Nicky Fadley

Founder and Executive Director

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Nicky Fadley is the founder and Executive Director at Strength In Peers. Grounded in her lived experience with mental health recovery and overcoming trauma, she focuses on developing peer recovery support programs and advocating for individuals who struggle with behavioral health challenges. Nicky has over 12 years of experience in the field of nonprofit public health, including seven years in grant writing and program management. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from James Madison University.

What recovery means to Nicky:

“Recovery means that I understand who I am, how I feel and what I need. It’s knowing that I will always walk through thunderstorms, but they will pass. And it’s believing that I am worth the same love and grace that I shower on others.”

Ragan McManus

Deputy Director, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Ragan is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist and serves as Deputy Director at Strength In Peers. Ragan joined the team in 2017 and has provided peer support through all of the organization’s programs. She is a certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery Specialist and utilizes various recovery models and methods including 12-step recovery, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Intentional Peer Support (IPS), and Motivational Interviewing. She is a qualified ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Interface trainer and a Certified Personal Medicine Coach. Ragan also serves as a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Instructor and trains CPRSs throughout the Commonwealth in the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Office of Recovery Service’s Crisis Service Training for Peer Recovery Specialist. In addition to her work as a Peer Support Specialist, Ragan holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from CalArts and a B.F.A. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to working at Strength In Peers Ragan served as Chief Curator and Director of Education at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach. Ragan has been in recovery since May 28, 2008. In her spare time, Ragan enjoys hanging out with her family and pets, creating art, going for nature walks, and volunteering.

What recovery means to Ragan:

“For me, recovery is about recognizing my strengths and weaknesses so I can work daily to change and counteract negative thoughts and behaviors with wellness and activity that brings me, and hopefully those around me, joy. It’s a constant work in progress.”

Lindsey Eye

Program Manager, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist,

Certified Anger Management Specialist

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Lindsey serves as the Outreach Manager for the entire Strength In Peers organization. In her role, she organizes, coordinates, and supports Strength In Peers’ marketing and outreach to promote the organization’s mission, programs, and educational initiatives. Lindsey collaborates with staff across the organization to ensure consistent public messaging, reach key populations, and achieve outreach objectives.  Lindsey is a native of Harrisonburg, attending Harrisonburg High School and receiving her Bachelor’s degree at James Madison University. Lindsey started her journey with Strength In Peers’ in July 2022 after working on her personal recovery from trauma and mental health for the last decade. Lindsey has always had an immense passion for helping others and networking. She is excited this position allows her to use her skillsets to make an impact in people’s lives. In her spare time, she teaches yoga as a certified yoga instructor helping people balance their mind and body.

What recovery means to Lindsey:

“Recovery is being willing to be vulnerable, to grow through what you go through, and being open to continuous self-development.”

Jenni Collings

Program Manager, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

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Jenni serves as Strength In Peers’ Programs Manager for the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County catchment area. In her role, she supports Peer Recovery Specialists that work for the organization’s Back on Track, Safe and Secure Homeless Respite, and Recovery House programs. Jenni is passionate about helping other people find recovery so they may have a better way of life. She has worked a program of recovery since 2006. Prior to Strength In Peers, Jenni was a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 20 years. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and is trained in W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), Chronic Pain Management, Chronic Disease Management, HIV and Hepatitis C Testing/Counseling, and Motivational Interviewing. She enjoys spending time with her family, guiding women through their recoveries, and cooking.

What recovery means to Jenni:

For me, recovery is a process. A lifelong journey involving a series of steps that I take to make a better life on many dimensions: physical, mental, and spiritual. Recovery has given me a sense of purpose and connection, and the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.”

