Sharon Schlerf (Newcomb) - Director & Peer Workforce Trainer
Sharon has been active since 1985 in community development, emergency response, and achieving her M.A. in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) in 2002, after serving on President George Bush’s Citizens Response Team during 9/11 in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, PA.
Eight months before 9/11, her own experience of being struck by a car during a storm emergency response caused severe injury and permanent physical disabilities along with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) first-hand. As so, she became a ‘Peer’ with a comprehensive knowledge of both personal and clinical approaches of care. Sharon is the daughter of U.S. Army Lt Colonel Robert Lyons, retired 3-war veteran (World War I, Korea, Vietnam), and died in 2010. He is honored in a small Maryland Veteran Cemetery. Sharon also has two veteran brothers (Vietnam), a son (U.S. Air Force OIF, OIEF), two nephews active-duty (Navy/Army OIF/OEF), and a grandson active-duty (Army OEF).
Serving veterans since 1993 as the architect for ‘Replicare’ a homeless Comprehensive-of Care (CoC) for HUD and Mayor Kurt Schmoke’s Office of Homeless Services. She provided a program to implement funding for the Maryland Center for Veteran Education & Training (1994), a best-practices practice delivery system recognized nationwide. She widely known as a Chaplain, US DHHS SAMHSA Faith-Based & Community Organizations (FCBO) adjunct faculty and technical assistance for them nationwide, from 2012-2015. Her program development and education text for holistic health for insight into the body, mind, spirit nationwide, as a Guest Speaker and Consultant on Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), and Reveille; One More Day Suicide Prevention & Crisis Prevention for our Service Members, Veterans & their Families.
Michael Newcomb - US Army Veteran, Veteran-Certified Support Specialist RETIRED - VOLUNTEER VFW
Michael ‘Mike’ Newcomb, US Army Veteran, one of Virginia’s pioneers advocating for ‘Peer to Peer’ mental health professional recognition, evidence-based best practices and credentialing (2006). A Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) and Peer Bridger in the civilian community until 2012, as a military member with his own ‘body, mind, spirit’ wounds recognized the serious lack of military holistic health support services.
He became the first Peer Specialist hired by US Department of Veterans Affairs for Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, VA, in June 2013. Mike introduced US DHHS SAMHSA Action Planning for Prevention & Recovery (APPR) program for both in-patient and out-patient veteran care until June 2018.
SInce 2018, Mike has been active in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) program development, Advisor Council Member for Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Office of Recovery Services (and CPRS Trainer), and Virginia Department of Veterans Services Advisory Council.
ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL ONLY
Mary Ann - Virginia Values Veterans Liaison
My name is Mary Ann Littell and I moved from Ohio to Virginia in 2020 to be near my son, his wife and my toddler grand-daughter. Moving into my new home and meeting neighbors, my husband found out about Beacon Institute. The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive as well as fun and is open to anyone! It’s a comfortable ‘clubhouse’ environment, where we share the journey of body, soul, and spirit holistic wellness together, “Peer to Peer”. Intrigued by the workforce program here, I attended and completed two levels of the US DHHHS SAMSHA Courage to Change (Your LIfe) Wellness & Resiliency Peer Coach Certified Facilitator.
My position as the Virginia Values Veterans Liaison, is the connection between all corporations, agencies,& organizations who have been through a State of Virginia review and approved. 'V3' members, contact me for access to our Peer Workforce Training, Contracts for Services, HIRE VETS Peer Navigators, employment placements and your EAP/EBP programs support.
Dawn - Peer Navigator Project Manager Reveille
Larry Freeman US Air Force Veteran - Peer Navigator
Dawn - Peer Navigator Project Manager Reveille
My name is Dawn Gressard (previously Waible). I was an elementary school teacher in Williamsburg, James City County public schools for six years and three years at the Kensington School in childhood development. While I really enjoyed teaching, however, I was a Veteran spouse and understand a lot about the need for support services for them. So, I have also been trained for Veteran Advocacy by National Veterans Legal Services as well as employment with the Virginia Department of Veteran Services as an Accredited Veteran Service Representative. I have also been provided with the Courage to Change (Your Thinking) Peer Workforce Training, and have my Peer Navigator Certification. My purpose and passion lead me to join Beacon Institute to be their project managerfor our new Reveille; One More Day (Suicide Prevention & Crisis Intervention) Peer Workforce Training and preventing Service Members, Veterans, & Families, Law Enforcement and First Responders Suicide.
Dave - Peer Coach & V3 Event Coordinator
Larry Freeman US Air Force Veteran - Peer Navigator
Dawn - Peer Navigator Project Manager Reveille
My name is David Littell. I have recently moved to Williamsburg from Ohio. I am married and have one son and a granddaughter named Emily who is 2 years old. I discovered the Beacon Institute: Veteran Pathways Home when I attended a music jam that is held there the last Friday of every month. I was told that they needed some volunteers so started sorting through documents and organizing some files. and then advanced with the Courage to Change (Your Life) Wellness & Resiliency Peer Workforce Training certification as a Peer Coach (Civilian).
I assist with all of the Virginia Values Veterans Career, Job Fair, and HIRE VETS events.
Larry Freeman US Air Force Veteran - Peer Navigator
Larry Freeman US Air Force Veteran - Peer Navigator
Larry Freeman US Air Force Veteran - Peer Navigator
Larry has also been a SMART Recovery Coach as well as achieving VA Peer Recovery Specialist training (PRS) pending final exam for his VA Certified Peer Recovery Specialist credential. Currently serving us with his US DHHS SAMHSA Courage to Change, Peer Support Services with us since last Spetember, both in-person and virtual. Skilled with and assisting us with Veteran Drug Court and Virginia Drug Court program provider.
We are currently have several other Peer CoacIndependent Contractors that we have trained and worked with since 2017, contact us for a referral to them to assist you.