Twin Cities Recovery Project

LaTricia Tate received her A.S. Degree in Human Services at MCTC in 2002, her B.A. in Human Services 2024 and is currently working on her M.B.A degree. She has worked in the Human Services field for over 20 years. She helped co-found the Twin Cities Recovery Project, Inc. (TCRP) alongside the late Marc L. Johnigan. She was employed with Project for Pride and Living (PPL) a non-profit organization in Supportive Housing, servicing formerly homeless families with disabilities for a little over 10 years.

LaTricia is also the former co-chair of the Franklin Avenue Safety Team, a committee member of PPL’s DEI Committee (Diversity Equity & Inclusion), and founder and leader of PPL’s Rebuilding Our Community Piece by Peace Initiative in 2016. Also a current board member for 1st Step Housing Consulting, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioids, Substance Use, and Addiction, member of the DHS/RCO Policy Group, a MARCO Board Member, and also sits on the National DLH Deflection Data Center of Excellence Advisory Board.

She has a strong passion for supporting those who are struggling with Mental Illness and Addiction. Her mission is to change one life at a time by providing the necessary tools that will allow individuals to dream big and achieve their goals.

“Fighting the Disease of Addiction isn't work or just a job-it's my calling. My passion for supporting those suffering from addiction burns in my veins, and I will stop at nothing to save a life. I am driven by love, commitment, and the unwavering belief that every individual deserves a second chance at a healthier, happier future .” − LaTricia Tate

Anthony has been a part of the team at TCRP since October of 2020. As a part of the Crisis Counseling Program, or CP, Anthony works as part of team doing outreach at different sites around the metro. This outreach is part of an initiative put together by FEMA and SAMSA to recognize COVID-19 as a natural disaster, and to provide relief to people in need who have been effected due to economic or lifestyle barriers that have been effecting the community. During outreach, the CP team helps people through a multitude of common issues such as helping families get accustomed to distance-learning and homework help, helping families get assistance with rent and utilities, and give out resources on employment, government assistance, and tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Damone was born and raised in Minnesota. Damone is a proud father and a person for change. Damone is proud to have over 14 years clean from drugs and alcohol. He is dedicated to helping others and sharing his Experience, Strength and Hope that there is a better way to live.

“I have been working in the community for the past 20 years helping individuals to strive to be better. I always put God first and as a believer I have been able to live my life without drugs. Helping others is my calling!!!!” - Damone

Yonova Eason is a dedicated professional in long-term recovery with decades of lived experience that inform her compassionate and authentic approach to healing. Born and raised in Chicago, Yonova grew up in a family impacted by addiction. After moving to Minnesota in 1989, she continued to face her own struggles before finding a path to recovery that transformed her life.

Today, Yonova uses her story and expertise to empower others. She provides peer recovery services, supervises program sites, and supports individuals navigating grief and trauma. Her work is grounded in empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping people reclaim their lives.

With a strong belief in the power of community, connection, and healing, Yonova brings both professional skill and lived experience to every person and program she serves.

Dr. Johnson is the President/CEO of Detroit Recovery Project, Inc. where he  has worked in the Substance Use Disorder field for over 31 years. He has worked on local, national, and international initiatives aiming to empower individuals that suffer from Substance Use Disorder. Dr. Johnson was a part of the five year contract  (PePFAR funding) during the President Bush tenure to work in the country of Tanzania working in Dar Es Salaam, Pemba, and Zanzibar, in addition to working with the neighboring country of Kenya. He was also appointed under US President Barack Obama Secretary of Health & Human Services to serve as an Advisory Board member to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in addition to receiving  a Champion of Change award from President Barack Obama.  DRP is also CARF Accredited and has received numerous awards from  the local, state, county, and federal governments for outstanding work of helping individuals sustain long term recovery and becoming productive members of society.

Christopher is a person in long term recovery, who has battled with addiction and incarceration for over twenty years. Tired of the life he was living previously, Christopher wanted more, and realized he needed a change. He decided to move to Minnesota, away from his birth place of Springfield, Ohio. He wanted to start a new chapter in his life.

