My name is Kaitlyn Rose. I am an EAP Counselor at Center for Family Life and Recovery. I started at CFLR as an MSW intern in 2019. I was grateful to become a part of the wonderful CFLR team following the completion of my Master’s in Social Work in 2020 from Keuka College. Prior to working in the counseling field, I worked in the Human Service field for over five years as a Care Manager working in the local community with individuals with severe Mental Health and Medical conditions. CFLR has helped me not only achieve my Master’s in Social Work but pursue my career dreams of assisting others within my community through counseling services. When I am not working, I am enjoying outdoor activities with my new fiancé! I also stay busy as a dog mom to two pit bulls as well as preparing for the arrival of my first child in December!
Crystal Faria joined the CFLR family in 2019 in the EAP department. She is the EAP coordinator for the Utica office. She has worked in the non-profit sector off and on for most of her career. Working for and within the community is very important to her. One of the things which drew her to working at CFLR is the agencies values of compassion, respect, learning and fun (at CFLR Crystal is known for her positive attitude, creativity and her vast array of obscure trivia so the fun part was significant). She appreciates CFLR’s the supportive atmosphere for personal and professional growth. This support was so welcomed, as Crystal recently earned her CASAC-T and certifications in Meditation, Mindfulness and Life Coaching.
When she is not at work Crystal is currently obsessed with learning the skills of needlepoint and cross stitch. During COVID she has discovered the joys of composting and spending ever day with her two youngest children, who she periodically forgets to feed.
Hello! I’m Nadine Zesky, I was born and raised in the Syracuse area and I am thrilled to be the new Part Time EAP Coordinator for the Syracuse area.
I spent 25 years in law enforcement, during that time I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Empire State College. My career was focused on how I best could serve my community. I spent the last half of my career as a family service officer, which allowed me to liaison with schools, service organizations and community advocates. I wanted to continue to serve my community after I retired so I decided to run for a position on my local school board. I was elected and served as a member for eight years. This solidified my knowledge that being involved in my community is my passion.
I have only been with CFLR for a short time and I have already learned so much. I love connecting people with services that will help them succeed and be the best they can be and this job is allowing me to do that!
I am married with two beautiful daughters and have the best dog ever! In my spare time I love to walk and spend time outdoors.
I am grateful for the opportunity CFLR has provided to me, allowing me to continue to serve my community. I look forward to growing with CFLR.
Bonnie Zweifel, LMSW
Over forty years of experience assisting individuals to deal with psychological, interpersonal, psychiatric, family and/or behavioral problems. Over thirty years of experience of providing individual, couple, family, and group counseling. Has provided specialized services to adults and teens – male and female- who have sexually offended and to children who have sexualized behavioral problems. Over fifteen years of providing supervision to MSW interns from a variety of graduate schools. Eleven years of working at the YWCA Rape Crisis Services in various roles such as a victim advocate, trainer, program coordinator and program director. 2004 Recipient of the Marilyn Etcheverry Award for Excellence. 2016 Recipient of the CFLR Advocacy Award. One of her greatest joys is thinking that she has helped people be more the people they want to be.
Hi, I'm Brittany Higgins. I strongly believe in the art of joining and meeting each individual that I work with where they are at. I also believe that everyone possesses the answers, qualities and skills to resolve their concern. I see my role in therapy as a guiding support to uncover the solution to each presenting concern. I come with a very diverse background in helping individuals with a wide variety of problems and believe that therapeutic trust and alliance is at the core of the therapy process.
I am Cassandra Sheets and honored to be the CEO of Center for Family Life and Recovery. I have had this honor since the inception of this Agency and truly believe that we all have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery! I started out as a case manager many years ago and received my Masters in Social Work with a passion for working with Employee Assistance Programs. This passion landed me at the Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism/Addictions and the rest is history of prevention, EAP and leadership growth but mostly embracing my family history of recovery and learning to appreciate it so much that we just needed to create an agency to help others find this joy in their lives. When I am not at work, I certainly keep busy with my family, husband, Bob of 26 years and our boys, Michael and Nicholas. We love to hike, and ski.
