MEET OUR founders
Lori Porter, CEO
Lori graduated from Sarasota High, and has lived in Hardee County since 2014. She loves the heartland region and the strong sense of community that this region thrives on. She had worked in the medical field since high school and spent 8 years working in a neurology office as a medical assistant and office manager. That position gave her an understanding of how the addictive mind functions and how it can be healed. Lori majored in business management in college before deciding to start a family. That knowledge has proved valuable as this corporation has grown from a dream and desire on paper to the reality of helping transform lives. She is certified as a Family Integrity Training Facilitator.
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Duane Porter, Executive Director
Duane is a 4th generation Floridian, and has lived in Hardee County since kindergarten. He has victory over a 25 year alcohol and methamphetamine addiction, and has been sober since June of 2006. His passion is encouraging people to take back their life from the grips of addiction, and find their true gifts and talents that will allow them to live a successful sober life. His desire is to help restore a community that has been devastated by drugs and alcohol. Working in this field since 2009 has given him an understanding of how to make this facility model work for this community. He has led many recovery and life skills groups. Duane was ordained as a pastor in 2013, he has completed the Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training, and is a certified Family Integrity Training Facilitator
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Jim Rouches, Executive Director
Jim has victory over decades of addictions, and has been sober since 2004. He is well known in the recovery community for his innovative way of helping others break the bondage of addiction. Jim was previously the program director for a 122-bed residential treatment facility. He has held a seat on the Sarasota County Criminal Justice Commission since 2014 and has been appointed to the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Planning Council. Jim is also an ordained pastor. He currently teaches classes at the Salvation Army and at the recovery pod in the Sarasota County Jail.
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Josh Porter, Program Director
Josh's heart to help those in addictions comes from watching multiple family members struggle with the disease. Josh is an ordained pastor with The Crossings Ministries. He has seen God do a mighty work in their lives, and strives to share those victories with others. Having worked in the corporate world for many years managing people, gives him insight into how to bring out the best in our clients. He was previously our Youth Outreach Director, and still remains active in coaching teams for youth sports.