About Us
Advancing Recovery. Changing Systems.
At Recovery Alliance Project (RAP), we believe that substance use recovery is about more than simply overcoming challenges; it is about rebuilding lives, restoring hope, and fostering communities where everyone can thrive.
Founded to fill essential gaps in recovery support—especially for individuals reintegrating into the community after incarceration—RAP provides peer support services that meet people where they are. We recognize that recovery does not occur in isolation; it flourishes through community engagement, support, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.
As a Recovery Community Organization (RCO), we offer non-clinical, relationship-centered services grounded in lived experience. Our focus is on empowering individuals, enhancing recovery capital, and dismantling barriers that hinder long-term success.
Our Mission
To advance recovery through advocacy, peer support services, and initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Our Vision
We envision communities where recovery is embraced, stigma is eliminated, and equitable access to recovery resources is available for all.
What Makes Us Different
Recovery Alliance Project stands out because we believe that lived experience is a transformative force for change. Our peer-led approach fosters authentic connections, builds trust, and equips individuals with the support needed to navigate their recovery journey.
Through recovery coaching, peer support groups, community engagement, reentry navigation, and wellness-focused programming, we assist individuals in building the tools, relationships, and confidence essential for sustaining recovery and achieving their goals.
Our Commitment to Community
We are dedicated to creating a recovery ecosystem that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible. Through partnerships with community organizations, employers, reentry programs, and recovery advocates, we strive to strengthen support networks and create pathways to housing, employment, wellness, and long-term recovery success.
Our Core Values
Empowerment
We help individuals reclaim their voice, purpose, and direction in recovery.
Respect
We foster environments grounded in dignity, compassion, and belonging.
Accountability
We operate with integrity, transparency, and responsibility to those we serve.
Advocacy
We actively challenge barriers and work toward systems that support recovery for all.
Community
We believe that healing happens through meaningful connections—with people, culture, and place.
Interim Executive Director
Michelle Ryder is a mission-driven community engagement professional and collaborative leader with over two decades of experience in recovery advocacy, public service, and operational management. Throughout her career, Michelle has been a passionate champion for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder, trauma, and systemic barriers, consistently working to advance equity, dignity, and sustainable recovery-oriented systems of care, including vital peer support services.
Most recently, Michelle has served her community in key public governance and legislative roles, including as a Trustee for the Grand Blanc Township Board and as a Legislative Assistant within the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. In these capacities, she has effectively navigated policy development, budget coordination, and strategic partnerships, acting as a vital liaison between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to improve public health outcomes and expand access to resources for substance use recovery.
Michelle’s leadership is deeply rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. As the former Board Chair for Serenity House Communities, she provided strategic governance and oversight to expand recovery-focused programming, drive fundraising initiatives, and foster organizational growth. Her background also includes extensive operational leadership, having spent years as a Director of Operations, where she managed organizational workflows, compliance, human resources, and budget tracking while building accountable, compassionate teams dedicated to supporting recovery efforts.
A recognized voice in advocacy, Michelle sits on the Genesee County Opioid Steering Committee, contributing to critical strategies surrounding overdose prevention, stigma reduction, and equitable care accessibility. She is a skilled public speaker on addiction recovery and community resilience, uniquely adept at balancing rigorous operational oversight with a deeply empathetic, mission-first approach. As Interim Executive Director, Michelle brings the strategic vision, administrative acumen, and community-centered focus necessary to guide the organization forward and deepen its impact.
Founder & Director of Strategy
Tara Moreno-Wallen is a nationally recognized recovery advocate, nonprofit leader, and systems-change strategist dedicated to expanding access to recovery support services and enhancing community engagement around substance use recovery.
With over a decade of leadership experience in the recovery field, Tara has built and led innovative, peer-driven programs that bridge gaps between treatment, recovery, reentry, and community support. As the founding Executive Director of a Recovery Community Organization, she effectively secured approximately $1.7 million in public and private funding, developed sustainable recovery support programs, and established peer support services as an essential component of the continuum of care.
