Albert Garcia

Andrew Stenovich

Andrew Stenovich is 50 years old, and has lived on the island of Kauai for over 20 years. He is a recovering addict with 6 years sobriety. He is actively involved in Alcoholics Anonymous. The 12 steps of AA have changed his life in ways he could only dream about. One of those ways is the realization that he is passionate about recovery. He’s been through some very dark times and places when he was active in addiction. He now knows it is his purpose to use those experiences to help other people. He is enrolled in the COSUD program at Leeward Community College and has completed one year of schooling to someday become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Next school year he will be continuing with school and his practicum. Andrew says there is very little on Kauai in the form of recovery for substance abusers. He is hoping to be one of many coming through the COSUD program to get more going on Kauai. Andrew says Kauai is in desperate need of more recovery programs. In the future he would like to achieve his master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. He is also in the process of developing a Therapeutic Living home with other students from the COSUD program.

Chillian Filiupu

Chillian Filiupu is an undergraduate student at University of West Oahu in a B. A in Public Administration-Justice Administration. She is in her last year and will be graduating in the Fall of 2023. After she graduates she plans to continue her education in a Masters in Psychology. Her interests are in mental health as a Substance Abuse Counselor and advocacy for unprivileged population especially in the Polynesian community and not limited. She wants to make a difference in the community and help others find their purpose in life. “Being successful to me is being able to use your gift to give back to people in need”.

Edmond Pulu, Jr.

Edmond Pulu Jr is a returning student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences at the University of Hawaii West Oahu. He has recently earned a Certificate of Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling from Leeward Community College and four years into his recovery. He plans to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and continue on to graduate school. After he graduates, he hopes to return home to American Samoa to help those with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. His main interests include mental health, addiction, recovery, and spirituality. He’s grateful for the opportunity to give back to his community working as a substance abuse counselor.

Genesis Kepo’o

Genesis Kepo’o earned her Certificate of Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling (COSUBS) from Hawaii Community College in May 2022. Genesis currently works at The ‘Ohana Addiction Treatment Center on the Island of Hawai’i helping others along the road to recovery. She is working her way to becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) through the Hawaii ADAD.

Julia Lewis

Julia Lewis is finishing up her time at Leeward Community College (as of May 2022) and will be graduating with a degree of Associate of Arts and her COSUDS. She plans to obtain her Bachelor’s in Psychology and then transition to achieve her Master’s of Social Work. Julia’s eventual goal is to accomplish getting her PhD in Psychology. Julia’s career goals include but are not limited to: working with HPD as a social worker, working with domestic violence survivors & perpetrators, and starting her own clinic for mental health & substance abuse disorders. Julia is driven to be a positive light in her community because of her own history with incarceration and addiction. She knows firsthand what it’s like to endure traumatic situations and the lingering effects of destructive events in life. Julia identifies as a “student parent”, with emphasis on parent. While managing her upcoming career, academic journey and other aspects of life, Julia’s young children are prioritized in all that she does. It’s her desire to also be an advocate for other “student parents” as well as a testament that all things are possible.

Kimberly Nabarro

Kimberly is a COSUDS student at Leeward Community College. She completed her Associates of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. She is passionate about serving the population of women and men battling substance use disorder, incarceration, homelessness and those navigating the state’s child welfare system. She served as a Recruitment Peer Facilitator and Peer Mentor for the Access to Education program at Leeward CC Waiʻanae, assisting individuals transitioning into the community from SUD Treatment and prison to consider pursuing higher education. Currently, Kimberly works as a Parent Partner with EPIC ʻOhana and works alongside parents within the child welfare system.

Leialoha Kaleimamahu

Leialoha Kaleimamahu is currently an undergraduate student at Hawaii Community College in Hilo. She has currently finished her course for her human services certificate and is working on her last class in the Certified Substance Abuse program. She will finish off my last year at HCC with my AA in liberal arts degree while also accelerating into UH Manoa for her bachelor’s in social work. After she graduates, she will be working on opening a therapeutic living program with a targeted population for men in recovery. Her interest is working with the community to help with risk assessment, life skills, helping with food and housing for the bettering lifestyle for the people of Kauai.

