RICARES Staff
Melissa Bernier
Introducing Melissa (she/her), a compassionate Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional with an Associate’s Degree in Human Services. Melissa is thrilled to join RICARES and looks forward to continuing her journey of growth and learning within such an amazing organization. Grateful for her own recovery experience and the positive impact it has had on her life, Melissa is eager to contribute her skills and passion to support individuals on their recovery journeys at RICARES. Outside of work, Melissa finds joy in spending quality time with her family, friends, and beloved dog Bentley, cherishing each moment of connection and happiness.
Melissa’s commitment to supporting others on their recovery paths is rooted in her deep appreciation for the positive changes it has brought to her life. She is driven by a desire to pay forward the support and guidance she has received, empowering individuals to embark on their own journeys of growth and recovery.
Angelina Edwards
Recovery Coach/Peer Support Specialist
Angelina (she/her) joined RICARES in July 2024 as a Recovery Coach. Angelina is a person in long term recovery, for over 8 years, and has worked in the recovery field for 5 years.
“I truly love working at RICAREs with other people in recovery because I get the joy of being exactly who I am everyday while helping others find their way to recovery/sustain recovery. My story consists of nearly ten years of active opiate addiction. My substance misuse led me to many dark days. I was previously unhoused and living on the streets in downtown Boston, my long stretch of substance misuse ended when I was eventually arrested in 2015 and incarcerated until 2017. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, I was able to find recovery and start my healing journey while incarcerated. My recovery has granted me the ability to be present, accountable and above all else, love myself. I found that there are many pathways to recovery and each person’s recovery journey will differ, recovery is not “one size fits all”. I am also very passionate about parenting in recovery.”
Outside of work, Angelina is the mother of two amazing boys, and enjoys spending time with her family, going fishing, reiki and all things energy, nature, basketball and baseball. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, 4 cats, and bearded dragon (her “mini zoo”), who are all major parts of her life and her recovery.
Amy Hussein Vieira
Administrative Assistant
Amy has been working in the behavioral health and addiction field since 2013. She has worked with many hospitals and most recently the BHLINK. Amy works her magic in the background supporting her team, so that they are freed up to help members of the community. She is a mom of 2 teenage athletes, and loves karaoke and hosting friends.
Stacey Levin
Director of Recovery Housing
Stacey (she/her) has worked in the community outreach and recovery housing space since 2012. Stacey came to Rhode Island on a work assignment in 2020 from Southern California and immediately knew she was going to relocate. As a person in long term recovery from SUD, Stacey is excited to join RICARES, to use her knowledge to increase access to recovery housing through education and propagation. In her down time, Stacey is a backyard chicken farmer, avid baker, adoring aunt to four nephews and one niece and cat mom to Chicken Nugget Matzo Ball.
Shawn Pitts
Recovery Coach/Peer Support Specialist
Shawn (he/him) is a United States Marine Corp Infantry War Veteran, and served in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005/2006. Shawn has been in recovery for co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders since August 13th 2019. Shawn has been working in the recovery and community field in various capacities since January 2023 in various capacities to include but not limited to Residential Assistant at Men’s Recovery House, Community Outreach Efforts at a non-profit organization distributing harm reduction, and assisting clients with basic needs as well as educating the community about the benefits of Naloxone. Shawn is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified Community Health Worker, Circle of Parents Facilitator, and Nurturing Fatherhood Facilitator. Shawn enjoys spending time with family and loved ones, a diverse range of music, listening to Philosophy podcasts, traveling, weight lifting, and meditation. Shawn has been a Recovery Coach at RICARES since August 2024.
Arame Sembene
Communications Coordinator
Arame (she/her) started her tenure at RICARES in 2017 as a high school intern seeking to study psychology and explore the field of recovery. She attended The MET High school at the time, which was a career-oriented high school that encouraged its students to develop their passion through real-world experience while doing internships. Arame has learned a lot about the addiction recovery field, from matters of recovery advocacy and de-stigmatization, to legislation focused on prevention. Arame continues to be a key contributor to our team as she pursues her Psychology degree at Rhode Island College.
Sandy Valentine
Executive Director
