The Michigan Recovery Center of Excellence employs new staff to promote recovery across the state of Michigan

Meet Stephen Batson – MRCE Project Coordinator

 When Stephen Batson delivered a member of the Motor City Clubhouse to her first meeting with the Michigan Recovery Council, he didn’t know he was about to experience an awakening.  He was transporting her to a meeting, but she and her peers were about to transport him to a new perspective.  After listening to a brief dialogue between members of this newly appointed Council, comprised primarily of mental health consumers, he was struck by the thought, “This recovery concept is going to change the world of mental health services.”  Despite many years working in psychosocial rehabilitation and chemical dependency programs, it was this moment, on December 16, 2005, when Stephen realized that the foundation of mental health service delivery in Michigan was undergoing a significant transformation.  

Looking back, Stephen says his entire career has been about recovery.  For the past ten years he worked at the Northeast Guidance Center on the east side of Detroit where he initially managed an intensive outpatient program for people diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.  More recently he established and directed the operation of the Motor City Clubhouse.  After witnessing his first Recovery Council Meeting, Stephen committed himself to taking an active role in the Michigan transformation effort and he has been spreading the word about recovery to anyone who will listen.  He knows that the road to healing is through relationships and embraces the belief that an improved quality of life and the ability to recover is within reach for every mental health consumer.  Stephen also recognizes that people in recovery have stories to tell and that they need to be heard (find more about Stephen’s story in Faces of Recovery). 

 On November 24, 2008 Stephen Batson took on a new role as Project Coordinator for the Michigan Recovery Center of Excellence.

“I could not be happier about being selected to work at the Recovery Center of Excellence and have the chance to play an instrumental role in offering hope and providing support to the many consumers here in Michigan and around the country who will be touched by the Center’s work.”

In addition to his new assignment Stephen Batson has a number of other responsibilities.  In 2007 he was appointed by the Michigan Department of Community Health to the Michigan Recovery Council to serve as the Clubhouse Representative.  He is a Peer Support Specialist Agency Liaison and a member of the Clubhouse Assessment Survey Development Team for the MDCH.  He is also a member of the Michigan Association of Clubhouses.  Steven is a Licensed Master of Social Work, a Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor and a Certified Clinical Supervisor.

Meet Andria Jackson – MRCE Peer Support Specialist

Peers describe Andria Jackson as a great listener, a positive and honest person.  Her smile and enthusiasm are contagious.  Andria is a single mother of three children and a graduate of Mackenzie High School in Detroit.  Since 2004 Andria has been an active member of the Motor City Clubhouse.  In 2007, after gaining employment at the clubhouse, she completed training sponsored by the Michigan Department of Community Health and became a Certified Peer Support Specialist.  

While pursuing her own recovery, it has been important to Andria to be active in educating and advocating for others who are working on their own journeys of recovery.  It is her passion to share, care, learn and take part in community activism.  During the past several years she has joined forces with mental health consumers and other members of the recovery community to participate in a number of community education and anti-stigma initiatives.  On November 24, 2008, when Andria was hired to work as a Peer Support Specialist for the Michigan Recovery Center of Excellence, she took a great step toward her new employment objective, “to obtain a position that would enable her to continue to support consumers on their journeys of recovery.” 

"I am both honored and excited to be a part of a team that embraces recovery.  Although my personal journey of recovery continues, my spirit is at peace knowing that I am spreading hope across the nation through my new job here with the MRCE.  I have always been passionate about helping others and it is a true blessing to be able to do that on a day to day basis."

In addition to her work at the Motor City Clubhouse, Andria has been an active member of the Michigan Recovery Council for over two years.  She is a Peer Support Specialist Agency Liaison and a member of the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Steering Committee and the Improving Practices Leadership Team for Wayne County.  She is a Certified Pathways for You and Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) Facilitator.  Andria also serves as the President of the Mission Board at Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Please join us in welcoming Andria Jackson and Stephen Batson to the MRCE.