Marian Redd

Marian Redd, is from the Eastside of Honolulu, HI, who is an intern-substance abuse counselor. Marian graduated with her Master’s Degree, in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Psychology from Chaminade University in Honolulu, HI and obtained her second Bachelor’s Degree in Community Corrections Support Services. She is currently continuing her education and obtaining a certificate in Substance Counseling at Leeward Community College. Marian specializes in working with the correctional population. Marian works with adults who have experienced early age trauma, PTSD, diverse types of bipolar, anxiety, domestic violence, and depression at a dual-diagnosis facility. Marian works with individuals who have co-occurring disorders who come from the correctional population. Marian is a current/active member with the National Honor Society, Tau Upsilon Alpha and The National Society of Leadership and Success. Marian is passionate about her work and is devoted to helping clients attain unique solutions to their specific situations. Forming a strong alliance with a client based on trust, genuineness, and care can create a safe and respectful environment that can be potentially life changing. In her spare time, Marian enjoys traveling the globe and spending time with her family.

Rachel Lehn

Rachel Lehn is a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) student at the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is specializing in Behavioral Mental Health and graduates in May of 2023. She also completed her Certificate of Competence in Substance Abuse Counseling (COSUDS) from Leeward Community College in May 2022. Rachel is a graduate of California Institute of Integral Studies, where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies. Prior to UH, Rachel spent three years living and working in both Bangladesh and Cambodia. She is passionate about intercultural learning and increasing the accessibility of behavioral mental health services for marginalized and underserved populations. She is interested in alternative ways of healing, including somatic and transpersonal therapeutic approaches, and is an advocate of the harm reduction approach towards healing and care. Rachel spent the past year interning with Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center’s Malama Recovery Services, where she provided behavioral health and substance use treatment services. She will be interning with Hawai’i Health and Harm Reduction Center this coming year. Rachel aspires to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.

Roger Sachowski

Roger Sackowski just completed the COSUDS program at Hawaii CC and has earned his certificate in substance abuse counseling. He is headed into his final semester to earn his AA degree with a focus on psychology. After Hawaii CC, Roger will attend the University of Hawaii to earn his bachelor’s degree in psychology. Roger’s ultimate goal of earning his master’s degree in counseling psychology will be realized in just a few short years. Roger has a passion to help the substance use disorder population here in Hawaii. Roger did his internship at Big Island Substance Abuse Council and has been subsequently hired as one of their new substance abuse counselors in the day treatment program. He has had previous experience in substance abuse and can boast 20+ years clean and sober. This is where his passion for helping this demographic stem from. He is committed to removing the past stigmas of substance abuse and is excited to start his new career. When Roger is not focused on healing members of the community he enjoys hiking, reading, meditating, and his spiritual practice.

Shana Winger

Shana Winger is from Seattle Washington and lives in Kea’au on Hawaii island. She is planning on receiving her Associates of Arts Degree at Hawaii CC with a major in Liberal Arts and her COSUDS certification. She plans on transferring to and majoring in Psychology at UH Hilo. Shana hopes to be a mental health and SUD counselor to work with co-occuring disorders.

Zach Hufft

Zach Hufft is a student at University of Hawaii Maui College pursuing higher education to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He is a graduate of Humboldt State University of a Bachelors in Psychology. Zach Hufft is currently working in the field to help individuals that struggle with addiction. Alongside working in the field he is currently taking classes that help him better understand and help the individuals he works with. These things allow him to have well rounded knowledge of the field he hopes to have a life long career in.

Devina (AhYou) Grant

Devina is 48-year-old and currently enrolled at LCC completing the CSAC Program. Devina became passionate about this field while working with the houseless veteran population, where she quickly realized that she was going to have to educate herself about Substance abuse in efforts to best support the client’s she encounters daily. Devina has also decided to continue her education to complete AA in Liberal Arts and then soon transfer to UH Manoa to obtain her bachelor’s in social work. Devina has been humbled by her experiences so far in this field and through this program.

