New England NARR Conference May 15th 2025
The NE NARR Affiliate Regional Conference is a one day conference being held on Thursday, May 15th at SHNU (Southern New Hampshire University) Campus in Manchester, NH. The conference aims to bring together professionals from the recovery residence field to discuss best practices and strategies for operating a successful residence that meets national standards for safe, ethically operated, resident focused, social model recovery housing.
The day will include break-out sessions for new and prospective operators and house leaders (Peer Support Specialists) as well as designated times to visit with our vendors. Attendees, from across New England, will have the opportunity to network with peers and hear from a variety of educational guest speakers who are experts in the field.
Southern New Hampshire University (Campus)
at the Dining Center - Banquet Facility
2500 North River Road
Manchester, NH
Thursday, May 15th
8 am - 4 pm
Registration fee is $35 - includes a light breakfast & lunch - register here
If you are interested in being a Sponsor/Exhibitor for the NE NARR conference, click here for more information.
Speakers
David M. Sheridan
Executive Director of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences
Dave Sheridan is a co-founder and current Executive Director of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. He is a national speaker and writer with a primary focus on the development and operation of statewide recovery housing systems. In addition to his work at the national level, Dave advises state agencies on the establishment and growth of their recovery housing support and oversight systems. He has been involved in policy development for recovery housing, including model state recovery housing legislation, on medication-assisted recovery, and on fair housing issues and related legislation.
Dave is a person in long-term recovery and has been active in the addiction recovery field since 2005, initially as a board member of a Southern California recovery housing organization. His experience in the field includes management positions for a treatment provider, and he currently serves on the boards of two nonprofit recovery residences. Dave’s professional background is in institutional investment management, where he held executive positions with nationally prominent financial institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Berkeley and an MBA from the University of California Berkeley’s Haas Graduate School of Business.
Corrie Vilsaint, PhD
Associate Director at MGH Recovery Research Institute
Dr. Corrie Vilsaint serves as the Associate Director of Recovery Health Equity at the MGH Recovery Research Institute, research scientist at the Center for Addiction Medicine, and Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Vilsaint is a community psychologist and an international speaker, whose work has been recognized by an award from the American Psychological Association. Her research endeavors have focused on racial health equity in remission and recovery, reducing recovery-related discrimination, building recovery capital, and the effectiveness of recovery support services.
Autumn McCraw
WV RHP Project Coordinator & Community Engagement Coordinator at WVARR
Autumn McCraw brings a wealth of lived experience and professional expertise to her work, spanning human trafficking, substance use disorder recovery, and reentry after incarceration. Drawing from her personal journey, Autumn has emerged as a dedicated leader, committed to transforming systems that once impacted her life. In January 2023, Autumn was published as a contributor in Polaris’ groundbreaking national survivor study, In Harm's Way: How Systems Fail Survivors. She holds certification from the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) and facilitates WVARR's Peer Recovery Coach Academy.
Autumn’s influence extends beyond her professional roles. She played a key part in Pollen8 Inc.'s development, supporting its growth and now serving as Secretary on their Board of Directors. Additionally, she is an active member of the WV Human Trafficking Task Force and previously served on the steering committee for the Hope In Action Alliance. She also stepped in as the Interim Director for WV Families. Her passion for recovery, justice, and community shines through in all she does, as she continues to give back the hope and support she once received. Above all her titles and accomplishments, Autumn holds her role as Mom to her beloved daughter and fur babies, Nova and Sir Thomas, closest to her heart. Her passion for recovery, justice, and community shines through in all she does, as she continues to give back the hope and support she once received.
Kayt Gagneaux, M. Ed
Resiliency Essentials Program Director at Makin' It Happen
Kayt promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention education throughout the Greater Manchester Region and beyond. Holding a Master of Education from the University of New Hampshire, Kayt has a robust background in education, having served as a teacher and behavior consultant. She has experience in residential treatment for youth, where she developed and implemented mental health curricula and crisis management interventions. Kayt specializes in creating individualized curricula and presentations focused on mental well-being for organizations and individuals alike. As a certified instructor in multiple programs, including Mental Health First Aid, the Mandt System, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), she is dedicated to equipping individuals and communities with essential tools for resilience and support.
Janelle Havens, MS
Recovery Ready Communities Director at Makin' It Happen
Janelle's focus is on providing the Greater Manchester Region with the tools needed to engage, empower, and educate individuals on the different pathways and manifestations of recovery. She leads the coordination, facilitation, and continued development of the Greater Manchester Region Community of Care Collaborative (CoCC), and leads the 2025 Anti-Stigma Initiative for the City of Manchester. She is a certified instructor for a variety of curricula, including Responding to Addiction, enCompass, Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR), and The Mandt System training, among others.
