ARA Family
"True ambition is not what we thought it was. True ambition is the profound desire to live usefully and walk humbly . . ."
- Bill W.
The ARA Board of Directors are a group of sober individuals who are all contributing members of their respective communities. They are elected annually by the Board.
The First Step Home is under the supervision of an Executive Director, Program Facilitator, and a Resident Manager who are responsible for admissions, purchasing, collections, maintenance and supervision of the Home staff.
Staff
Rosemary immigrated to the US from Ireland with her family after her father passed away. Introduced to ARA as a resident in 1998, Rosemary was offered the position of program facilitator a year later. While working at the house, Rosemary studied and earned multiple certifications in counseling individuals with substance use disorders and addiction. Two decades at ARA have convinced Rosemary that “ARA is like a home, not just a place to stay sober.” ARA residents, Rosemary says, “still find companionship, freedom, independence, laughter, and a sense of belonging all while learning to maintain sobriety through the Twelve Steps.”
Board of Directors
Sober since 2001, Thomas is a general contractor and family man. He has been on the Board since 2010. Thomas started out first as an ARA resident, then became a board member, and later president. Currently serving as chair, Thomas lives with his wife, two children, and, two dogs. He is grateful to ARA for helping folks like him find their footing.
A member of the ARA Board since 2019, Nick is current board president. An ex-offender and father of three boys, Nick is an attorney and director of Prisoner Legal Services in San Francisco. Sober since 1987, Nick hopes to help ARA remain a place where those in recovery can safely rebuild their lives for many years to come.
Josh has been on the ARA board since 2019 and is the current board vice president. Josh officially lost the war on drugs (and whiskey) in 2002 and has miraculously gone on to be a father of three and co-founder of Bernal Cutlery. Josh recognizes the important role ARA has had in the San Francisco recovery community since 1955 and wishes to help keep ARA a step up for recovering people in San Francisco.
Kelley has been on the Board since 2016 and serves as our Recording Secretary. Sober since 2001, Kelley is married with three children and two small grandchildren. Her husband found sobriety through a sober living house and their combined experiences have helped them strengthen their sobriety while working on their marriage. Kelley points out that sober living houses are disappearing across San Francisco and it is important to keep ARA running to help alcoholics and addicts learn how to live sober.
Kelly is sober class of 2002 San Francisco and was fed pancakes in her first year of sobriety at the ARA weekend breakfast meeting. She’s been a Board member since 2019 and helped support the house through the pandemic. Kelly hopes to help ARA fundraise to update the house and support its staff in daily operations. Kelly is committed to continuing the tradition of passing on what was so freely given to her in the recovery community writ large in San Francisco.
As Vice President of Policy & Public Affairs, Gary oversees government and external affairs, press and media relations, and advocacy efforts on behalf of HealthRIGHT 360, its workers, and clients. Gary experienced homelessness as a young adult, having lived on the streets of San Francisco throughout his twenties with substance use disorder. Since getting sober and back on his feet over a decade ago, Gary has been heavily involved in advocating for policies and spearheading public health responses that directly relate to people experiencing homelessness, people in recovery from substance use disorder, people involved in the criminal justice system, and other life-saving approaches for people who use drugs.
Janel Mitchel -Member at Large
Janel joined the ARA Board to support gala fundraising and marketing efforts, bringing a wealth of experience in nonprofit fundraising marketing initiatives, and creative communications, A tech-savvy graphic designer, she specializes in UX design, social media management, and creating powerful marketing materials that elevate events and inspire community engagement.
A passionate advocate for social justice, Janel is deeply committed to addressing racial inequality, preventing child abuse, and supporting marginalized communities. After losing her father to violence in Vallejo and being raised in Sonoma, she witnessed the effects of systemic inequity firsthand. Her work is driven by a steadfast dedication to strengthening families and empowering our youth
LIZ SCHEIDL Co-Treasurer
A business owner, realtor, working artist, and mother, Liz is grateful for ARA’s historic service to San Francisco’s abstinence-based recovery community.
Liz believes that every addicted person has the potential to recover their true self and live a happy productive life free from drugs and alcohol. The ARA house has been foundational to her own clean and sober life, which began in 1997. She is honored to work with the board to keep this important institution going for generations to come.