Behind the
Scenes

Amanda West

Executive Director

Amanda earned her Bachelors in Social Work from SUNY Plattsburgh and was excited to enter the field and explore her passion for helping others. She started her work at the Council 15 years ago as an educator. She has held several different roles at the agency until 2018 when she became the Executive Director. Amanda takes pride in providing prevention programs and resources to youth and adults within Warren and Washington Counties. She is a certified trainer in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, as well as a Bridges out of Poverty trainer. When she’s not busy with work, she enjoys biking, hiking, snowboarding, swimming and most importantly, spending time with her family

Allison Reynolds

Assistant Director

Allison started working at the Council as an educator in 2012. She then became the Council’s DSRIP program coordinator.In 2014 she started the Warren and Washington County Suicide Prevention Coalition and Chair’s the group. Allison also leads the Warren and Washington County LOSS Team. She provides extensive trainings in suicide prevention, Mental Health First Aid (adult, youth and teen), SBIRT, Trauma Informed Care, SAFEtalk, ASIST, and Bridges Out of Poverty. Allison is currently the Assistant Director and works with the team of prevention educators to help meet the two counties needs. She also co chairs the Warren Washington county Criminal Justice Task Force coalition.  Allison enjoys hiking, skiing and being with family.

TBD

Director of Hope and Healing Recovery Community Outreach Center

Coming Soon…

Sarah Bourgeois

Senior Prevention Educator

Sarah joined the Council for Prevention October of 2017. Sarah received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Community Health from SUNY Potsdam. as a Senior Prevention Educator, Sarah teaches evidence based programming throughout Warren and Washington Counties to students K-12. Sarah is also a TIPS trainer, an educational training program given to individuals working in establishments that sell and serve alcohol to customers. Sarah also leads staff trainings and maintains WITNYS for the Council for Prevention. She also writes the annual report for OASAS. When not working, Sarah enjoys exercising, going out and trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family.

Gillian Knight

Senior Prevention Educator

Gillian joined the Council for Prevention July of 2019. She received a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Teaching with a concentration in Elementary K-6 Education and Special Education from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. Gillian was a classroom based Special Education Teacher prior to her role at the council. As a Senior Prevention Educator Gillian creates connections within the school districts of Warren and Washington county along with fostering working relationships with school admin to schedule our programming, creating modifications and accommodations as needed for students, and coordinating the prevention educators schedules. She also mentors teachers with Positive Action and PAX, implements a number of our evidence based programming in schools including teen Mental Health First Aid, Alcohol Literacy Challenge, Too Good for Drugs, Botvin Life Skills Training, LionsQuest, It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health, and more. Gillian is a trainer in youth Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Safety for Educators and Staff, Tending the Roots, SAFETalk, and ASIST. Gillian is a Co-Coordinator for the Warren and Washington Counties LOSS Team. She also is a cowriter on the annual report for OASAS and heads the Youth Substance Use and Mental Health biannual survey and reports for school districts within both counties. In her spare time Gillian enjoys spending time with her two dogs and everything travel related.

Ashley Doody

Prevention Educator

Ashley joined the Council in July 2022. She has a Bachelor’s in Adolescent Education: Chemistry from SUNY Oneonta and a Master’s in Secondary Education: Life Sciences from Western Governors University. Ashley started her career as a science teacher, working in schools in Florida, New York City, and Washington County. As an educator for the council, Ashley spends most of her time in the classroom, delivering evidence-based programs to students across grade levels. She is also a Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid Trainer. Ashley is the Liason for SADD and Natural Helpers programming found in the schools districts in both counties. She works to foster the students understanding of how to help their peers through monthly meetings and annual team building outings. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her nieces, going on road trips, and lounging with her Yorkie Poo, Cabela.

Kristin Lyng

Prevention Educator

Kristin started at the Council for Prevention in July 2023. Kristin obtained a bachelor’s in child development from Ashford University and then completed a master’s in teaching through Plattsburgh and is certified in elementary education. As a Prevention Educator, Kristin implements many of our evidence-based programing in local school districts such as Too Good for Drugs, Lion’s Quest, BOTVIN, Teen Mental Health First Aid, and leads out Active Parenting programming. Kristin supports in our SADD and Natural Helpers programming. She also leads Teen Intervene programming in many of our two counties schools to help support students in their recovery journey. In her free time Kristin enjoys watching her boys play sports, attending concerts, and spending time at her camp up north with her family.

Sarah Caimano

Prevention Educator

Sarah joined the Council in February of 2024 as a Prevention Educator. As an educator, she enjoys being involved in area school districts and working with students to better themselves and their communities. She currently leads programming in teen Mental Health First aid, Too Good for Drugs, Vape Escape, and more. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University in Environmental Humanities with a concentration in Environmental Education. Her previous educator roles have included running field trip programs at Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center and substitute teaching in many local districts. Outside of work, Sarah loves hiking, reading, baking, and playing in the drum core for a local Scottish bagpipe band.

