Our Staff

Andrea Connolly, B.Sc., CACII

Founder/Executive Director

Andrea has been in long-term recovery since 2010 and has dedicated the past 11 years to serving individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of North Georgia and has extensive experience in addiction treatment, including serving as a drug court counselor, group facilitator, and case manager in residential treatment programs.

Andrea is a Certified Addiction Counselor II (CAC II) and an approved Education Provider through the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA). She also holds certifications in Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), and Seeking Safety. She is currently working toward becoming a Clinical Supervisor, further expanding her ability to mentor and support professionals in the addiction treatment field.

A dedicated advocate for ethical, recovery-focused care, Andrea previously served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GARR), where she helped promote ethical standards and best practices for recovery programs across the state.

Outside of her professional work, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family as a devoted mother and grandmother, as well as making memories with friends. She believes many women enter recovery carrying the weight of trauma, shame, and guilt after years of addiction. Through compassion, patience, and unwavering support, Andrea is committed to helping each woman heal, rediscover her strength, and build a foundation for lasting recovery.

Laarni McCarver, CACI, CPS-AD, FPM, EAS, ARBS

Program Coordinator

Laarni has been in long-term recovery since 2011 and has dedicated the past nine years to serving others in the behavioral health and recovery field. Her experience includes facilitating groups for an accountability court and serving in several roles at a residential treatment facility in Athens, Georgia, where she developed extensive knowledge and expertise in addiction recovery and peer support.

Laarni holds multiple professional certifications, including Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Anger Resolution, Experiential Activities Specialist, Forensic Peer Mentor, Certified Peer Specialist in Addictive Diseases, and Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC I) through the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA).

A passionate advocate for recovery, Laarni is a former President of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GARR) and was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Georgia Recovers Billboard Campaign, helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding recovery.

Laarni's mission is rooted in her own recovery journey. She lives each day with the goal of showing others that their past does not define their future. She believes every person has inherent worth, the capacity for change, and the opportunity to build a meaningful, fulfilling life in recovery.

Katie Dunagan, C.A.R.E.S, CPS-AD

Case Manager/Group Facilitator

Katie discovered her passion for helping others in recovery after graduating from Hall County Drug Court in March 2013. Drawing from both her personal recovery journey and professional education, she is dedicated to empowering individuals as they build healthy, fulfilling lives in recovery.

Katie earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, with a focus on addiction studies. She is trained in Trauma-Informed Care and the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), equipping her to support individuals through a compassionate, person-centered approach.

Katie believes that a strong foundation for recovery begins with willingness, hope, and self-confidence. Her goal is to help people recognize their value, believe in themselves, and discover that lasting recovery is possible.

Outside of work, Katie enjoys baking, cooking, and spending time with her animals—especially her five beloved cats.

"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." — Maya Angelou