Tassia Avila

Tassia Avila is originally from Brazil and moved to Hawaii when her husband, now a veteran Army soldier, was stationed in Oahu. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. However, she is passionate about helping people. Therefore, in 2021, she decided to pursue a Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate and work in this field. Even though changing careers later in her life was scary to her, Tassia still decided to do it, because she believes that helping other people is truly her calling. Also, being in service to the community is something that she had dreamt about for a long time. Moving forward, after obtaining her Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification, she plans to start a masters program in Social Work (MSW) with a focus on Behavioral Mental Health at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) at Manoa. Upon completing her masters degree, she plans on being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). It is a way for her to extend her CSAC competence and her ability to help the SUD population. She wants to be able to treat not only addiction but also other mental health issues that often occur together. Tassia is excited to start working in this field that is particularly highly meaningful for her while making a positive impact on people’s lives and giving back to this community.

Sarah Barrington

Sarah Barrington was raised where she currently resides in the rural district of Puna on the Big Island. Sarah Barrington has worked professionally as a Program Specialist for youth drug and alcohol prevention as well as case manager working with clients that have substance use disorders. Sarah took time out of the workforce to focus her attention on raising her boys. She has her MA in Public Sociology; BA in Sociology and AAS in Legal Studies. Sarah is currently working on her fieldwork at the Hilo office of Kū Aloha Ola Mau. Sarah felt that the COSUDS program would complement her education to allow her to become more relevant in the SUDS field as well as allow her to serve as a greater resource to her community.

Holly Calvert

Holly Calvert is currently working toward her associate’s degree in liberal arts and an undergraduate degree in substance abuse counseling both at Leeward Community College. Holly hopes to one day have her masters in social work and to work with at-risk youth.

Drew Camacho

Drew Camacho is a student at Hawai’i Community College on the island of Hawai’i. Born and raised in Kailua-Kona, he is currently pursuing his dream of giving back to his community by seeking higher education in the Social Work field. His long-term educational goal is to achieve a Doctorate in Social Work and use that as a catalyst to open a transitional housing program in Kailua-Kona, for parolees returning home from lengthy prison sentences. He hopes to help reduce the recidivism rate in his hometown and ultimately put fathers back into the lives of their children.

Joey Coveleskie

Joey Coveleskie is currently an IOP Substance Use Disorder Counselor with Hina Mauka. Joey is fulfilling the educational requirements in the COSUD Program at LCC, with a goal of earning a CSAC title. An active member of the NA Fellowship, Joey has over 26 years of recovery and is excited to be involved with carrying the message of recovery to others who have the disease of addiction. After finding the rooms of recovery via the NA Program at the age of 30, Joey decided to make a change from the Oil and Power Industry to Human Services. He expects to finish the 2nd Semester of Field Work in the Spring of 2023 and successfully become a CSAC a year later.

Phoebe Kaonohilani Ferguson

Phoebe, originally from California, relocated to Hawai’i to be near her husbands ohana. As an active member of the Harm Reduction community on the island of O’ahu, this work led Phoebe to pursue a path to complete the COSUD program. While actively completing this portion of her education goals, Phoebe also plans to work towards obtaining a Masters in Social Work. While engaging with the unsheltered population continuously on our islands, Phoebe recognized a great need within the caring professions. Phoebe wants to continue to advocate for changes within our community, through Harm Reduction practices, while utilizing her education to assist community leaders by removing the stigmatization of addiction or substance use. With her own personal lived experience, her previous work within the Harm Reduction community in Seattle, Washington, Phoebe hopes that through each educational step she takes, this will help assist with her passion of helping others.

Bernadette Fernandez

Bernadette Fernandez is a student at Leeward Community College- Wai’anae Moku.  A single mother of 3, She has changed her career many times and has settled down with extending her education in Social Services and Law. She is planning on achieving an Associates in Social Science with a COSUD certificate, and double major with Law. She hopes to continue with her education to the highest level that she can go. She is steering towards the Juvenile Justice System to provide her service to the keiki of Hawai’i. I have been inspired into this field by watching and learning from my mother, who obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work. She is a CSW 2 with the State of Hawai’i, Department of Human Services- Child Welfare. As a second-generation student of Dr. Gwen Williams, She is excited to put into practice what she has learned and be a productive member of society that will help to break vicious cycles our society today has to face.

