the team

 Shinece serves as the Executive Director of ReNew Recovery Café, guided by a genuine  commitment to recovery, human connection, and community care. She leads  with empathy, integrity, and a deep respect for the lived experiences of those ReNew serves. Shinece is dedicated to fostering welcoming,  inclusive spaces where individuals feel supported, empowered, and  encouraged to grow; both personally and collectively. Through  collaborative leadership and a steadfast belief in the power of  community, she works to ensure ReNew remains a place of hope, dignity,  and belonging.

Outside of her professional role, Shinece is the proud parent of two wonderful  children, has a deep love for animals, and finds meaningful balance and  joy through gardening.

Erin is a  passionate advocate for recovery, mental health, and victim services.  With a background in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care, she  has spent the past decade strengthening community partnerships,  expanding access to services, and promoting meaningful systems of  support. 

A  Florida resident since 2003, Erin earned a Bachelor of Science in  Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida and holds  certification in victim advocacy. She is dedicated to reducing stigma  surrounding mental health and substance use while championing recovery,  resilience, and connection.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys attending NASCAR races, live music and is a pig Mom to her pot belly pig.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Cassie played an instrumental role in launching Florida's first Recovery Café. Her journey into recovery began through Drug Court, and she now inspires and advocates for others navigating the criminal justice system. Cassie’s positivity is infectious, and her genuine belief in its transformative power shines wherever she goes.

A certified facilitator of numerous trainings on substance use disorders and mental health, Cassie uses her lived experience to connect with and uplift those she encounters. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her son Max, riding her motorcycle, and living life to the fullest. 

Shortly after beginning her recovery journey in 2009, Kristen left a 20-year career in Human Resources to pursue work in the substance use recovery field. Over the past 15 years, she has worked with local, state, and national organizations and provided consultation to several federally funded training and technical assistance centers, helping strengthen recovery support services and recovery communities across the United States.

After relocating to Florida from Vermont in 2020, Kristen was honored to help bring ReNew Recovery Café from vision to reality and support its continued growth. Today, she enjoys serving in a financial leadership role, helping build a strong foundation for the organization and expand its impact within the community.

When she's not working, Kristen enjoys Florida's sunshine and returns to Vermont whenever she can to visit family and friends.  

Lolo was deeply involved in the pre-planning and early volunteer efforts to open the Café. Now part of the team, she prepares meals for Members and continues to be a pillar of support. Born in Tennessee and raised in Alabama, Lolo moved to Florida in 2004.

She is an active member of the Recovery Church and Celebrate Recovery, volunteers at her church pantry, and is always ready to lend a hand wherever needed.

Twila moved to Florida in 1980 and brings her rich background to the Café. The daughter of two military officers, she has lived across the U.S. She holds a master’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s in elementary education. A proud mother of three and a dedicated dog mom, Twila finds joy in family time and cheering on her daughter’s basketball team.

She is passionate about making the world a better place and sees the good in everyone. Twila enjoys exploring nature, walking in the woods, and sharing laughter with those around her.

Sydni brings a deep sense of purpose and compassion to her role on the street outreach team. A Florida resident for nearly a decade, she combines lived experience with a commitment to supporting individuals in her community.

Her journey with the Café began as a guest, where she immediately felt a powerful connection to the mission and community. Shortly thereafter, she joined the team as a Peer Specialist, driven by a desire to help others in recovery. Just weeks into her role, Sydni assisted with street outreach and quickly discovered her passion for engaging with the unhoused community. She has since taken on a key administrative role, providing both frontline support and behind-the-scenes coordination to ensure outreach efforts are effective and compassionate.

Sydni is currently pursuing a degree at Southern New Hampshire University, with a long-term goal of building a career in the recovery field. Outside of her professional and academic life, she enjoys spending quality time with her young son, family, and friends—often exploring new places, swimming, or enjoying the Florida sunshine.   

Rachel bringing over 40 years of experience in caregiving roles supporting the  elderly and differently abled. Originally from Fall River,  Massachusetts, she has dedicated much of her life to helping others with  compassion, patience, and empathy.

Rachel  is in recovery from mental health challenges and has family members in  recovery from substance use disorder, which deeply informs her peer  support approach. She is passionate about helping others find hope,  purpose, and connection in their own recovery journeys.

Outside  of her professional role, Rachel is a proud mother of four and  grandmother of three, and she treasures spending time with her family  especially her grandchildren. She enjoys staying active through  exercise, attending live music events (with a special love for rock and  roll), relaxing at the beach, and taking nature walks. Rachel embraces  life fully and encourages others to do the same, living each day with  gratitude and intention.  

Jessica born and raised in Osteen, Florida, a small town in Southwest Volusia County that has deep roots in her family dating back to the 1800s. She  is a person in recovery who brings lived experience with both substance  use and mental health challenges to her work.

In  her early recovery, Jessica had the opportunity to be part of a women’s  recovery house, where she later served as the coordinator of the women’s intermediate house, supporting others as they began their  journeys in recovery. Her passion for helping others is rooted in her own experiences and growth.

Outside of her professional role, Jessica enjoys spending time with her son, especially fishing and doing outdoor activities he loves. She also  enjoys gardening and finds joy in “playing in the dirt” and helping  things grow. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to turn her pain  into purpose and is committed to helping others build healthier,  happier lives.