This month, PAARI Executive Board Member Steve Jesi awarded seven individuals the Stephenie Jesi Scholarship for Individuals in Long-Term Recovery. These scholarships are given in loving memory of Steve’s daughter, Stephenie Jesi, who tragically passed away in 2015 after a long and courageous battle with substance use disorder.
Stephenie was a participant in the Gloucester Angel Program, a PAARI initiative, and was deeply passionate about helping others facing the same barriers she encountered in her recovery journey. In honor of her selfless nature and giving spirit, her family keeps her legacy alive by supporting others in their path to recovery.
Each year, Stephenie’s family helps the PAARI board and staff select individuals who have been in long-term recovery (three or more years) to receive a $1,000 scholarship. The funds can be used to remove common barriers to recovery, including education, housing, transportation, childcare, or debt relief.
Meet the 2024 Scholarship Recipients
Angeline Anselme: Angeline is a Certified Traditional Healthcare Worker and Peer Support Specialist in Adult Mental Health, certified by the Oregon Health Authority. She has been sober since 1988 and is a member of PAARI’s Lived Experience Council. Angeline is currently developing a Community Outreach program that promotes the 988 Lifeline through various art forms, aiming to educate and support individuals in crisis.
Cameron Breen: In long-term recovery, Cameron has dedicated himself to helping others overcome similar struggles. He has been actively involved in building the Waterbury Public Health/Police Department’s overdose response team and coordinating harm reduction services for the first Connecticut Statewide Pilot of overdose response with Community & Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery. Cameron has also spearheaded community initiatives such as PAARI’s Lived Experience Council, which he chairs on a monthly basis.
In the words of his nominator, “The care and compassion Cameron displays daily for our most vulnerable citizens is truly inspiring. I am a better law enforcement officer, father, husband, and human being for having had the pleasure of working side by side with Cameron while he was part of the Overdose Response Team.”
Hanna Kazempour: Hanna, in recovery since March 4, 2020, recently graduated as a social worker and works at a nonprofit providing substance use education to Minnesota schools. She is passionate about using her personal experience to empower young people, combat stigma, and advocate for better support systems.
In her own words, “I believe that recovery looks different to each individual. Recovery is something that can be attainable to all if as a society we can work together collectively to counteract stigma, discrimination, and barriers that individuals with SUDs face.“
Jesse Kaplan: Jesse, now six years sober, was previously incarcerated but transformed his life through the Prison Fellowship Academy program. Now, he works full-time at a nonprofit treatment center and goes above and beyond to help individuals in crisis, often responding to emergency calls and visiting jails to share his testimony and offer support. He has 2 daughters, 1 stepdaughter and is his brother’s keeper.
In the words of his nominator, “Jesse was one of those people that we thought could never change. Well, much to our surprise, that wasn’t the case. He became sober in prison the last time around and has a total of 6 years sober and 4 years out of prison now. He is very active in helping others reach their goals and to find freedom.”
Madeline Miller: Madeline “Maddie” is a Peer Recovery Specialist at a youth-serving agency providing peer services to individuals 25 and under, the majority of whom have intersecting marginalized identities and are historically underserved. Maddie is a single mom to a little boy and a woman in long-term recovery.
In the words of her nominator, “Maddie is unapologetic about her past and fierce in her advocacy. She is a formidable woman who has dedicated her life to helping folks like her get into recovery. Once she meets someone, she will stop at nothing to help them achieve their goals.”
Elizabeth Perry: Elizabeth has been in recovery for 10 years and serves as the Community Programs Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator at the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group. She also co-facilitates SMART Recovery meetings for adults and teens, offering guidance and support.
In the words of her nominator, “Liz is a remarkable example of resilience. She is always willing to help others struggling to make ends meet and continues to be a pillar in the recovery community.”
Ashleigh Thompson Cline: Ashleigh, from Little Mountain, South Carolina, has been a Certified Peer Support Specialist at Westview Behavioral Health for five years. After battling addiction for 12 years, she is now celebrating six years of sobriety. She returned to college in 2023 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduated in December.
In her own words, “My journey embodies resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact in addiction recovery. This scholarship will allow me to continue my work and support those in need.”
