Staff & Volunteers

Founder & Executive Director

Tara Moreno-Wallen, M.A., ADS, holds a master’s degree in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. Moreno worked as a news reporter for four years before becoming the founder and executive director of Serenity House in 2015. Moreno’s inspiration came from her own recovery journey. She trained in recovery coaching through Genesee Health Systems in 2016 and is a member of the Genesee County Prevention Coalition. She also sits on Genesee County’s Family Against Narcotics advisory board. Other networks also include Faces & Voices for Recovery and Mobilize Recovery, national organizations geared at eradicating addiction stigma and unifying people in recovery. Moreno is also a certified Reiki master teacher, developer of Recovery Reiki, and is a certified Acudetox Specialist. 

Ms. Moreno is experienced in non-profit board development and recruitment, strategic planning, and budget crafting and implementation. Her role includes developing, leading on, and managing project strategies and work plans; managing and supervising staff and directing tasks on individual projects; providing strategic guidance of varying substance to staff on a wide variety of issues; directing stakeholder interactions, including facilitating meetings, calls, presentations, and conferences; contributing to planning and new outreach development, including drafting proposals for potential clients. Moreno collaborates with individuals and/or organizations such as law enforcement, health care and other community resources and systems in Genesee County and other regions in the state of Michigan to establish working relationships and systems of referral and engagement with recovery coaches and recovery support services. 

”Tavé is a certified recovery coach and level II Recovery Reiki practitioner. She is also an advocate of a holistic  lifestyle and is working to spread the love and knowledge of Holistics  to the community. “I am honored to be able to work with The Flint  Serenity House team.” 

Kari Walker studied Business Management at Baker College and has over a decade of experience in office management, accounting, recruiting and administrative tasks. Kari has experienced trauma and codependency throughout her life, and addiction is in her family. Her personal healing journey, and natural ability to work and support others sparked her desire to share holistic wellness strategies rooted in support of emotional growth and radical self love. Kari is a Reiki Master and is attending the Recovery Reiki course to expand her knowledge.

Reiki Master, & EFT Practitioner

Michael Wallen is the co-owner of Green Tara Holistic Recovery Services.  Michael says it’s not uncommon when someone experiences addiction,  co-dependency or trauma for their life to unravel. Michael helps  Serenity House build capacity for research. His interests include  gathering quantitative and qualitative data for the organization.   Michael holds certifications as an Acupuncture Detoxification  Specialist, in WHEE (Wholistic Hybrid EMDR EFT) and in EFT-1.  He also  has an Engineering Degree from the University of Michigan – Flint. “I  believe it is the relationship that we have with ourselves that is  ultimately what creates the world around us. Therefore, I want to help  as many individuals to heal and change their internal reality as  possible. This will impact our families, our communities and our society  in a way that is quite miraculous,” says Michael. Michael is a person  in long-term recovery with holistic methods.   If you would like to schedule one-on-one services with Michael, please visit our appointments page at 

Reiki Master and Registered Nurse

Allison Boggess, RN 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.

 Drumming Facilitators

Ool is the owner of StrongHeart Drum Medicine with his wife Kellie  Pardi who is a staff member at Catholic Charities. The two have been  working together over the past couple of years to deliver drum circles  and drum ceremonies across Michigan. In 2014, Ool took a drumming class  with Spirit Hawk of the Ojibwa Nation. He was given the name StrongHeart  by Chief White Buffalo at a gathering in Alocna County, Michigan. The  Pardi’s facilitate ceremonies in yoga studios, churches and private  residences. Together they create a unique experience using native  instruments from around the world. Kellie and Ool are recovery allies.