Sheri Cindrich

Co-Founder\Co-Executive Director

 

She is a Jewish woman in long-term recovery from co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Sheri is also the Founding Executive Director, Founder, and Board President of recovery Cafe Frogtown, where she helped to expand and implement a recovery community center , recovery support programs infrastructure, and advocate for the development of peer-led community-based recovery support services in St Paul, Minnesota.  Sheri grew up in the Frogtown neighborhood where she lived in Anoka County for 8 years. She is actively involved in these communities in many capacities through many years of volunteering in recovery, serving on boards, and being a sound leader in recovery. Sheri’s executive experience in her 20 years working for the government and mental health fields has given her a thorough understanding of the needs of the people and communities of the surrounding Twin Cities area. She has long standing relationships with many of the key stakeholders in these areas, and is a Licensed Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. She is a member of the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery & Chemical Health (M.A.R.C.H.), Ramsey County OPUS Coalition, Ramsey County Substance Use, and Recovery Committee.  

Bill LeClair

Co-Founder\Co-Executive Director

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Bill is married and a long-time resident of Anoka County. He leads Life Recovery Ministries at Northstar Community Church in Coon Rapids. Bill has been involved with and helped start many other programs that promote long term recovery. Served on the board for an annual event Community Hope Fest in Minnesota. Being actively involved in his recovery it has allowed him to build a large network of recourses in the recovery community. Seeing the need for programs to help those who struggle with addiction and mental health issues grow in our area he looks forward to being part of a team that is able to provide help, hope and encouragement to those in need. This type of community centered program has been a vision and to see it happening is a blessing him and his own recovery.

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Holly VanKempen

Treasurer

 

Holly has lived in Anoka County for the last 13 years with her children. Holly comes from a family line of substance use disorders and mental health disorders and she's passionate about helping others find freedom and a better life. She holds a bachelor's degree in business with a minor in finance. 

Joshua Smith

Vice President

 

In long term recovery He struggled with addiction and criminal thinking behavior of 20 plus years. He does not have any fancy degrees, but has a passion for sharing his experiences. He helps others by preventing them with spending as much time he as cycled through the same issues. So he understands what it is like to be in and out of jail and treatment. He did not make it until he found his savior Jesus Christ  and showed him that he was worth more then his past.

Andrea Lemon

Secretary

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She is a dedicated advocate for recovery in addiction. With a deep personal and professional ties to the field her experience spans multiple roles. This included teaching in adolescent treatment programs, operating a sober home for women, and working as a peer recovery specialist. Her commitment to supporting both individuals in recovery, and their families. It is evident through her facilitation of support groups and her practice of the Invitation to Change approach she has a passion for helping those struggling.

David Johnson

Founding Board Member 

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Dave Johnson has been a Chaplain for 12 plus years, worked at the Salvation Army ARC as a counselor, and worked at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge (MNTC) for 5 years. While at MNTC he helped a young man get in the program who was doing well, but he did something he shouldn't have This person was then just discharged. This individual relapsed with drugs where he later OD'd and died. God spoke to Dave about coming alongside the lost and brokenhearted. It lead to him starting Lost Sheep Ministries Int'l which has been operating for 7 plus years now.

Matthew Hart

Event Coordinator/Founding Board Member

Matthew has served with Recovery Corps and Minnesota Teen Challenge starting 2022, because he wanted people who were starting their recovery journeys to have an empathetic voice they could rely on and look to for guidance. Because Recovery Navigators each have their own lived experience with recovery, he saw Recovery Corps as the perfect opportunity to start making an impact.

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“It took me a lot of time and a lot of work to find resources, so to have somebody that has the route to get there, it feels less defeating,” he says. “I wonder sometimes where I would be in my personal journey if somebody would have been able to take more time to be a part of my story.” via AmeriCorps interview

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Matthew is grateful for the opportunities he had as a Recovery Navigator to network with tried-and-true recovery professionals who have a wealth of knowledge in the community. While he’s just starting this new chapter, he hopes to become another experienced member of the community himself.

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“I would like to be known for the recovery part of things,” he says. “It used to be that when people would hear my name, they’d say, ‘Oh Matt, he's up to no good.’ Now I’m building a new identity in recovery and going down the path of being able to help people build on what they already have.” via AmeriCorps interview

Jackie LeClair

Founding Board Member

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She grew up in North Minneapolis, MN. She has been clean over 16 years. Her and her husband, Bill LeClair lead recovery ministry at Norhstar Community Church. Her passion is to come along side women and help them find freedom from addictions by starting with loving themselves.

Jason Rudeen

Communications and Outreach 

Host of The Way Out Podcast

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My name is Jason Rudeen and I'm a person in long term recovery, which for me, means I haven't felt the need to pick up a drink or a drug since July 23rd 2016. I am One of the hosts of The Way Out Podcast, as well as Recovery Revolution Live.  I'm also a trained CPRS and a Stephen Minister as well.  I look forward to helping the people in Anoka County find healing and support through the Recovery Café of Anoka County!

Nick Leclair

Board Member