town of Merced in the central valley in California.

Maggie has a strong faith and it’s her connection to this faith that keeps her sober. She believes that recovery looks very different for each individual and that each person must find their own path while utilizing all of the resources they can to help be successful.

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Maggie loves to give back and enjoys seeing the women in the house thrive while transitioning back into society. She knows that structure and accountability are the first step in any recovery journey, and that is ultimately what many people need to build a foundation and grow. Maggie believes in being a good role model to the women in the house so that they can see that recovery is possible.

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In her free time, Maggie spends time talking on the phone to her kids and grandkids, loves going to church on Sundays, and fellowshipping afterwards.

Tristin Gerber (he/him)

Tristen moved to Portland, Oregon from Kent, Washington. He believes that recovery is an ongoing process that requires connection, working a program, support from peers, and healthy accountability.

Tristen has a strong recovery program himself that revolves around 12 step meetings, step work, service work, and a relationship with his higher power.

He loves having the opportunity to be of service in the recovery community and watching people grow as they maintain their recovery program. He believes that it is rewarding and beautiful to witness the growth and change in his client’s lives.

In his free time Tristen loves to be in nature and enjoys mountain biking. Tristen is also currently enrolled in college to be a future therapist.

Dymtro Garbuzov (he/him)

Dyma is originally from Redmond Washington but decided to stay in Portland where he built a strong, sober community.

Dyma’s recovery program is focused on being accountable to his home group in a local 12-step program, staying connected to his friends in recovery, and engaging in fellowship outside of meeting. He also believes that physical health and fitness are important components of a healthy spirit and sober lifestyle.

Dyma truly adheres to the philosophy that recovery is about being of service to others and giving back to the newcomers. He loves to watch people grow and become happier, better versions of themselves.

Dyma’s hobbies include working out, cooking, and playing video games.

Timothy McGee, CRM (he/him)

Timothy was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. After struggling with addiction for many years, he finally sought treatment and started his new life in recovery.

Timothy attends Celebrate Recovery, where he attends a step study group. He says that he is currently working on new beginnings and healing the wounds of the past, giving back to others, and continuing to stay engaged in outside support meetings and in his community.

Timothy believes that everyone can recover from addiction and alcoholism, and everyone deserves a second chance and a new beginning in life. He loves being a house manager because he feels passionate about helping others and watching them grow. He feels honored that he gets to play such a vital role in each client’s journey and enjoys being of service.

Timothy’s hobbies include bowling, sports, going on adventures with friends and family, and helping other.

Walt LaBonte (he/him)

Walt moved to Portland, Oregon from central Washington to go to treatment to address his lifelong addictions to drugs and alcohol.

Walt believes that it takes great strength to climb your way out of addiction, but with time, it gets easier and is just one little step in life’s long journey. He has a strong recovery program that he works through Celebrate Recovery, where he has a sponsor that he is in daily communication with, he has formed a strong sober community, attends a step study group, and has maintained positive relationships with people from the treatment centers that he graduated from.

Walt loves being an assistant manager because he believes that the newest people in recovery are the most important. He gets the opportunity to help clients fight against their addiction and show them that they don’t have to do it alone. Walt says that being of service and helping others continues to make his own recovery stronger.

Walt enjoys long walks and adventures, from hiking new trails in the woods, to exploring the city. He is a true outdoorsman and enjoys fishing, camping, bushcraft, knife throwing, and archery.

Tyler Bussey (he/him)

Tyler moved to Portland, Oregon from Brooklyn, New York.  He loves to begin each day with prayer, scripture reading, and meditation. He is an active member of Emmanuel Church.

His program of recovery is Christ-based and he attends weekly Celebrate Recovery meetings where he holds a leadership position as Share Group Facilitator. He is also currently engaged in a step study program offered by celebrate recovery. 

Tyler believes that his role as a sober living house manager gives him the opportunity to support others in the transition from active addiction, homelessness, isolation, and fear, to housing, peace, community, and stability. He is passionate about utilizing his skill set to promote healing for his community through support, love, hope, patience, and compassion. 

Tyler is also a performing dance artist and loves to go roller-skating on the weekends.

Gabriel Galvan, CRM (he/him)

Gabriel moved from Mexico City, Mexico to California when he was 18 years old, and at 25 years of age he relocated to Portland with his ex-wife. He’s been living here in Portland ever since.

Gabriel believes that recovery is the most important decision he’s ever made in his life. He maintains that it’s about starting a new chapter and making the changes necessary for peace and happiness. To Gabriel, recovery is a shift in both perspective and lifestyle.

Gabriel loves to be an assistant manager because he enjoys being a positive role model to clients in housing and to people new in recovery. He appreciates the responsibility that comes with the position and feels honored to be of service.

In his free time Gabriel loves spending time with his kids, helping people, and working on cars.