FOUNDER, Finance Committee member, Chair, and CEO

With a life time of experience with mental health crisis, poverty, adiiction, and various other traumas, I turned my life around on 2/12/15 when I finally found recovery. Today I have more trust within my community than any ex-criminal ever might imagine. I currently am a third year honors student at Shawnee Community College in Ullin Illinois. I am a student worker in our schools food pantry. Today, I am Illinois regional president of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Now I am an active member of My children's middle school PTO. I also serve at Vienna grade school as a parent mentor working for Partnership for Resilience In December of 2022 I attained my Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification In 2024 I received my Computer Prep Certification along With an APSS (Adult Peer Support Specialist Kentucky) certification. In the 2024-2025 school year I received a total of three awards for leadership along with my first Associate’s Degree in general studies. It is our family's personal mission to see more people struggle less and succeed more.

CO-CHAIR

Ty Bechel brings over a decade of nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and recovery advocacy to his role as a dedicated board member. As the founder of multiple nonprofit organizations and the owner of Bechel & Associates Nonprofit Consulting, Coaching, and Training, Ty has helped launch, grow, and sustain community-focused initiatives across Illinois and beyond.

With a Master's in Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor's in Communication, Ty has worked at the intersection of strategic planning, board development, fundraising, program design, and organizational leadership. He previously served as Executive Director of Amare, a recovery community organization he founded, and has supported dozens of grassroots organizations in establishing governance structures, securing funding, and expanding services.

Ty is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, an educator, and a passionate public speaker with a heart for recovery, nonprofits, and creating inclusive systems of care. His consulting work spans executive coaching, recovery program development, and IT strategy for small to medium-sized nonprofits and businesses.

A proud husband and father of seven, Ty is deeply committed to building stronger communities through collaboration, transparency, and empowerment. His lived experience and professional expertise make him a trusted voice in recovery-focused leadership and nonprofit governance.

Ty is honored to serve on the board and contribute to the mission of The House of Care, ensuring its values and services continue to create lasting impact.

As a person who was the child of an alcoholic abuser Jerry knows all too well the struggles of addiction domestic violence and poverty. As a father of two who have both struggled with addiction and mental health crisis, Jerry has lived the horror of how these struggles affect those around us. As a federal employee and a 27 year experienced manufacturing worker< Jerry has managed to rise from poverty and now wants to give back to the commun ities which have supported his oldest son and his family in their success.

Finance Committee member

Growing up in a home filled with drug use , alcohol abuse, and physical violence, was such a rough start for Alecia that she ran away at 15 years old only to find herself pregnant and trapped in an equally abusive relationship. Shortly after escaping that madness in 2016, Alecia met our founder Mike Deno and together they set off on a path of healing and serving others. Today she is a third year honors student at Shawnee community College, where she has made both the President’s list and Vice President’s list both multiple times and been acknowledged for her leadership skills. She serves her community through her employment in the assisted living field, as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Alecia hopes that her personal experience with domestic violence, poverty, and addiction will enable her to better help others.

Finance Committee member, Secretary, Certified food server