After moving here he got himself into a faith based treatment program called Metro Hope where he stayed for 9 months and successfully completed the program. While in treatment, Christopher attended a job training program called Twin Cities Rise! Where he got an internship job with Twin Cities Recovery Project. He was able to attend the CPRS training that was offered by TCRP. This allowed him to take and pass the state certification test to become a state certified Recovery Coach. Christopher works at the South Minneapolis office, where he helps individuals in working their recovery.

Daniel is a person in long term recovery. He is truly feeling happy and free. Over the last two years he has gained a life he never had before. He completed treatment at Restoration Counseling and Community Services, Soon after completing the CPRS training through TCRP. After getting certified he went on to take a career development training course through Twin Cities Rise and through them started an internship with Twin Cities Recovery Project. Because of his hard work and dedication Daniel is now a full time employee and a valued member of the TCRP team

“ TCRP is my family. I love my job. Helping individuals help themselves on their recovery journey gives me purpose.” – Daniel

Sarah joined the TCRP team in January 2021, she is an ally to those in all stages of their journey in recovery. She manages our social media accounts, updates our website, designs marketing material, and brainstorms new marketing ideas.

She is the owner of Mulford Designs which she helps other small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits achieve their goals through marketing and design.

During her free time she enjoys spending time with her wife, Jess, and their 2 cats. She enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, reading, & being an advocate for public land issues. She encourages people to trust their journey and the timing, things happen for a reason in life.

CJ is a person in long term recovery of 27 years, and what that means to her is, receiving her A.S in Chemical Dependency at Minnesota Community Technical College and her B.S. in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. She’s been retired for 11 years from working in the chemical dependency field and during the 11 years, she’s volunteered for several community Non-profit organizations, advocating for All persons of Our communities dealing with mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. She is also on the board of directors of AEON, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing in several counties of Minnesota.

“I am very excited to be a part of Twin Cities Recovery Project. It takes all of us to do our part in the community. At Twin Cities Recovery Project I know I’m making a difference”

Greg Lowe brings deep lived experience, compassion, and community commitment to his role at Twin Cities Recovery Project. After nearly three decades in active addiction—years that led to incarceration, homelessness, and repeated personal rock bottoms—Greg found a path to recovery by surrounding himself with people who understood his journey. As a peer and volunteer at Twin Cities Recovery Project, he discovered support, connection, and the sense of purpose he had long been searching for.

Through perseverance and community, Greg rebuilt his life. Today, he is a dedicated single father of three, an active leader in the recovery community, and a professional committed to helping others find hope and healing. Alongside his work at TCRP, Greg is known for his energy and presence as a PA announcer for combat sports events on weekends. He enjoys fishing, spending time with his kids, and embracing the fulfilling life that recovery has made possible.

Banks started his law enforcement career in Robbins, Illinois as Police Explorer and then Explorer Post Commander. After joining the United States Marine Reserves, he returned home to started as a Police Dispatcher and become a part-time Police Officer. He then served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and graduated from Central Lakes College with a degree in Criminal Justice.

In 2005, Joseph began working for the Lower Sioux Police Department and accepted a position as Chief of Police with the Upper Sioux Police Department. He then served as the Chief of Police for Morton, Minnesota. He then returned to the Lower Sioux Police Department as the Chief Investigator and the acting Chief of Police.

I have worked in the field of communications since 1972. My experience in communications has led me to produce communications projects for both, for profit and non-profit organizations for over 40 years, first in New York and in the past 24 years, Minnesota. Included in my experience is my work in the field of substance use disorder and anger management. In 1997, I worked for African American Family Services (AAFS). During my tenure with AAFS, me and Hafeez Muhammad co-wrote the Male Oppression and Violence Elimination program (M.O.V.E) for AAFS. This program was designed to provide services for perpetrators of domestic violence. I then supervised this program for 4 years. I have continued to work as a producer in both the marketing and communications field and the anti-violence and substance use disorder field as a consultant. Since 1999, I provided advertising, marketing, promotion, production and consulting services to many nonprofit, community and health service organizations for AAFS, Starpointe Media Inc. and for other organizations. In late 2001 I founded StarPointe Media, Inc. I have continued to produce Public Service Announcement content for radio, television and print as an independent contractor, as well as establishing and servicing contracts with program providers in the fields of anger management and substance use disorder.