Alex Boudreau

Program Manager, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Alex is a  Certified Peer Support Specialist and a Registered Peer Recovery specialist with Strength in Peers who is from the Northern Shenandoah Valley. She is the Program Manager of the New Market Office and oversees the Side-by-Side Recovery Program, Youth Mentoring Program, Grambling Program, and Comprehensive Harm Reduction Program.  Additionally, Alex is trained to provide HIV and Hepatitis C testing.  Alex is in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. She pursued being a peer specialist because she has first-hand experience seeing how Peer Support has helped her life. Now she enjoys being able to use her lived experience to help others move forward in their recovery. She is also a SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Facilitator, APPR (Action Planning for Prevention & Recovery) Facilitator, and trained in Motivational Interviewing, and Intentional Peer Support.

What recovery means to Alex:

“Recovery has allowed me to have the life I had long dreamed for. I am able to be a present and dependable mother to my children. I am able to spread hope and inspiration to those seeking, and have patience and understanding to those who are not. Recovery to me means that I believe in myself and know I am worth it!”

Mandie Bishop

Program Manager, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Mandie Bishop, a native of Southwest Virginia, began working at Strength in Peers in October of 2021. She currently serves as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist on the Side-by-Side program and for the organization’s Recovery Center. Mandie has an associate’s degree in Legal Assisting from Mountain Empire Community College. In November of 2021 she completed her training to become a S.M.A.R.T Recovery facilitator. In January of 2022 she completed the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) 72-hour Peer Recovery Specialist training and completed her 500 hours of peer services. On February 25, 2022, she became Certified in the State of Virginia as a Peer Recovery Specialist. Mandie pursued becoming a Peer Recovery Specialist after many years of battling a substance use disorder. Her personal recovery comes from a 12-step background and the hope she received from others in long-term recovery. Her passion is showing others that recovery is possible through her own lived experience with addiction and recovery.

What recovery means to Mandie:

“Recovery to me is working on successfully managing my addiction and regaining control and stability in my life. It is the ability for me to finally be a mother to my children. Recovery is person-driven and emerges from hope!”

Mary Beth Hill

Resource Center Coordinator

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Mary Beth Hill is the Coordinator of the Community Resource Center. She has a background in social work and worked with the Head Start Program before coming to Strength in Peers. After losing her infant son in 2014, Mary Beth became active in the Sadie Rose Foundation, a local organization providing support for child loss. This is where she was first introduced to non-clinical peer support and the healing that comes through peer support groups. Recently, Mary Beth also completed the Peer Recovery Specialist training offered by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services – Office of Recovery Services. Through the Community Resource Center, Mary Beth offers one-on-one support to help connect community members with local resources. She enjoys listening to people’s unique stories as they work towards improving their lives.

What recovery means to Mary Beth:

“Recovery is accepting the challenges life throws my way and sharing my experiences with the hope that it will help others on their recovery journeys.”

Chris Shope

Project Coordinator, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

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Chris is a Project Coordinator and Certified Peer Support Specialist serving on the Side-by-Side Recovery Program in Shenandoah and Page Counties. He is in long-term recovery from substance abuse, trauma, and mental health challenges. Chris has an associate’s degree in Human Services from Blue Ridge Community College, and is trained in Intentional Peer Support, Motivational Interviewing, SMART Recovery, and W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). His personal recovery comes from a 12-step background and is grounded in his lived experience.

What recovery means to Chris:

“What recovery means to me-living my best, most authentic life.”

Richard Jackson

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

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Richard is a Virginia Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who moved from Florida to Virginia in 2002. It is his desire to assist others in achieving their life goals and overcome addictions, trauma and mental health issues. He and his wife are Statewide Volunteers with the Virginia Department of Corrections, conducting Christian services in prisons. He is also associated with Kingsway Family Outreach/Prison Ministry. Prior to being employed with Strength In Peers in November 2015, he worked with Open Doors Shelter and saw the great need in the community for hope and recovery.

What recovery means to Richard:

“When we realize that substance abuse has destroyed our life, there are choices to make. We can seek recovery and support but our desire has to be strong. Without recovery our future is bleak, our lives are out of control. We must choose wisely, recovery is the proper choice.”