My name is Michele Kohl. I am still considered new here at CFLR. I worked in Healthcare for 28 years and a friend saw the CFLR COO position advertised and told me this would be perfect for me. I do feel this was truly meant to be as I love all the wonderful work CFLR does every day. I am very inspired by our CEO Cassandra Sheets who has taught me so very much in a short time. I feel very blessed everyday with all the inspiring stories of people who have been helped by the amazing staff at CFLR.
I am Heather Youda, a little over 4 years ago, I was looking for a career change from the corporate world and found CFLR. My heart always seems to feel best working at non for profits and this has been home since I walked through the door. I am currently the Executive Assistant for the CEO and help with Human Resources and Fundraising, I love to facilitate events and meeting and engaging out in our community.
Hello Everyone! I’m Ambi, the Director of Family Support Navigation Services. “They” say that you don’t choose this field, it chooses you, and I don’t think that sentiment could be truer about my life. I never realized the impact that substance use of those I loved, through many years of my life, impacted me the way that it did. I didn’t know how much I would learn about myself or how many amazing people would shape the way I see the world, because of the journey of Recovery. I never said or knew I wanted to be in this field, until I was led there. I didn’t know the passion and fierce love I’d have for making a difference and the people I’ve met, or even believing I could make a difference, would become a part of who I am. I feel so lucky to be a part of a work family that shares this passion and joy of our community members and each other. When I’m not playing hard with our CFLR team, I’m a yoga/pilates loving, puppy snuggling, ballroom dancing, nature loving, jump roping, book worm, photographer, health food nut, student of life, introvert who loves the people in my life fiercely and finds joy in each day in the little ways.
Bonnie Carr joined the team at CFLR a little over 2 months ago as Director of Recovery Services. She is a Licensed Master Social worker in New York State and a Credentialed Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor. Bonnie is also a MINT trainer (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) trained by Miller & Rollnick. She has almost 39 years working in the field of behavioral health care as a clinician, supervisor and an administrator. Bonnie has worked in child welfare and both the addiction and mental health treatment settings. She has seen the behavioral health care field evolve over the years and she continues to promote and believe in the resilience and well-being of the individuals who seek our assistance. She is an animal lover owning two cats & a dog, loves her garden, watching it grow, feeding the birds and taking in beautiful sunsets. Her belief is that “Just a drop of kindness could make a difference in a person’s life”. [anonymous author]
My name is Pam Houck and I've been with CFLR for a little over a year. I have been married to my husband for 38 years and have lived in 3 different States in our life together. We have one daughter Danielle and she is in her 3rd year of college. I enjoy helping others and have worked mostly in healthcare doing scheduling and reception. I am a Christian and am active in my church. I really don't have time for hobbies, but I love history and true stories.
Hello, my name is Dominica Liscio. I am originally from Herkimer, NY. I have been the Office Coordinator here at CFLR for about 8 months and absolutely love it! CFLR is such a great place to work, we are like a big family. I was supposed to get married in September but due to Covid we unfortunately had to postpone. We however, are trying to make light of this crazy time. I love spending time with my fiancé, my friends and my little, long haired Chihuahua.
Cortney Kleek - Education MVCC Human Services and Chemical Dependency Dual Major. Following college, I was offered the Prevention Specialist position at CFLR in March of 2019, in 11 months’ time I was promoted to Senior Prevention Specialist (my current position). I have a passion for working with youth who have suffered traumatic experiences and addiction, which is why I love doing prevention programming for the schools and community. In my free time, I enjoy hanging around family and friends. I look forward to growing my career in the field and furthering my education.
Lauren Platt - Education - I attended Mohawk Valley Community College, where I graduated in 2013 with my AAS in Human Services. Work history - I worked for a number of years for Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield as a customer care advocate until deciding to stay home to care for my children for a few years. Then in September of 2019 I accepted the position of part time Prevention Specialist at Center for Family Life and Recovery. Just a few short months later I was offered the full time position, which I happily accepted. I really enjoy working for this agency, and am thrilled to be making such a difference in our community. I look forward to growing with this agency, and being able to reach even more people of our community with prevention services, as well as the parenting and family services that I provide through evidence based programming. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my two sons, ages 17 and 12, and my friends and family.