Julie was invited to join the Board of Twin Cities Recovery Social Club by Marc Johnigan and LaTricia Tate when the dream was beginning to take shape (2018).  It has been an honor to watch the vision grow into Twin Cities Recovery Project and to witness the heart of Marc Johnigan live on through the faith and resilience of so many.

Julie has held supervisory and management positions at key Twin Cities Nonprofits (Project for Pride in Living, Wilder Foundation, Lutheran Social Service). She is known for program development, innovation, collaboration, and responsive training.  Julie serves as the Board Secretary and is active in planning the Living the Dream Gala.  Julie is passionate about TCRP as a truly grassroots organization.

Dora Dantzler-Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition (CRCC), the 1st Recovery Community Organization in the state of Illinois, and a person in long-term recovery (37 years). Dora is a member of the 1st ROSC Committee in the State of Illinois and has served on various boards throughout her career. Dora is State Certified as CADC/GCE, CPRS, DUI via ICB. National Certified as NCRS via NAADAC. Recovery Coach Trainer via CCAR.

Dora’s work includes 11 years of experience setting up and managing residential extended care facilities and recovery homes in the public and private sectors. 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field and is a recovery coach and advocate in the State of Illinois. Currently, Dora is the Executive Director for The Path Recovery Living for Women. Her advocacy for Recovery Residences led her to being the Past Board President and Current Board Member of the Illinois Association of Extended Care, the Illinois Affiliate of the National Association of Recovery Residence.

Dora is very active is supporting organizations to drive impact and advocacy by participating as: Advisory Board Member to Greater Lakes Addiction Transfer Technology, Founding Board Member of the Center for African American Development Founding, Member of Black Faces and Black Voices, Board Member of the Twin Cities Recovery Project, Past Board President and Current Board Member of the Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization, Board Member of Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery, Past Board Member of C.L.I.C.K and Member of the National Peer Recovery Alliance.

Dora’s has worked at major treatment centers, clinics and community organizations throughout her career in various programs and services: Re-Entry, Recovery Home, MAR Services, Behavioral Health, SUD Treatment, Recovery Support Services, and worked with Women & Women w/Children at The Women’s Treatment Center as a Director of Programs for Housing, Treatment and MAR Services.

Dora has received awards for her work in the recovery field: 2015 Recovery Service Award Winner, Chicago Department of Public Health and 2023 Hall of Fame Award Winner, The Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery. Dora’s commitment to advocacy and driving transformation has led to her being asked to be a guest lecturer, panelist and speaker at various universities, conferences, and podcasts nationwide.

I've been in recovery for 12 years. I am currently in a program to receive my bachelors degree as an LADC. I am a DJ in my spare time and I love being active in the recovery community.

Dr. Jonathan Lofgren is a native Minnesotan, lives a life of long-term recovery (est. Labor Day, 1987). Jonathan holds a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in Training & Performance Improvement from Capella University and a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling Psychology from Springfield College. Jonathan is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Co-occurring Disorders Professional Diplomat.

Dr. Lofgren has 35 years of behavioral-health clinical, leadership, development, education, training, and advocacy experience in local, national, and international settings. Currently Jonathan is a fulltime faculty member at Minneapolis College. Aside from teaching, Lofgren serves on the boards of TCRP, CAARD, and ARHE

In February 2023, Lofgren received the prestigious Museum of African American Addiction, Treatment and Recovery’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and in September 2022 received the ‘Sons of Branford’ Educator of The Year Award: awards for commitment to teaching/training/practice/advocacy in SUD Professions, and building treatment and recovery efforts in the African American Community across the United States.

Dr. Lofgren is a member of the following organizations: • The Center for African American Recovery Development (Board Member) • The Minnesota Association of Resources and Recovery for Chemical Health (Past President) • Association of Recovery in Higher Education (Board Member) • Twin City Recovery Project (Board Member) • International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers • Minnesota Association of Black Psychologists • NAACP Minneapolis Chapter