Our Team


Jordan Hussey Rice, CAC1
Executive Director
Email

Jordan Hussey is a person in long-term recovery and makes it her life’s mission to help others who are facing similar struggles. During her early recovery from Substance Use Disorder, she found many people didn’t talk about recovery, wellness or the resources that are available. Today, Jordan speaks about that struggle and uses her experience to advocate and empower others and to connect them with the resources they may need.

Before joining J’s Place, she worked with the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Peer Recovery Coach at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Prior to this, she was a Substance Abuse Tech at Twin Lakes Recovery Center.

She is  CAC1 Certified as a Peer Specialist in Addictive Diseases, Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist, in Medication Assisted Treatment and Trauma Informed Care as well as Whole Health Action Management.

 

ALESHA JORDAN, Recovery Coach
EMAIL

Alesha Jordan is a Certified Peer Specialist in Addictive Disease (CPS-AD) with five years of sustained recovery. She is a graduate of the Respect Institute and brings both professional training and lived experience to her work. Having overcome personal challenges, including a period of incarceration, Ms. Jordan is deeply committed to supporting individuals navigating recovery and reentry. She is passionate about helping others rebuild their lives and provides guidance, encouragement, and advocacy to those facing similar circumstances.
JESSICA PAYNE, Recovery Coach
EMAIL
Jessica Payne is a person in long-term recovery. She graduated Drug Court in 2021, a milestone that shaped her commitment to living a better life and helping others do the same.
She moved to Gainesville in 2012 and has proudly made it her home since then. Today, She is working to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Delivery & Administration with a concentration in Substance Addiction Studies.
She says, “As a Peer Recovery Coach at J’s Place, I am passionate about supporting others in recovery and giving back to a community I once drew so much from.”

KIRSTEN JONES, Recovery Coach
EMAIL

Kirsten Jones is passionate about helping others find hope, healing, and purpose through recovery. Drawing from her own journey of overcoming adversity, she understands the transformative power of faith, community, service, and connection. Her lived experience, combined with professional training, allows her to walk alongside individuals as they navigate their own paths toward healing and personal growth. Kirsten has served her community previously with Acceptance Recovery Center in Athens, Twin Lakes Recovery Center in Monroe, and the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network onsite at the Gainesville Day Reporting Center, supporting individuals impacted by substance use disorders, mental health challenges, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Her certifications and training include Certified Peer Specialist in Mental Health (CPS-MH), Certified Peer Specialist in Addictive Diseases (CPS-AD), Forensic Peer Mentor, with continuing education in WRAP, WHAM, Trauma-Informed Care, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Harm Reduction. Kirsten believes that service changes lives. Her mission is to offer hope, inspire growth, and remind others that recovery is possible and that a fulfilling life is within reach.

Meet our Board Members