Meet Our Team

Lexie Wilkins is the Executive Director of Love and Respect. Lexie is a Black man who knows what it’s like to be that person seeking recovery from substance use disorder. He’s not shy about sharing his story of how he began using drugs at an early age while growing up in Paterson, NJ. Ongoing drug use and interaction with law enforcement led to incarceration. At some point during one of his prison sentences, Lexie had a paradigm shift and recognized that he could turn his life around—and now uses his own background and experiences to help others. He’s been in recovery for over seventeen years and has dedicated his professional life to improving the treatment and care provided to people with substance use disorder/and or mental health diagnoses. He was instrumental in developing the peer living room at a local organization in Asheville and helped turn that into a full-fledged Recovery Community Organization, now known as Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness. Lexie served as Director of Operations for Sunrise before leaving to pursue opportunities with Family Preservation Services, where he still currently works as the Qualified Mental Health Professional on the Community Support Team. He also worked for the Free Clinics as Lead Peer on the Post Overdose Response Team for Henderson County.

Lexie earned his BS in Sociology from Shaw University in 2013 and graduated Cum Laude. He’s also a qualified mental health professional with a community behavioral health provider, Certified NC Peer Support Specialist since 2009, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Intern who will be fully certified in January 2022, Certified Recovery Coach, Recovery Coach Trainer, WRAP facilitator, Certified Moral Recognition Therapist, Mental Health First Aid trainer, and a Community Health Worker. While those degrees and certifications are a source of pride and accomplishment, Lexie hasn’t forgotten where he came from or how to relate to people from all backgrounds and all walks of life. He treats people with empathy, compassion, and heart—thus the creation of his organization that names his motivating values, Love and Respect.

You can reach Lexie directly at lexie@lovenrespect.org

Justin struggles with writing biographies because he believes that his experience and credentialing may be viewed by some as something that separates him from the people he wants to support. He wants the perception of those he supports to be, “He is like me.” He strives to maintain an equal power level with every connection he makes. Justin currently works in partnership with the United Way of Rutherford County, and Blue Ridge Community Health as the Rutherford Mobile HRT team lead. He understands that some people feel more comfortable knowing a person’s experience before they initiate services and for that reason only, he wishes to disclose that he has been working in the recovery field for 6 years and personally has a decade of long-term, sustained health and wellness regarding illicit substance use. His field experience includes peer program creation, grant management, peer management and supervision, facilitating and creating 13 recovery oriented trainings for participants and community members alike, group facilitation in detention facilities and in drop-in centers, and speaking engagements on his personal recovery story and on differing aspects of peer support and the system gaps they fill. He sits on the board of the SPARC Foundation and has facilitated the Buncombe County Racial Equity and Inclusion committee. He has aided in the founding of Celebrate Recovery groups, the Felony Drug Diversion Program of Buncombe County, and has functioned as the peer technical advisor to all peer supports, peer-housed provider agencies, and new peer-run recovery community centers in Western North Carolina. He did this in his role as the State recognized Recovery Community Organization Peer TA Coordinator. He holds a bachelors and a masters degree, but he holds the mentality, “They are me, I am them.” in higher regard than those degrees.

You can reach Justin directly at justin@lovenrespect.org

Alivea’s struggles with substance misuse and mental health diagnoses began early, as they began using substances and attempted to end their life for the first time at the age of 12. They have struggled with their mental health diagnoses for as long as they can remember. She has experienced/lived in houselessness, jail and domestic abuse and during those times, she knew she would eventually get out and help others. Alivea recently hit a milestone of five years living a healthy lifestyle and prioritizing herself and their child. Her life turned around in 2019 and they have been living a stable, healthy and mindful life ever since. She has a desire to work with marginalized populations and ensure that individuals feel represented through her work. Alivea truly feels that she can relate and show tenderness to anyone they work with. Alivea has a heart to share their love, understanding, and knowledge with anyone who needs it.

You can reach Alivea directly at Alivea@lovenrespect.org

While he found professional success as a science teacher, Ron struggled for most of his life with anxiety, major depression, and ADHD. Growing up he tended to view his symptoms as personal shortcomings and sought to mask emotional pain with alcohol abuse.

A sudden health crisis in 2014 left him unable to tolerate the many prescription medications he was taking and the ensuing symptoms left him deeply suicidal and unable to work. He was eventually able to foster the self-awareness and willingness to evolve away from toxic patterns of thinking and behavior and to recognize and process painful emotions. He obtained his peer support certification in 2021 and has specialized in the practical use of mindfulness in dealing with grief, difficult emotions, and chronic pain. He finds the most satisfaction in life helping others, playing music, and hanging out with his basset hound Louie.

You can reach Ron directly at Ron@lovenrespect.org

Antonio's struggles with substances began at a young age which eventually led to lengthy prison terms. He has struggled for years being what everyone else thought he was and in him trying to live up to that, it caused him great pain and losses. Due to what he went through and lived,, he knew that if he could help someone not experience it, he would. He has lived experience in substance misuse, incarceration, grief of loved ones, and being unhoused. He has a passion and drive to love on people where they are at while showing them the path and resources which, if they want, could lead them to their goals and self fulfillment regardless of the path they choose. They matter and are loved.

You can reach Antonio directly @ intern@lovenrespect.org

Cassie has lived experience with substance misuse, domestic violence, and mental health. Having walked and continuing to walk her own path of healing, she understands firsthand the challenges and triumphs of the recovery journey. She champions the power of resilience and uses it to inspire and uplift others who may feel alone in their struggles. She is proud to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist. She knows that the journey to recovery is a lifelong one; filled with wins, losses, and everything in between. Passionate about advocacy and fostering a sense of belonging, she believes in the power of community and mutual support. Whether offering a warm smile, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand, she is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others every day. She is certified in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and her combination of lived experience and professional training helps to create meaningful change for individuals and the community as a whole.

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and pets, getting lost in a good book, experimenting in the kitchen, and exploring the outdoors. 

You can reach Cassie directly @ Cassie@lovenrespect.org

Elizabeth is a dog mom, an advocate and an individual in the LGBTQIA2s+ community. As a result of her active addiction, she has struggled with pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure and feels passionately about serving individuals who also struggle with chronic illness caused from their addictions. She found solace in her first year of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous and started to make connections within the recovery community. She has taken what she learned in the program and applies a lot of it to her daily life. Elizabeth is the adult child of an addict and was adopted at a young age, which contributed to her addiction and mental health struggles. Through many trials and tribulations, Elizabeth beat the odds and is now working in the MH/SUD field to give back to the community. Elizabeth is excited to be the representation for BIPOC and LGBTQIA2+ individuals that she wished for during active addiction. She is very passionate about serving the unhoused community and those who are re-entering from incarceration. Elizabeth meets people where they are and is always willing to listen to someone. She is very excited to be working for Love and Respect, and to have the opportunity to give back to the community. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her dog Meeko, being outside, and listening to music. 

You can reach Cassie directly @ Cassie@lovenrespect.org