Meet Our Team
Michelle
Executive Director
Michelle started as the first paid executive director for Friendly Harbor in 2020. Since then she’s seen it grow exponentially and has guided the Harbor through several ups and downs. She was born and raised in Kansas and came to Pueblo as a young adult. She lives on a ranch and loves Pueblo’s weather. She values family, her faith and is an active community member, making connections every where she goes. When asked what Friendly Harbor means to her, Michelle says, “To me, the Harbor represents hope for any one struggling and it’s proof that people can recover and then in turn, give back to those who are seeking recovery.”
Bill
Staff and Finance Coordinator
Bill is originally from Cincinnati, OH but has lived in Pueblo over 25 years. He’s been doing Peer work since 2011 and loves Pueblo’s small town atmosphere. Outside of Peer work Bill fills his life richly with things like, spending time with his family and friends, time in the outdoors, his spiritual journey, sports, and movies. When asked about what he’d share about his recovery journey Bill says, “I’m in recovery from mental health and substance use issues. I’ve been clean and sober for 26 happy years and haven’t had a serious mental health issue for about 20 years. Recovery for me is a feeling of peace and serenity. During my real difficult years, a lot of people stepped up to the plate to help me out. My work as a Peer Support Person is my way of giving back to the community.” Bill hopes to instill in his Participants a spirit of paying it forward as they progress in their recovery.
Laura
Project Coordinator
Laura is a Southern CO native and loves the outdoors. She likes to snowboard, hike, fish, and camp. Her absolute favorite things are Texas Hold ’em and riding her Indian motorcycle. She became the Programs Director in 2020. Laura is a member of the LGBTQ community and has her bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Leadership and Management. Laura believes Recovery means living her best life, fulfilling her goals, being happy and being able to be there for others. Something she wishes all her Peer Participants knew is, “You can’t control what other people do or feel. You can only control what you do. Do right and be kind.”
Heather
Admin Assistant and
Peer Support Specialist
Heather made Pueblo home in 2017 after spending time in upstate New York and being raised jjust outside Kansas City, MO. She says, “Pueblo has been very good to me. I’m happy to be a part of such a diverse community.” Heather’s hobbies outside of Peer work include community theater, attending weekly karaoke and one day she hopes to do some traveling but will always call Pueblo home. When asked about what recovery means to her, she says, “Recovery is a conscious choice, prioritizing taking care of yourself and your needs, having goals even when you can’t see the finish line, and doing the steps to get you to where you wanna be. It isn’t easy, things don’t always fall into place but it’s always worth it.” She wants her Participants to know that you can decide at any point to be in recovery, as many times as it takes, it’s possible and there’s a beautiful life after any crisis.
Becca
Billing Specialist and
Peer Support Specialist
Becca is from Roswell, NM but made a home in Pueblo in February of 2018. She’s been diligently serving in Peer work since summer of 2022. When asked what she likes about Pueblo, Becca says, “I have absolutely fallen in love with Pueblo and its awesome, diverse community. Pueblo has become home to me.” Her pride in this community is reflected in her work. Art is her passion outside of Peer work. Becca loves anything craft or artistic and believes it’s an effective outlet for her. She also likes puzzles, games and anything Sci-fi. When it comes to Becca’s recovery story she’d like to share this: “Recovery for me has been about my healing journey and creating a life that I am excited to wake up to everyday. Recovery is an ongoing process of growth and continual maintenance for me. I have been sober from Alcohol and Drugs since 6/06/2020 and it has been the best decision I have ever made.”
Desiree
Billing Specialist and
Peer Support Specialist
Desiree has traveled well across the country but has come to settle recently in Pueblo. She likes that Pueblo has lots of things to see and activities throughout the year to attend. Desiree started her Peer support journey in early 2024 and finds she has a heart for people who want to recover. Desiree says that to her, Recovery is a process and actively participating in working on yourself. She wants her Participants to know, “This too shall pass.” Outside of Peer work, Desiree is passionate about making CBD products.
Stacey
Peer Support Specialist
Originally from Denver, Stacey moved to Pueblo 33 years ago. He has been doing Peer work since 2013. He enjoys Pueblo’s small town feel and likes where he’s living. Stacey feels there’s a great sense of community in the city of Pueblo. Outside of his work with Peer Participants, he likes going to football, baseball, and basketball games. Stacey has been sober from substances for over 14 years and accredits his belief in his Higher Power to his recovery journey. Stacey says the best part about working with Participants is working one-on-one with someone on their wellness goals and giving positive feedback.