Alexis Keenan

Prevention Educator

Alexis earned her Bachelors of Science degree from SUNY Oneonta in childhood education and a Masters of Science from UAlbany in Literacy.  Alexis was an early elementary teacher for 10 years prior to joining the Council in July of 2025.  Alexis is just beginning her journey with the council, but is looking forward to spending most of her time in the classroom with students.  In her free time, Alexis can be found snuggling with her son, crocheting some kind of stuffy, or playing video games with her husband!

Courtney Gifford

Program Coordinator

Courtney joined the Council for Prevention September of 2019. Courtney earned a master’s in education for Grades 1-6 from the SUNY Plattsburgh Teacher Residency Program. Courtney has focused her educational career in Adventure Education, group management, team building and social-emotional learning. As the Program Coordinator, Courtney leads Outing Programs, as well as being an Active Parenting Trainer and Teen Intervene Guide. She also facilitates programming in various schools in Warren and Washington Counties. Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, camping, four-wheeling, crafting and rescuing the occasional animal.

Justine Fox

Peer Engagement Coordinator

Justine Fox is a person in long-term recovery with over eight years of sobriety. She began her recovery journey in September 2017 as one of the first participants in the Opioid Diversion Program, a partnership between the Council for Prevention and the Center for Recovery. After earning her Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CPRA) credential in July 2025, Justine came full circle—returning to the Council for Prevention as a Peer Engagement Coordinator.

Justine is passionate about supporting others on their recovery journeys and is excited to grow in her new role within the field. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two children and creating meaningful memories with them.

Drew Aldrich

Peer Engagement Coordinator

Drew first found Hope and Healing as a resource to begin upon his own recovery journey. There, as a participant, he realized his passion for being there to help individuals find their own path through recovery. Through lived experience he strives to help individuals navigate a lifestyle of maintained recovery. Drew graduated from SUNY Adirondack with an associate’s degree in 2018 and plans to return to school in the near future. Outside of the work week Drew enjoys hiking; playing and watching soccer, music, painting, writing, playing PC games and relaxing with his loving and devoted cat, “Carl”.

Ashley Livingston

Recovery Advocate, CRPA

Ashley Livingston is a person in long term sustained recovery. As a founding member and current co-chair of Friends of Recovery Warren and Washington, her advocacy has been instrumental over the last decade+ in readying our communities to be supportive of recovery and educated about addiction. Her role at Hope & Healing RCOC is that of advocate, but her advocacy goes well beyond that of individuals and their recovery journey. She currently sits on the NYS Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board as well as many other local and state committees to ensure the voice of impacted persons is at the decision-making table. Ashley is a change maker for individuals, communities, NYS, and extends her knowledge, voice, and advocacy to the federal level. Ashley is passionate about recovery, public policies ensuring the dignity of all people, and her family – including her fur babies Roscoe and Princess.

Shawn Olszewski

Certified Recovery Peer Advocate

Shawn Olszewski is a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by substance abuse and those involved with the criminal justice system. His journey with Hope and Healing began in September 2024, when he attended Refuge Recovery meetings alongside a former client. What started as a gesture of support soon grew into a personal calling, as Shawn found connection and purpose through the people he met in the program.

Following his own incarceration, Shawn pursued certification as a Recovery Peer Advocate and became fully credentialed in November 2024. Drawing from his lived experience, he brings empathy, authenticity, and insight to his work, meeting people where they are and helping them navigate their own paths toward a better life.

Shawn is particularly passionate about expanding peer support services within county jails and state correctional facilities. He is actively involved in developing reentry programs that address the many challenges individuals face after release. His approach is rooted in advocacy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of systemic barriers.

Outside of his professional role, Shawn enjoys networking within the recovery community, attending music events and concerts, and traveling. He is also an animal lover with a special affection for dogs.

Melissa White

Peer Engagement Coordinator

Melissa White’s journey is defined by resilience, recovery, and the power of service. Now entering her fifth year of recovery, she has discovered that true happiness comes from giving back—by sharing the very tools that helped her rebuild her own life.

Early in her recovery, Melissa learned that healing is not a solo path. It requires connection, honesty, and support. As she grew stronger, she realized she wanted to pass along what she had gained: hope, encouragement, and practical tools that make recovery possible.

Today, Melissa serves as a Peer Engagement Coordinator at Hope and Healing. In this role, she walks alongside individuals who are finding their own way, offering understanding and guidance from a place of lived experience. Her greatest reward comes from seeing others discover their own strength and knowing she played a small part in their progress.

At the heart of her work is a simple belief: everyone deserves a safe space. She strives to create safety in every interaction, whether through listening without judgment, offering encouragement, or standing beside someone as they take their next brave step. Service keeps her grounded, reminding her that recovery is both a personal journey and a shared responsibility.

Looking forward, Melissa hopes to continue growing—not only in her role but also as a voice for recovery in her community. Her story is proof that change is possible, and her work is dedicated to ensuring others know they are not alone in theirs.