About Us

---

Mike’s recovery journey spans almost 25 years. His sobriety date is October 8, 1999 and he hasn’t stopped helping others since. 

His passion to assist others to overcome what are the most basic, yet most difficult obstacles in early recovery is the relentless force behind Courage To Change Recovery Services. 

Assisting people in their transition from addiction to recovery is rarely a straight line. Mike’s personal passion for community outreach combined with his long-standing presence and experienced voice in the recovery arena in Snohomish and surrounding counties has established CTC’s standing as a reliable non-profit services organization of integrity, focused to help those seeking services to attain and/or sustain recovery without falling into the gaps that can come during the recovery journey. “The gaps that come along the road to recovery can create a life or death situation for people taking those first steps forward in their recovery- from relapse to becoming a target for patient brokers. Offering services I call ‘gap services’- such segue sober housing between detox and treatment or a ride to detox could mean the difference between life and death. We are constantly looking at those ‘gaps’ and how we can fill them in order to come alongside a person in the early stages of recovery in ways that help them stay on track in that early period of the recovery journey.”   

Whether he’s assisting people as they enter detox or treatment to helping someone secure sober living/housing, Mike’s experienced voice of help, hope and encouragement is always available.   

Mike’s professional affiliations with non-profits include board memberships with the Hoff Foundation (board member), The Hand Up Project (Treasurer, board member), Courage to Change Housing (Vice President), and currently, as our President at Courage To Change Recovery Services.

While Mike enjoys fishing, camping and spending time with family and friends, he says his heart is most filled in his outreach to those still suffering active addiction. “I’ve been where they are. As grateful as I am for my own sobriety and recovery, there isn’t gratefulness more full than watching another person grab ahold of recovery, flourish and become a whole person again. Getting to be a part of their journey to freedom is fulfilling in a way I can’t describe.” 

Mike.ctcrs@gmail.com

 Christina has been in recovery since May 2012. Her recovery program led her to work with non-profits with missions of recovery. 

One of the key factors to our success in helping people at CTC is our commitment to meet people where they are, maintaining an openness to the many pathways to recovery. Christina’s recovery experience and service work in the recovery arena are centered on the utilization of a multiplicity of recovery processes that help us help reach and refer services at an individual level.  

Christina’s recovery affiliations include her current role as CTC’s Vice President as well as board member of Casa De Maria, which focuses on healing trauma with light and sound therapies; board member at World Transformation Alliance, a focused organization geared toward intentional communities and community living. 

She helped start the non-profit, The Hand Up Project in 2013 where she forged partnerships with other local organizations, The Hoff Foundation and The House Ministries. 

Christina is a mom and works for North Coast Lighting and free-lances as a videographer. She is currently working on her personal project to complete a video documentary on addiction and medically assisted treatment.

Christinaa.ctcrs@gmail.com

Alissa enjoys spending time volunteering with several different organizations in our community! 

Alissa has been in recovery since June of 2018, which led her to her passion of outreach to the homeless and individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD/addiction) who are ready to make a change. 

Alissa is a strong community conduit for CTC as she volunteers with several different organizations that partner together to meet the needs of our clients. She works with the community to provide meals, clothes, phones, social services, resources, transportation, treatment services and potential housing to help people get back on their feet. As a board member at CTC, Alissa’s strong networking helps create more sober housing opportunities for our clients to enable stronger stability and growth after detox and/or treatment, which reinforces sustained longevity in recovery.   

“From the moment a person decides he/she is ready to make a change, it’s our continuous goal to provide some of the core helps a person needs for transition from active addiction in a way that will help build a strong base for their recovery journey to start. From a ride to detox and or treatment, to helping find sober housing to providing some essential, immediate needs such as our hygiene packs- all of those things matter immensely.” 

Alissa is married with four children. In her free time, Alissa enjoys strength training, hiking, gardening, reading, and spending time with her family.  

Alissa.ctcrs@gmail.com

Mishele Rutherford is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and  has worked in the substance use disorder and mental health field for over 12 years in various capacities. 

She is passionate about supporting people to reach a meaningful recovery. She believes that often the most successful approach is with a community of people through recovery groups, supportive housing, mental health care and other like minded professionals that recognize that each individual person will thrive when their unique needs are met. 

 "It has always felt like a precious gift to be allowed to walk alongside someone struggling with addiction to overcome both their personal obstacles as well as those imposed through societal norms" 

She currently is an owner and provider of a mental health practice in Lynnwood Washington. Her past work has been in non- profit recovery organizations as a provider as well as working as a nurse with pregnant mothers in an inpatient SUD program. 

Mishele is married and has two adult daughters. She enjoys any time she gets to spend with her three grandchildren and is looking forward to her fourth grandchild arriving soon.

mishele@northsoundmentalwellness.com