My name is Brandi Lyons. I was born in Rome New York on April 8, 1987. I was raised in Rome, New York along with my three siblings. I graduated from Rome Free Academy in June of 2005. I have always had a passion for working with people and making a positive impact on my community. I jumped into the workforce directly following graduation and I have worked in the human service field ever since! I am the proud mother of two amazing children (Tiana and Justyce) who keep me motivated and determined to reach my goals. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, our children, and our two poodles (Ginger and Stormy). We love a good game of Skip-bo! Motherhood has taught me many things including the importance of education and following through with the goals that I set for myself. With that I went on to further my education and graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College in 2018 with an Associate’s Degree in Human Services. I joined the Center for Family Life and Recovery Inc. family in September of 2019 as The Compeer Specialist. I am Currently enrolled in SUNY Empire State college and I look forward to graduating in December 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Community.
David Garrett
Hi Everyone!
Joe Passalacqua - Ed. MVCC and Utica college, work history, started at Neighborhood Center as a Case Manager – 2 years. Went on to Oneida Co. Dept of Mental Health, - 5 years. Mohawk Valley Psych. Center Intensive Case Manager – 30 years retired. Started teaching the Impaired driving program for the Council on Alcoholism and Addiction in the mid 80s – present. That agency rolled into our current agency CFLR. After retirement I assumed the roll of coodinator for the IDP program. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and look forward to each season of Syracuse football.
Hello my name is Kristina and I’m 22! I graduated from SUNY Cortland with a bachelors in Psychology in 2019. I worked for the Neighborhood Center in the PINS (Person in Need of Supervision) Unit for Oneida County shortly after graduating which focuses on youth with behavioral and mental health issues. I eventually started working for CFLR in the PINS unit for Herkimer County until I was accepted to a masters program in New Jersey to continue my education in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in adolescent/childhood psychology. I hope to get my PhD and own my own practice eventually. Due to COVID-19 my classes were switched to online and CFLR worked with my schedule and allowed me to stay with the agency in the Prevention Dept. as a part time Prevention Specialist specifically for the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program while I start my grad program. I’m so grateful they gave me this opportunity and have helped me grow so much!
I believe everyone is in recovery from something. To be human means to experience loss, heartbreak, disappointments, and failure. My personal recovery has been learning how to love myself and embracing my inner Goddess amidst my heartbreaks, losses, disappointments and most importantly learning how to love myself in my failures. Change is uncomfortable and I no longer have to use substances to numb the discomforts that change can bring, I am dedicated to helping others learn how to navigate through their own recovery journey and to achieve a sound, fulfilled and purposeful life. Recovery is possible! Change is possible! I am a person who is willing to do the hard work to make positive change and achieve a life only recovery can bring! How can I help you in your recovery journey?
Hello everyone! My name is Katie Burns and I’m a CRPA-P in the Recovery Department here at CFLR. It is my own personal mission to strengthen and maintain my community connections in the recovery world and man does this profession help me show case that!! I am a single mommy to a funny, smart, active 8 year old who I can hardly keep up with but I sure do try! Since being on my recovery journey I have met the most amazing people who have really helped enhance my new way of life. But, it’s not always serious. I’m the class clown. I enjoy being the reason someone laugh’s today. I love spontaneous hiking trips, and beach days, really anything outdoors and with my family and friends! I strive to do better for myself and my son every single day. 
My name is Michelle Engelbrecht and I work in the Recovery Department as a Recovery Peer Advocate. I am new to the agency but I am loving my new role. I have dealt with addiction and recovery in one form or another for most of my life, including my own personal experience. I have been in recovery myself since 2009 and strive to help others suffering from addiction. I have been blessed to build an amazing life for myself, through recovery, that I truly believe I can share my experience, strength, and hope to help others see that it is possible to find a new way to live. I am excited to be a part of an agency that feels the same way.
My name is Tim Skinner. I am a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate employed at the Center for Family Life and Recovery.