Tara's work is grounded in the belief that recovery is possible for everyone and that communities flourish when individuals with lived experience are empowered to lead. Her expertise encompasses recovery community organization development, peer workforce advancement, advocacy, grant development, organizational leadership, and transformative systems change.
She has earned national recognition for her leadership and impact, including being named Advocate of the Year by Faces & Voices of Recovery. Throughout her career, she has championed recovery-friendly policies, expanded peer recovery support services, and worked to reduce stigma while increasing opportunities for individuals and families facing substance use and mental health challenges.
As Founder and Director of Strategy of Recovery Alliance Project, Tara is dedicated to building a community-led recovery infrastructure that advances equity, strengthens recovery capital, and creates meaningful pathways to hope, healing, and long-term recovery.
"Recovery is more than surviving—it's about building a life filled with purpose, connection, and possibility."
Board Chair
Theresa Roach blends deeply personal lived experience with over 15 years of professional expertise in community well-being and community engagement. Guided by a passion for healing, Theresa has dedicated her career to creating spaces and programming that support mental and emotional health, including peer support services for those in need. Her diverse credentials include certifications in trauma-informed yoga and social-emotional learning, mindfulness instruction, and facilitating for the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI). As an ACEs Community Champion, Theresa’s work has left a profound mark on Flint and Genesee County. By championing mindfulness and trauma-informed care, she empowers local residents to navigate life's challenges, heal from substance use and trauma, and build deeply connected communities.
Board Treasurer
Julie Hall is a dedicated nonprofit professional and strategic leader who is a woman in long-term recovery. She utilizes her lived experience to drive meaningful community change through community engagement initiatives. Currently serving as the Grant Writer for Carriage Town Ministries, Julie secures vital funding to support the organization’s mission of serving those in need, particularly in providing peer support services aimed at enhancing substance use recovery.
In addition to her role in human services, Julie is the Co-Founder and Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships for Outreach Optical. This initiative, which she proudly launched alongside her father, a practicing optometrist, focuses on building community partnerships to expand access to essential vision care and improve overall community wellness.
Julie’s personal journey informs her deep commitment to recovery and community engagement. She has a rich history of advocacy and board service, having previously served as the Board Secretary for Serenity House Communities (2016–2017) and contributing her financial oversight skills as the Treasurer for the Recovery Alliance Project. Throughout all her endeavors, Julie remains dedicated to breaking barriers and creating sustainable, impactful support systems for others, especially in the realm of substance use recovery.
Board Secretary
Percy Glover is a transformational community leader with over 20 years of experience advancing workforce development, justice reform, youth leadership, higher education, violence prevention, and community engagement throughout Michigan. His career has focused on developing and leading innovative programs that strengthen communities, expand economic opportunities, and enhance outcomes for youth, families, and justice-impacted individuals, including peer support services for those in substance use recovery.
In his leadership roles across various sectors such as government, nonprofit, workforce development, and higher education, Percy has built strong partnerships among schools, employers, law enforcement, community organizations, and public agencies. His work is grounded in trauma-informed and data-driven approaches that empower individuals while addressing larger systemic barriers. As a respected public speaker, coalition builder, and published author, Percy remains deeply committed to youth empowerment, equitable access to opportunity, stronger families, and creating sustainable systems-level change that helps communities thrive.
Grant Writer
Cole Eckerman is a passionate advocate for nonprofits and community engagement, backed by over 20 years of experience in driving successful fundraising and development initiatives. From grassroots campaigns to leading museum fundraising, her expertise covers the full spectrum of support services, including those focused on substance use recovery.
Cole founded Eckerhaus Consulting to empower organizations to connect with donors, enhance their impact, and achieve their missions. Her strategic insights and commitment to building meaningful relationships have transformed countless causes. Holding a Master's in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy, Cole draws inspiration from her family, her team, and her three beloved dogs.
Accounting
Walker June Calhoun has been working to help clients better their businesses and ease their tax and accounting needs for over 35 years. Our commitment to customer service, dedication, and high-quality services extends to fostering community engagement and providing peer support services for those in substance use recovery.