Kristie Keehu

Edward Mersburgh

Ed is a 54-year-old student that is currently enrolled in the Leeward Community College COSUD program. He is a recovering addict and has been clean for 21 years. Ed is also an Ordained Minister and spends a lot of his time working with recovering addicts, homeless, and even at-risk adolescents helping them to realize a better way of life. Ed is currently doing his field work and plans to graduate in 2023 with a certificate of competence then pursue his A.A. and B.A. in Liberal Arts while continuing to help those in need to remain abstinent from substances and help them with food, shelter and employment as needed.

Sonia Mora-Soriano

Sonia Mora Soriano, originally from California, obtained a B.A in Psychology from the University of San Francisco and is currently enrolled at Leeward Community College.  As a Case Manager working with the SPMI population, Sonia has observed the many ways individuals and communities on Oahu have benefitted from services that touch upon the different aspects of one’s lives. Sonia continues to learn about substance use disorders through the COSUD program and has adopted a compassionate and proactive approach to heal the whole person. Sonia will be interning at Malama Recovery Services through Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for their fieldwork while also completing their Master’s in Counseling Psychology. As Sonia continues to grow within the field and gain experience, their goal is to continue their journey in higher education and to be accepted into a doctorate program where they can obtain a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. 

Shirley Prehn

Shirley is a student at Leeward Community College Waianae Moku. In the COSAC/CSAC Course. She is majoring in Liberal Arts and pursuing an AA Degree. She is a recovering addict and on November 7, 2022, she will have 15 years of sobriety. She chose this profession to help other people who are suffering from their addiction. She truly believes that if she can, others can too. By sharing her experience, strength, and hope it can happen. She hopes and prays that she can make a difference in other people’s lives. Her goal is to become the best Substance Abuse Counselor she can be.

Bobby Rodgers

Bobby Rodgers is 66 years old and is a retired veteran living on the island of Oahu. He is a recovering addict with 23 years of sustained abstinence. Over the past 23 years, he has been active in the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous and as a result, he has developed a passion for giving back to his community He has worked with veterans, homeless, and mentally ill populations who struggle with addiction by sharing his experience and strategies for maintaining recovery He has earned an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. He is enrolled in the COSUD program at Leeward Community College and has completed his first year of schooling toward becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Bobby has the desire to become a certified substance abuse counselor at an agency that serves the alcoholic, addict, veteran, mentally ill, and homeless populations. Bobby has the desire to resume pursuing his educational endeavor of completing the Master of Science in Clinical Mental health Counseling Program at Grand Canyon University and becoming a licensed therapist.

Debbie Alamillo

Debbie was born and raised in Maui and previously worked in the travel industry for more than 25 years. She is a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 8 children and enjoys writing, poetry and the ocean. She has a BS in Business Management from the University of Phoenix Maui Campus. In 2021, she was certified as a Community Health Worker (CHW) from the University of Hawaii Kapiolani College, where she completed her CHW practicum hours at the Maui Aids Foundation. Recovery advocacy is one of her passions and she is actively involved with the Recovery Advocacy Project and the Maui Homeless Alliance. She currently works at the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers. Debbie is pursuing the Certificate of Substance Use Disorders with the University of Hawaii Leeward College and plans to obtain the State of Hawaii CSAC certification upon the program completion. Her long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work so that she can positively impact the local island communities in Hawaii.

Amy Blanchard

Amy Blanchard is in her second semester at Leeward Community College studying to get her COSUD certificate. Amy is an Oregon native and graduate of Portland State University with a B.S. in Business Administration.  She works as a Personal Trainer at a gym in Koloa. She plans to work as an addiction counselor on Kauai. She is a mom with two teenage girls and is interested in working with young people to help them find purposeful lives without the use of drugs and alcohol. Amy is also looking to pursue her Master’s in Social Work and to be of service to the people of Kauai where there are currently very limited resources.

