Staff

Program Director
Dr. Donn Griffith has been working with the homeless population since 1995. After his retirement from the United States Air Force in 1994 he began working with youth and families in crisis. For nine years he worked for Covenant House Alaska as a Family Advocate. Since 2004 he has worked with adult dual diagnosed clients in a variety of settings. He has been an advocate for the homeless and those with mental health concerns since 1978. Dr. Griffith is an ordained minister and believes very strongly in the principle that each individual has worth and should be given every opportunity to succeed in life. In his spare time Dr. Griffith spends time playing with his grandchildren and participating in his lifelong passion for the game of golf.

Assistant Program Director
Michael Hammer did not originally identify himself with the various labels that could be associated with him: Developmentally Disabled with Mental Health Challenges. He struggled through many aspects of his life: relationships, work and social. He still tried to be his best, but had difficulties off and on preventing him from achieving his fullest potential. Michael had a major stumble in life which caused him to serve time in jail. Afterwards, he had the opportunity to attend groups dealing with his challenges. Completing these groups Michael found he needed more, so he came to the Consumer Web. Michael discovered ways to self direct his recovery. Michael has been on a continued journey of recovery since then. Michael believes as a Peer Administrator he has been given the opportunity to help others on to the path of recovery.

Peer Support Specialist
Hosanna Lahaie-Lee, has made it her path to recover, many years prior to understanding she was “on a mission” with no “buzz words”. Having been born with severe learning (labeled retarded) challenges, she began to search for her answers at a young age, while, also cultivating the skills of listening, compassion, and standing up for others. She was able to use other accommodations to augment her learning styles, get her GED, get her degree, while always” paying it forward. She has served others in many differing capacities, but, prefers to share her self not thru her accomplishments, titles or education, but instead thru her experience, strengths and hopes, knowledge of community supports, at the grass roots level. Hosanna believes that through these doors walk the world’s finest people.

Board

Board President
Tracy Barbee is a Certified Public Accountant. She has vast experience in the consumer movement. In the past, she has been the State of Alaska’s NAMI Executive Director. She has served on both the Alaska Mental Health Board and the Alaska Psychiatric Institute’s Advisory Board. Tracy has been a voice of Advocacy in Alaska for individuals with Mental Health challenges for over 10 years. Tracy has a special passion for children experiencing Mental Health Challenges. Tracy started one of Alaska’s first parent-and-child support groups for learning to better understand Mental Health challenges.  She knows they will become the leaders of a brighter tomorrow.

Board Vice President
John Flink, a United States Army Veteran, former Land Survey Engineer and Night Club Entertainment DJ/Consultant, is also a peer and volunteer that has overcome the challenges of Alcoholism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Depression. John believes that he was able to recover because of the rediscovery of God and Jesus Christ back into his life. With his spirituality and renewed faith, he is able to dedicate himself to the work of enlightening others in the untapped potential that they have within themselves. John believes that everyone can recover if they are willing to do the work and seek the out the necessary supports. John is also now a part time Deejay and technophile

Corrine O’Neill is a social worker who first began her work in social services as an employee of Aiding Women and Abuse Rape Emergencies in Juneau, Alaska. She received a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis with a concentration in Community and Economic Development. As an employee for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation she administered the Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME Program for the State of Alaska. Ms. O’Neill’s interest is developing and preserving affordable housing options for persons with special needs. She is currently employed by the Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Neighborhoods where she staffs the Anchorage Coalition on Homelessness and assists in overseeing the City’s Ten Year Plan on Homelessness. In her free time she likes to cross country ski and take walks with her dog.

Samantha Thornton has worked 20 years in the Human Services field. She has great experience with working with Peers in need of vocational training and housing. She is no stranger to the Web’s consumer philosophy. She worked for four years as an outreach specialist for Anchorage Community Mental Health Services. Samantha has been interested in the Consumer Web since it was a fledgling organization. Samantha would like to help people learn that Peers with disabilities are not broken, but are just in need of a fair opportunity.

Eddie Johnson is now known around Fairview as a mentor and a feeder of the hungry. He currently works as a chef for NANA that contracts to the Domiciliary. Before this in his words “He ran the streets of Fairview doing some crazy things.” Eddie made a choice to recover, but even more he choice to show others by his active example the path to recovery. Eddie is a humble man that believes in doing, versus talking. He sponsors many events promoting sobriety in the Fairview Community. Eddie also is a Vietnam Era Army Veteran

Wesley Dick, a Tlingit Native, was born with many challenges. Also, he has fought with Alcoholism, but has been clean and sober for 20+years. Wesley faced a life changing accident that helped him reframe his life. Wesley became passionate to help individuals learn more. He has a desire to allow all people to learn the lessons he did without the struggles and hardships he faced. He believes with a strong choice based education in prevention our peer communities can grow and be healthy. He has a burning desire to share Alaska Native culture with the next generation so its ways and values are not lost.