Janelle earned her Masters in Science of Criminology & Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice from Merrimack College. Prior to her role at Makin’ It Happen, Janelle was a former advocate for domestic and sexual violence survivors, focusing on cases where there was co-occurrence between domestic violence and child abuse/neglect as reported through NH DCYF. She has been trained extensively in trauma-informed crisis response techniques throughout her career.
Stacey Levin
Director of Recovery Housing & Community Outreach at RICARES
Stacey Levin is the Director of Recovery Housing and Community Outreach at RICARES. As a passionate recovery advocate with over a decade of experience in recovery housing and harm reduction, Stacey is committed to reducing fatal overdoses by equipping people to recognize and respond effectively to an overdose. As a person in long-term recovery, Stacey brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work where she remains committed to increasing access to safe, affordable recovery housing for all. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and excellence. When not advocating for recovery resources, Stacey can be found baking, longboarding, tending to her backyard chickens, or spending time with her cat, Chicken Nugget Matzo Ball.
Ashley Kitchell
Executive Director at Liberty House
Ashley Kitchell is a seasoned nonprofit leader and advocate with a deep-rooted commitment to addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable populations, particularly veterans. A Manchester native, Kitchell currently serves as the Executive Director of Liberty House in Manchester, New Hampshire. In this role, she leads the organization’s mission to support homeless and at-risk veterans through transitional housing, recovery services, and community reintegration programs.
Kitchell holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from the University of New Hampshire and brings over a decade of experience in human services and nonprofit leadership. Prior to becoming Executive Director, she served as Liberty House’s Operations Manager, where she was instrumental in developing and managing a unique four-step transition program focused on recovery, wellness, employment, and independence. Her professional journey includes leadership roles at Veterans Inc. and Families in Transition, where she provided strength-based case management, housing advocacy, and life skills coaching to individuals experiencing homelessness.
As Executive Director, Kitchell is focused on innovation, compassion, and collaborative community engagement. Her efforts at Liberty House continue to build a strong foundation for veterans as they transition toward stability and independence, reinforcing the organization’s reputation as a trusted resource in New Hampshire.
Gabriella Straube
Associate Director at Hope on Haven Hill
Gabriella (Gabby) holds a bachelor’s in social work from the University of New Hampshire and a Master’s in Public Administration from Walden University. Gabby joined the HHH team in May 2019 after interning at a local homeless shelter. In the summer of 2021, she obtained her licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC). Gabby has worn many hats during her time at HHH. Today, she is the Associate Director, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of both Abi’s Place and Hope on Haven Hill.
Sponsors-Exhibitors
If you are interested in being a Sponsor/Exhibitor for the NE NARR conference, click here for more information.
Stay tuned as more sponsors are added - only a few spots left!
The New England NARR Conference
is also made possible by the generosity of:
Tyler Livermore
The New England NARR Affiliates
Connecticut:
The Connecticut Alliance of Recovery Residences' mission is to support CT recovery residences to practice the NARR national standards for recovery residences while improving the availability and quality of recovery housing options for persons seeking and sustaining long term recovery in CT.
Maine:
The Maine Association for Recovery Residences (MARR) is a nonprofit organization, an affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).
We manage the ethical and safety standards for recovery residences in the State of Maine and certify residences based on the standards established by NARR. We believe all people seeking recovery-based housing should have access to both a safe and accommodating residence where they can live a healthy and rewarding life. The primary mission of MARR is to promote the ethical and sustainable management of high-quality recovery residences throughout the State of Maine.
Massachusetts:
The Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH) was established in 2007 by eight sober homeowners and began managing voluntary statewide sober home certification in 2016. MASH’s goal is to help create and foster safe living environments for those with substance use disorders.
New Hampshire:
The New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences, NHCORR, was established in 2017 by a group of passionate recovery housing providers and recovery advocates to provide voluntary certification of recovery houses to the NARR Standard in New Hampshire, and is committed to building strong recovery communities, eliminating barriers to recovery-supportive housing, and promoting best practices through education and advocacy.
Rhode Island:
RICARES stands as the cornerstone of recovery residences, serving as the national affiliate dedicated to uplifting individuals on their journey to sobriety. With unwavering commitment, RICARES provides a vital network of support, guidance, and resources tailored to the unique needs of those navigating the path of recovery. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, RICARES fosters a culture of empowerment and resilience within the recovery community, ensuring that every individual has access to safe, supportive environments conducive to healing and growth. As the trusted national affiliate for recovery residences, RICARES champions the cause of recovery with compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication.
Vermont:
The Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences (VTARR) was established in 2019 and is dedicated to providing education, technical assistance, research, and advocacy in the field of recovery residences.