Ann Bowers

Ann Bowers is currently in her first semester of study in the COSUDS program at Leeward Community College. She resides on the Island of Kauai and has lived there for 45 years. She is a recovering addict and alcoholic and has 3 years of sobriety. She has experienced all levels of long-term homelessness and criminality. She would like to use her unique understanding of the barriers to being housed and getting sober to benefit her community and she looks forward to helping others.

Crystal Caday-Bargayo

Crystal is a returning student. She completed her CHW certification back in 2018 at Kauai Community College. She works for an agency whose focus is on homelessness. She has been working with the houseless community for the past 13 years, from the emergency homeless shelter to transitional housing. She is pursuing her AA in Liberal Arts and plans to complete her COSUD certification.

Koa Dougherty

Koa Dougherty is a recovering addict originally from Maui. He moved to Pearl City on Oahu to be with his fiance and 20-month-old daughter. Koa is an active member of Narcotics Anonymous that brings a meeting into the ATS treatment facility weekly. He works at the Leeward Community College Waianae Moku campus as a Peer Mentor for the Going 2 Finish On Time and Access To Education programs. Koa is also a college student pursuing his liberal arts degree in social science. His goal is to use his life experiences positively by becoming a certified substance abuse counselor to help other addicts find recovery.

Milo Haneberg

Milo Haneberg resides with his family in Anahola, on Kauai. He is currently in the COSUD Program at Leeward Community College (LCC). Upon completion of the COSUD Program, he hopes to finish his AA at LCC while working towards becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). Milo has a passion for the field of recovery and hopes to combine that passion with some hard work to help Kauai’s addicted population.

Thomas Kirkham

During his BA in human development at Prescott College, Tom Kirkham studied holistic approaches to addiction and recovery. He earned his MA in Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology at Saybrook University. Tom has worked with various populations, behavioral health, and therapeutic settings, including horticultural therapy with at-risk youth and mental health counseling with adult couples and individuals. After moving to Hawaii, Tom became interested in meeting their mental health and addiction counseling needs. Tom is now a student at the University of Hawaii’s Leeward Community College and plans to complete his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Saybrook University in 2025. In his free time, Tom enjoys exploring the beauty in nature of Hawaii.

Legalo Leslie

Legalo is 29 years old and is from Kalihi. She is currently getting her COSUD Certification at Leeward Community College. She is in recovery and cannot wait to use her life experiences as an addict along with the positive life changes she received during her own treatment to help improve the lives of others when she becomes a Substance Use Disorder Counselor.

Shawn Moreland

Shawn Moreland. has lived on Maui for over half of her 50+ years of life. Since earning an AS in Social Science, her professional career has consisted of working within the local community in the field of social services. Her professional experience includes supporting various populations via public and nonprofit agencies. As a single mother of two boys she endured many challenges therefore is no stranger to struggles in life. Shawn is very compassionate and finds purpose and gratification when helping those in need to overcome obstacles. Honored to be part of the HBHTI program, Shawn looks forward to adding COSUD and CSAC to her resume, not to mention serving the community with the skills acquired during this academic journey.

Michelle Rogers

Michelle Rogers is a 38-year-old COSUD student studying at Leeward Community College. Michelle hasrecently had the opportunity to start her journey towards helping other addicts. She is in her first semester of the COSUD program, and she is excited to learn all that the program has to offer. With 7 years of clean time, Michelle has recently been able to pursue her long-time passion. Michelle hopes to obtain her COSUD, AA, BSW and CSAC. In 2015, while in treatment, Michelle had a counselor that made a significant impact on her life and knows the importance of one addict helping another. “All it takes is that one connection to truly make a difference. And I hope to be able to provide that to others seeking recovery

Melvin Yamaki Jr.

