Staff

​Eryca Kasse, LICSW
Founder & Executive Director
​
Eryca Kasse is a licensed independent clinical social worker  (LICSW) in Washington, DC with a background in co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She received her BSW from George Mason University in 1998 and worked post bachelors with youth in high-risk situations (runaway, homeless, LGBTQ & court involved).  She received her MSW from Howard University in 2010 where she completed field placements with women returning home from prison & jail and adults living with chronic mental health & substance use disorders experiencing homelessness. Her post-graduate work has focused on adults living with co-occurring mental health & substance use disorders at community mental health centers, substance use disorder treatment programs, hospitals and emergency rooms; providing diagnostic assessments, individual & group therapy and crisis intervention. In 2016 she founded her consulting practice CHOICES, providing clinical supervision and CEU trainings for providers and workshops for people in recovery, focused on trauma informed behavioral health care. In Fall 2021, CHOICES in Healing & Recovery was approved as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and has expanded services to provide trauma informed peer support groups & facilitator trainings. Eryca currently lives in NE, DC with her tortie cat, and enjoys drumming, swimming and spending time with family.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Wills, MPA
President

A Minnesota native and 20-plus-year DC-area resident, Mark Wills has worked in various roles (specifically communications and public policy) for various nonprofit organizations, including professional societies and trade associations, as well as in positions in which he consulted for nonprofits. He has also served as an independent writing consultant and editorial supervisor for a tech startup. - Mark has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and a master's in public administration (with a concentration in nonprofit management) from the University of the District of Columbia. During the course of study earning the latter (focused on competencies in communication, cultural diversity, governance, advocacy, ethics, program development, and volunteer/HR management), he also earned the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential. - In long-term recovery since 2008, Mark lives in Silver Spring, MD, with his wife, Rachel, a licensed professional counselor, and their four-legged family: Elliott, a beagle-dachshund mix; and Larry Katz, a domestic shorthair cat. In his free time, he enjoys watching (and bemoaning the plight of) the Washington Capitals, nature walks, photography, and pro wrestling nostalgia podcasts.

Michelle Hurrell, BA, CPRS
Secretary

Michelle Hurrell, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, has a background in teaching (BA in English Education) and training (former group facilitator at PRS, Inc and W.R.A.P. facilitator). Michelle  is a management leader at Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia (RPSV), a peer run non-profit organization that hires those recovering from mental illness, substance use, food insecurity or homelessness to help those who are in various stages of recovery. RPSV runs four wellness centers that focus on providing emotional support groups, along with one center that provides participants access to laundry and showers. All the centers provide shelter during the day along with meals and snacks. RPSV also provides emotional support when the day centers close by offering Zoom "One on Ones " in the late afternoon and evening.  Michelle's blurb under her high school picture was, “My goal is to somehow make a difference.” She uses this as her motivation mantra personally, in employment and in her work as Secretary of the Board of CHOICES.

​Abdul Kargbo, LMSW, CAC II
​Treasurer

Abdul Kargbo is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) and certified addictions counselor (CAC II) with a profound commitment to public service. Extensive experience with marginalized communities including returning citizens, homeless populations, undocumented migrants, and persons diagnosed with mental illness, substance use disorders, and HIV. Expertise in inpatient and outpatient settings, behavioral health services, infectious disease case management, and vocational counseling. Outstanding technical skills with clinical workflow design, record management, database development and maintenance. Substantial experience training clinical and administrative staff. Abdul lives in South Carolina with his partner and enjoys doing crossword puzzles.

Volunteer STAFF 

​Cat Sargentich, Peer Facilitator

Nicki Bender, Peer Facilitator

​Deanna Clayton, Former Website Administrator