Megan Rohrbaugh

Program Coordinator, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

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Megan is a Peer Recovery Specialist with Strength In Peers serving on the Back on Track Program in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. She is in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges. Megan believes that recovery is possible for all and hopes to share her own lived experience with others and walk beside them in their own journey. She is currently working on her degree in Human Services, and it is her goal to become a Substance Use Counselor. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and 4 children and stays busy with their various sporting events.

What recovery means to Megan:

“Recovery to me is finding my true self, being the best mom to my kids, and having a new beginning in life.”

Stephanie Reedy

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

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Stephanie is a Peer Recovery Specialist at Strength in Peers and serves on the organization’s Safe and Secure and Recovery House programs. She is in active recovery for mental health and substance use challenges. Stephanie’s recovery foundation is based on a 12-step program and she is an active member of the 12-step community. In her spare time Stephanie likes gaming and listening to music. She is grateful to have the ability to give back to a community of her peers and to have the opportunity to make a difference.

What recovery means to Stephanie:

“Recovery has given me the opportunity to reinvent a new life for myself. I am able to help those in the community that have struggled with the same things I have. I love seeing people thrive and have lives they can be proud of.”

Shea Mackie

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

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Shea is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist at Strength In Peers and serves the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County catchment area. She is originally from Maine and relocated to Harrisonburg in 2010. Shea is in long-term recovery from mental health and trauma-related challenges. She is also a family support person for family members with substance use disorders. Shea is currently in school working on her bachelor’s in social work and has always had a passion for working with people. She has seen first-hand how peer relationships have worked in her own recovery, and hopes to provide that same support and hope to others. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, traveling, and making memories.

What recovery means to Shea:

“Recovery to me is understanding and accepting my past, being grateful for today, and hopeful for the future.”

Madelyn Adams

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Madelyn is a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist with Strength In Peers and serves in the organization’s Community Resource Center which provides services for residents in the City of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County. Madelyn is a native of Page County and began working at Strength In Peers in June of 2022. In May 2022 Madelyn completed her DBHDS Peer Recovery Specialist Training and after finishing her internship hours, Madelyn passed her certification test in January 2023 becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In February 2023 Madelyn became a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist through the Virginia Board of Counseling. Madelyn is motivated to help the community get connected to resources as well as find support through peer recovery. She is in long-term recovery from substance use and mental health challenges and she believes that recovery is a gift and that anyone can recover. Madelyn shares her lived experience so others know they are not alone. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, her husband, and her four-legged kids.

What recovery means to Madelyn:

“Recovery to me is having a positive outlook on life, and having the power of personal choice and freedom. I’m progressing every day to be a better version of myself — one day at a time.”

Beth Nelson

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist

Beth, a native of Rockingham County, started at Strength in Peers as a Youth Mentor in December 2022. She is in long-term recovery from substance use, trauma, and mental health challenges. Beth has completed training in Trauma-Informed Care and Active Parenting of Teens, and is currently in Evidence-Based Mentoring training. She is passionate about harm reduction and teen mental health. In her spare time, Beth enjoys swimming, hanging out with her cat, and model railroading.

What recovery means to Beth:

“For me, recovery means a better way of life, lived with honesty and compassion. It is being present, giving myself grace to grow and heal, and spreading hope and awareness.”

Board of Directors

Laura Black, President

Systems Administrator
Institute for Community Alliances

Dr. Jacquelin Maxwell, DSL, CSAC

Coaching & Consulting
JacLovelle Coaching & Consulting

Jason Kidd

Bureau Commander – Captain – Patrol Division
Harrisonburg Police Department

Marsha Rodeffer, BSN, RN

Nurse Manager Senior
Central Shenandoah Health District, VDH

Natalie Gazzara

Administrative Assistant
Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority

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Jennie Amison, Past-President

Cognitive Therapeutic Community Supervisor
Virginia Department of Corrections

Peggy Plass, Past-President

Professor of Justice Studies
James Madison University