Executive Director

John was a client at the Miami Recovery Project before he became an employee. When he was a client, he received peer support services that helped him stabilize his life after several attempts at treatment and then move into long term recovery. The services he received were instrumental in his journey toward wellness.

Before moving to Miami in 2021 to begin his recovery journey, John had a long career in marketing, communications and IT. He is now excited to put his experience to work helping others find their own individual pathway to recovery.

Peer Specialist Supervisor

Richard Taylor MS, LMHC, NCC is a Nationally Board Certified (NCC) Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Florida Qualified Supervisor for MHC/MFT Interns. He graduated top of his class from Barry University's (CACREP) accredited MS Counseling in Clinical Mental Health and he also received a BA from Florida International University with a concentration in Psychology. His passion is creating a safe space and therapeutic alliance with clients and their families as they work through issues and discover the best authentic version of themselves.

Certified Peer Specialist | Case Manager

Douglas is an energetic member of the recovery community, a certified recovery peer specialist with lived experience since 2020. Passionate about social services, he is dedicated to serving his community by offering encouragement and motivation to others as they embark on their recovery journey. Understanding the challenges, he provides peer clients with empowering tools and support throughout their journey as well as relatability and personal lived experience.

Certified Peer Specialist | Case Manager

AustinCole is a dedicated advocate for recovery and personal transformation, his journey through addiction has fueled a profound passion for helping others navigate their own paths to recovery. AustinCole spends much of his free time outdoors with his beloved canine companion, exploring new trails and enjoying nature. His journey in recovery has deepened his appreciation for meaningful connections and the simple pleasures in life, inspiring him to give back to his community and support others on their paths to wellness.

Certified Peer Specialist | Case Manager

Steph is a person in long-term recovery that understands firsthand the challenges and struggles that come with addiction and mental health. She is a person that loves helping people whenever she can and loves that she is in a position to do so. In her free time, she likes going to meetings, spending time with family, crocheting, and going to the beach.

Certified Peer Specialist | Case Manager

Sebastian is dedicated to helping others on their recovery journeys, drawing from their own lived experiences to inspire and guide those in need. He believes that personal stories can create powerful connections and offer hope. In addition to their recovery work, Sebastian is passionate about staying healthy and spends time at the gym to maintain physical and mental well-being. He also enjoy software programming, using their technical skills to develop tools that support others. Above all, Sebastian values quality time with family, as these moments remind them of the importance of support and connection in every journey. Through their work and personal passions, Sebastian strives to empower others to embrace their paths to recovery.

Street Outreach Manager

Robert Herrera is a dedicated community advocate with a strong background in homeless services and street outreach. After graduating from Florida International University in April 2019, Robert began his career at Camillus House, where he spent three years supporting individuals experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County. Starting as a Case Manager, he quickly became a key figure in direct service delivery.

Robert later joined the Miami Recovery Project, where he continued his mission to serve vulnerable populations. Demonstrating his leadership and initiative, Robert successfully authored a street outreach grant in collaboration with the Homeless Trust. This grant led to the creation of a new outreach team in the Kendall area, expanding critical services to unsheltered individuals in that community.

Robert is currently pursuing further education while continuing to make a meaningful impact through his work in outreach and recovery services.

Certified Peer Specialist | Case Manager

Tom has been an active and dedicated member of the recovery community since 2013. With a successful background in commercial real estate development, he has made the purposeful decision to transition his career to social services, driven by a desire to help others. Tom is committed to supporting individuals on their recovery journeys by providing encouragement, motivation, and practical tools for empowerment. Drawing on his own lived experiences with both long term recovery and relapse he offers a unique combination of relatability and guidance, ensuring peer clients feel supported and understood every step of the way.

ARC Case Manager

Mike McLeroy began his journey in social services first as a Program Assistant for Camillus House ACT Team, then as a Case Manager for Camillus House Emergency Housing where his passion for the mission was born. He spent a year there learning and gathering experience helping the underserved populations. Shortly after his time at Camillus House he continued to an exciting career with Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue as a Beach Lifeguard where he continued to serve the community in a different capacity. Mike has found what he describes as spiritual fulfilment in roles where he is of maximum service to the teams he is working with and his community and hopes to bring this enthusiasm and passion to the mission of Miami Recovery Project. Mike draws on his own lived experiences with recovery to empathize and connect with the communities he strives to serve.

Peer Specialist 

Giselle began doing volunteer work with non-profit organizations in 2018. That's when she first learned about what a Peer Specialist does. She decided she wanted to help individuals struggling with housing insecurity due to mental health and/or substance misuse challenges. Prior to joining Miami Recovery Project, Giselle worked at Fellowship House as a Peer Support Specialist, where she assisted many individuals in setting goals and managing their day-to-day mental and physical health, as well as their sobriety and overall wellness.

Giselle is living her life's purpose when she helps others who are facing challenging circumstances, or feeling lost in their addiction. She lives by the belief that no one should be left to struggle or navigate their wellness alone in the social service system, during their most vulnerable time. By working in this field, she is doing her part to assure no one seeking help has to do it alone.

Peer Specialist 

Tatyanna is a Social Work student and dedicated Peer Specialist who brings both personal and family experience with mental health and recovery. Her own journey has deepened her empathy and commitment to supporting others. She believes in the dignity and worth of every person and in their ability to grow and heal. Guided by the core values of social work—service, self-determination, and the power of human connection—Tatyanna is passionate about creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported on their path to wellness.

Peer Specialist 

Sam has deep roots in the recovery community, and firsthand experience navigating early and long-term sobriety. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing begins with being heard and met without judgment, especially during the vulnerable detox and stabilization period. She brings a steady, compassionate presence, walking alongside others as someone who has been there and understands the fear, hope, and courage it takes to begin again. Sam is dedicated to creating a space where individuals feel supported, empowered, and never alone. Outside of work, she finds grounding in bike rides and time in nature, simple practices that reflect the clarity and peace she helps others discover. For Sam, this work isn't just a job - it's personal, it's purpose, and it's a calling from the heart.