Jenifer
Peer Support Specialist
Jenifer has lived in Pueblo since the 2010s, and when not working at or on behalf of Friendly Harbor, she tries to spend as much time with her young daughter as possible. When asked about her lived experience Jen had this to say, “Seems like I have an alphabet soup of diagnoses: MDD(treatment resistant), SAD, OUD, Misc Anxiety Disorders, and c-PTSD due to a lot of trauma – including surviving violence and assaults – both physical and sexual, homelessness, domestic violence, narcissistic abuse, and probably some others I’m not thinking about right now.” These experiences haven’t hardened her heart though, Jen says seeing the overall improvement in the people she works with – watching people accomplish goals they didn’t think they had the ability to carry out, much less complete, is the most satisfying part of Peer work. Jen truly strives to be the embodiment of Recovery.
Michael
Peer Support Specialist
Michael was born in south Texas and has made Pueblo home since 2002. He became a Peer in 2018 and has been an asset to the Harbor ever since. Michael is drawn to the caring spirit of the Pueblo community. Outside of Peer work, he works with and trains horses and has many years of ranching experience. To Michael, recovery means staying sober and giving back to the community that supported him in his recovery. In his work, he hopes that Participants know that they don’t have to be alone in their recovery journeys.
Marcie
Peer Support Specialist
Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado Marcie has prior experience working down at the Pueblo Soup Kitchen and wanted to take it a step further to become a Peer and help others who have been in similar situations. She enjoys the gems Pueblo has to offer like football games and the State Fair and the Chile and Frijole Festival. Outside of peer work she likes to go outside and be in nature; hiking, camping and being in the mountains especially. When asked what Recovery means to her Marcie said, “Recovery is everything to me! It saved my life and made me realize there are others out there who are willing to help you and walk alongside you to get you back on track. I love that my children get to see me in recovery and know that anything is possible if you are willing to put in the hard work.” and she wants others to know, “Just because you have made a mistake, it doesn’t define you who you are or who you can become. Recovery is not linear and it’s not a cookie cutter process for everyone. It’s not the end of the world if you mess up. Just get back up and try again. We get that chance every single day.”
Derrick
Peer Support Specialist
Born and raised in Alabama until joining the military in 2003, he was discharged from the Army in 2007 at Fort Carson and has lived here in Pueblo ever since. Derrick has been diligently doing peer work since 2022. When asked about what Derrick likes about Pueblo he says, “I have found Pueblo to be very family orientated especially when someone is in need. The community college here has helped me get my life back on track through education. I always say, ‘Education is Key in Recovery.’” Derrick has a passion for education and meets anyone where they are at in their recovery and aids them in their pursuit of a better quality of life should they desire. When asked about his personal recovery journey Derrick has this to share, “After serving four years in the Army and returning from a 18 month deployment in Iraq, I returned a different person. It has taken several years to get back on track and figure out who I am and who I want to become. I have been in recovery for three years and in that time, I have earned a degree and am now in pursuit of a Bachelors. No matter what you have been through in life we can always attend college. No one can take your education from you.”
Zoe
Peer Support Specialist
Zoe was Born in Manhattan, KS, Zoe was raised in Pueblo, CO and has lived here for 30 years. Zoe started volunteering as a peer support at the Harbor last year and started working officially January 1, 2025. When asked what she likes about Pueblo Zoe said, “I love our culture and history of Pueblo. I love the Arkansas river and how close we are to the mountains. I love how quiet it is here. I can just go outside and be in nature. I think the weather is perfect too.” Outside of Peer work you’ll fiend Zoe, trying new things, exploring and getting lost in art. She loves drawing and watching cartoons because they also express emotions. She is passionate about mother earth and animals, the trees, the river, the sky. She loves swimming in the summer, mind puzzles, painting, reading, science, spirit, energy and laughter. Zoe brings a spirit of joy and friendship wherever she goes. When asked what recovery means to her Zoe says, “Recovery, for me, means looking at my own flaws and loving myself anyways. It means therapy, trust, compassion, change and being able to breathe. Recovery means growth and discovery, a new outlook and confidence in myself and my actions. Recovery means choice with clear headed thinking. Recovery means healing and transformation. Recovery means acceptance of self and others. Doing self-care. Being mindful. Having hopes and desires. Rebirth.” She wants her participants to know that through her own recovery journey she has learned how to swallow pride and reach out for help when she needs it and how to accept help that is offered. She learned self respect and how to set boundaries. She learned how to find the light in the darkest of places and how to keep moving forward through tough times and hopes to inspire others to do the same.