Melvin Yamaki is currently a candidate to become a SUD counselor. After working at various State and City agencies, Melvin has lived a second career during the Covid-19 Pandemic and has been working throughout the entire pandemic. He has been a Contact Tracer, a Case Investigator, and a Community Health Worker. As Covid-19 is winding down, Melvin wants to help Hawaii deal with the substance use disorders and mental health problems that have surged during the pandemic. He wants to be remembered as doing all a person could do during the pandemic. Melvin is passionate about Telehealth. He has worked in advancing the use of Telehealth during the pandemic and has seen the advantages it provided both the patient and the provider. He believes that Telehealth will be relied upon post-pandemic and that it will help our rural population get access to health care.

Beau Begeman

Beau graduated from Michigan Tech in 2018 not feeling satisfied. Soon after he would be asked to speak at a drug and alcohol treatment facility that he was once a client at in 2005. His enjoyment and satisfaction working with others struggling with substance abuse prompted a career change. He applied for a position at the treatment center and began working in the field, eventually in the detox department, confronting some of the tragedies of severe substance abuse first hand. The heartbreaking experiences further motivated the career change in helping people struggling with not only substance abuse but other co-occuring disorders, diseases, and criminal recidivism. His first attempt at medical school did not come to fruition so he enrolled in the COSUD program at Leeward Community College to better serve the community.

Gerry Crespo

Gerry Crespo has been in recovery since 2021. He is currently pursuing his Associate Degree in Liberal Arts at Leeward Community College. Gerry is an active member of Narcotics Anonymous and is in a service position as a secretary for Crystal Meth Anonymous. He is currently working at Julia Cafe as a Cook. He hopes to finish his AA at LCC while working towards becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and will complete the COSUDS Program in 2025. His passion is to be an asset to this community and help recovering addicts like himself to achieve and and maintain recovery. Gerry also has been volunteering with Youth Challenge Academy.

Kauʻi Keola

Kauʻi Keola is married and resides in Halawa Heights. She has been teaching for twenty plus years. She is the mother of fifteen children and grandmother to five. Twelve of her children are former foster children that they have adopted. All of the adopted children were exposed in utero to crystal meth. She has the life experience of dealing with the effects of that exposure. She has seen some of her students go through the difficulties of substance use. Kauʻi has the experience of her sons journey with marijuana and crystal meth. With her son, she realized she had no knowledge about any type of substance use. At the time, it was difficult to get a counselor for her son due to the lack of certified counselors. Knowing the higher propensity of substance use by those exposed in utero and how that could affect her own children and so many others with that same risk, Kauʻi has sought out the SUDS program to get educated. When Kauʻi sees a problem, her nature is to step up and try to solve that problem. Her goal is to get certified to help others, especially the youth in Hawaiʻi to live their best life.

Arturo Magana

Arturo Magana is originally from San Diego, California. He moved to Hawaii in 2006 where he met his beautiful Island girl and eventually got married. He is about to celebrate 14 years of marriage with 4 amazing children Ariana, Joshua, Ethan and Brooklyn. His family means the world to him. He enrolled in the COSUDS program at Leeward Community College in 2022. He came from a life of gang violence and drug addiction and now has over 18 years of sobriety. He has a genuine passion to help people, giving them hope in this journey of change and recovery. He hopes to one day become certified and be able to work at a treatment facility!!

Seleena Ramelb

Seleena grew up on the island of Oahu and from a young age made a lot of choices that impacted her life tremendously. As a result of these choices she found herself struggling with life for many years. Through divine intervention and the help of many strong people in recovery. Seleena slowly started to rebuild her life and look towards a future. Over the years she worked at numerous substance abuse treatment centers however, still felt like something was missing. Fearful and with the encouragement of others to motivate her. She took a leap of faith and decided to go back to school in fall of 2023 and is currently studying at Leeward Community College where she is working towards her Associates in Liberal Arts while also obtaining a COSAC and Mental Health Technician Certificate. She is currently working in the behavioral health field while working towards building a residential reentry program and assisting in the opening of a SUD treatment center. Her plans for the future include furthering her work in the Human Services Field while obtaining a dual degree in Social Work and Psychology then ultimately earning a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree all within the U.H. system.