Board of Directors

I have experienced many changes throughout my life and understand that we can not always do things alone. Some of us are fortunate to have family and friends to lean on and to turn to, however there are many that do not have this luxury. I spent several years in my early adult life working and living with the ones with mental illnesses, less privileged lives, and past abuses. I work with Community Friendship because I love the people and I grow personally by being near those who love and those who love to serve.

It is my pleasure to serve on the board of directors for Community Friendship Inc. I am passionate about advocating for Individuals with behavioral health needs and fostering supportive communities. With a long history of working with Individuals facing behavioral health challenges, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of peer support. Peer support promotes healing and also cultivates a sense of belonging and understanding among those navigating similar paths.
I believe that by contributing my knowledge and commitment to our mission, I can help shape initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen our community. Serving on the board allows me to work collaboratively with others who share this vision, ensuring that we create meaningful opportunities for connection, healing, and hope for all.

CFI is a fixture in of the mental health landscape. It provides so much to our community. I want to give back to an organization that has given support and promoted recovery for individuals who traditionally have few options and resources. Because of CFI, so many adults with severe and persistent mental health conditions are living fuller, meaningful lives!

I support CFI and have been on the board for 14 years because CFI does so much good in supporting individuals with mental health challenges. I have had my struggles with mental health since I was in college and have been able to rely on family during the darkest times. CFI provides support to individuals that can't rely on family to support them through the dark times.

I have been involved with CFI as an advisory or governing board member for over 40 years and my love and respect has grown over time. CFI is widely acknowledged as a program of excellence because it puts the consumer at the center of what it does. Sounds simple doesn’t it? But it takes visionary leadership and caring staff who do the hard work every day.
The next year will be full of opportunities and challenges but I’m confident that the staff and board will meet these in a way to put CFI on firm footing for another 50 years or excellent service.

CFI most exemplifies my passion to be included in transforming ostracized individuals disabled by mental, behavioral, and psychiatric health challenges from community ostracism and exclusion to community embracement, welcomed inclusion/integration, and personal thriving through support, understanding, and enabling growth relationships, i.e., things that improve all our lives.

No one succeeds without community. The human connections, the support, the ground that belong brings should be afforded to everyone. Especially those that are most vulnerable, including adults with psychiatric disabilities. Serving an organization the focuses holistically on enabling independence and supporting life for adults with psychiatric disabilities is an honor and a privilege.

It is all too easy to turn away from those with severe mental illness. CFI allows us to express our highest values and common humanity and see what we can do to support recovery, housing security, and wellbeing for all in our community.

I am thrilled to serve on the board of directors for CFI, driven by a deep passion for its mission and vision. I believe in the transformative power of mental health services, providing vital support for individuals during their most vulnerable moments. My values, experience, and skills perfectly align with CFI’s goals. I am proud to contribute to strategic decision-making, foster collaboration, and uplift the CFI team and their clients. Every person deserves to feel heard, seen, and valued.

Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a chief executive at both the city and state levels. The core mission of local and state governments is to serve the public, but the challenge lies in providing opportunities for all. During my tenure with the City of Atlanta, I have gained an appreciation for the challenges of realizing the goal of providing opportunities for underserved communities.
I was not actively seeking a new endeavor to serve on another board; however, I believe my faith has drawn me to the amazing work being done by CFI. This organization is taking a truly underserved community and transforming lives by investing in the mental health and well-being of its residents and the community. I am humbled to be able to contribute my skills and expertise to such an inspiring organization.

Community Friendship Inc. Housing Services II Board of Directors

In addition to personally experiencing the loss of a brother-in-law with schizophrenia because he was unable to stay on his meds, I have also long believed that persons with any type of mental illness deserve greater support, financially and socially, from the public. While I lack the skills and knowledge to help such persons directly, serving on the Boards of CFI and its housing affiliates over the years has allowed me to help ensure that this support is provided through Community Friendship’s expert and dedicated staff.

For over fifty years CFI has epitomized dedication and service to individuals with long term psychiatric disabilities. It is committed to listening, to learning, and to serving. From day programs to vocational programs, from supportive group homes to apartments, CFI is always evolving to meet changing needs. For me, as well as for its clients, it has been a source of strength and hope.