Board of Directors

 Board Chair - President

Harry Blecker has extensive practical experience in all aspects of  program and project development, including management, administration,  monitoring, evaluation, sponsor relations, and negotiations as well as  experience in community/professional group presentations. Harry has  worked with elected government and school officials, management teams,  small businesses, non-profit organizations, operational staff, and  private consultants and citizens as well as statewide legislative and  veteran’s affairs liaison for the MI-SBDC. Blecker has supervised  diverse staff, including students, in multiple locations as well as  taught as an adjunct faculty instructor at Lansing Community College.  Harry is a recovery ally. 

Vice President

Dr. Jamil is excited to be a part of the Medical Rehabilitation  Group. A Kalamazoo native, he graduated from the University of Michigan,  double majoring in Chemistry and Cellular-Molecular Biology. He  attended medical school at Ross University and did his residency in  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Ohio State University in  Columbus, OH, where he was Chief Resident his final year. He  successfully completed a fellowship in Interventional Physiatry at  OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, NC. He is board certified in PM&R with  subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. His clinical interests  are spine, sports, and musculoskeletal medicine. When not working, he  enjoys exercising and spending time with his wife and two daughters. Dr.  Jamil is a recovery ally and aims to provide education for his fellow  colleagues in addiction recovery. 

Treasurer

Serenity House welcomes Erwin McKone to the board of directors as treasurer. Erwin is a Flint native and Powers Catholic graduate. He currently works as a sales representative for Turf Ventures. Erwin has extensive board experience with his most recent board experience as follows: he has served as president for Illinois Turfgrass Foundation from January 2010-January 2012 and President of the Michiana Golf Course Superintendents Association December 2009-December 2010. He has also served as a pastoral council members for St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church from January 2014-January 2017. Erwin is passionate about the recovery journey ( a recovery ally) and has a deep affinity for the spiritual path. He also is an avid dog lover. 

Secretary 

Allison Boggess is a registered nurse for Dixie Lodge Living and  Wellness in Grand Blanc, Michigan. In the facility  she utilizes  holistic as well as traditional care to assist individual with traumatic  brain injuries and spinal cord injuries work toward and maintain  productive and full lives.

Allison works with the community in many aspects to support and  foster long term recovery while addressing and opposing the stigma of  addiction.   

One of Allison’s proudest achievements is successful completion of  the Genesee County Adult Felony Drug Court. She still maintains a  working relationship with the drug court program and assists with peer  orientation. 

Allison is a married mother of seven and enjoys working to find a  healthy and productive balance of recovery, home life and career as well  as maintains inner balance through  meditation and mindful awareness.

Allison is an individual in long-term recovery and is devoted to  giving back to the community that has given so much support and healing  to her throughout her journey. 

Board Member

 Canisha Bell is a yoga instructor, meditation facilitator and  mindfulness educator. A Flint native and resident she graduated from the  University of Michigan- Flint, with a bachelor of science in Public  Health Education with particular interest in health disparities of  low-income, minority and marginalized populations.

Canisha is the founder of Black Girls Do Yoga, an organization  created to empower, women of color through an invitation of  accessibility, and inclusivity to holistic wellness of mind, body, and  spirit. 

She is the current lead of community outreach and engagement for the  Crim Fitness Foundation’s Mindfulness Initiative. She also a recovery  ally. 

Board Member

Shannon Tomlinson was born in Flint, Michigan, grew up in the town of Flushing, and has been a resident of Genesee County most of her life. She is a graduate of Flint Powers Catholic High School where she excelled academically and won two state championships in basketball- Go Lady Chargers!

Shannon went on to study nursing at Saginaw Valley State University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree. She has practiced as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department, the Intensive Care Unit, and specialized care areas. Shannon was the Administrator and Director of Nursing at Dixie Lodge Living & Wellness, of which she incorporated holistic healing modalities and educated clients and families on alternative medicinal options, alongside traditional approaches. Currently, Shannon is the Director of Healthcare at Grand Brook Memory Care in Wyoming, Michigan. She utilizes mindfulness in her care for clients with dementia and offers a well-balanced healing approach.

Shannon is a person in long-term recovery and is passionate about being an advocate of holistic healing. She successfully completed the Health Professional Recovery Program in 2011. She is certified in Recovery Reiki I & II, of which she practices in and out of her family life. She incorporates balance and practices meditation in her personal and work life. Shannon has three beautiful children whom are well aware of the importance of caring for the mind body and soul. She expresses gratitude for the life she and her better half, whom is also in recovery, have created for their family.  

Shannon says, “I am forever grateful for finding this path. I share my experience with an open mind, in hopes of touching the lives of many individuals searching for peace and serenity.” 

“There is Hope---People Do Recover from addiction, co-dependency, and trauma.” “The Serenity House of Flint is saving lives everyday-I am honored to be a part of the journey.” 

Board Member

Patrick Murphy is a native of Swartz Creek, Michigan and currently calls  Genesee County home. Pat has worked in the sales and service industry  since 1993 and is currently a Real Estate Specialist in his 4th year  working with The Sedlarik Group Real Estate Team. Pat is extremely  passionate about fitness and have been helping others obtain their  health and fitness goals for the past 15 years. Since 2009 he  has been an active part of the recovery community and is always  available for those in need of additional support. Pat is driven,  motivated, and positive individuals that plans to use his knowledge and  experience to help as many people in the community as possible. Pat says  he looks forward to working with The Serenity House of Flint and  promoting a great cause. “I am proud to be a part of this team!”