"Resilience is the heartbeat of recovery — the quiet, determined power to rise, even when addiction has tried to steal everything. Science shows the brain can heal; compassion reminds us we are never alone in the fight. Together, they turn shattered stories into testimonies of strength, hope, and new beginnings."
Our Team
At Grit & Grace, our team is more than staff — we are a community of people who have walked the path of recovery and are passionate about walking alongside others. We believe in honoring each person’s unique recovery journey through multiple pathways. Our backgrounds, experiences, and stories — allow us to connect with individuals from every walk of life with empathy, respect, and understanding. Our diversity strengthens us, allowing us to serve our community with compassion, wisdom, and hope. Together, we share one mission: to create a safe, supportive space where healing happens, hope is restored, and lives are transformed.
Bill Carruthers
Executive Director
CPS-AD-MH-FP-WH
Alicia Brown
Program Manager
Ordained Minister
CPS-AD-MH
Denise Ridgeway
CPS-AD, AAS
Michelle Smiley
Transportation Coordinator
Board Of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up entirely of individuals in long-term recovery who bring both personal experience and professional expertise to their leadership. With over 50 years of combined service to their communities, our board members embody the heart of our mission — that recovery is real, sustainable, and powerful. Their diverse backgrounds, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment guide Grit & Grace with wisdom, integrity, and a shared passion for creating lasting change in the lives of those we serve.
Sheldon Landy
Chairman of the Board
Lead Pastor Park Place Church
Director of Min -One Heart
Jerrell Collins
Associate Pastor Park Place Church
CPS-MH
Shevander Dykes
Treasurer
Certified Peer Support
Our team includes Certified Peer Specialists in Addictive Disease (CPS-AD), trained through Georgia’s CARES program. As individuals in long-term recovery themselves, CPS-ADs use their lived experience to provide peer-led, evidence-based support. Through one-on-one and group sessions, they guide others in building self-awareness, setting goals, and exploring multiple pathways to recovery. Their personal journey, combined with professional training, allows them to offer hope, understanding, and real-world tools that empower lasting recovery.
