Conversations with Jocelyn Wallace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Wallace.

Jocelyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with lived experience. I am a person in long-term recovery, and my own journey through addiction, healing, and restoration opened my eyes to both the gaps and the possibilities in how we support people and families impacted by substance use.

In recovery, I found not just sobriety but purpose. I saw firsthand how powerful connection, dignity, and community are in sustaining long-term healing. I also saw how many people were falling through the cracks, especially those without access to consistent, compassionate support.

That realization is what led me to start The Never Alone Clubhouse. What began as a vision to create a safe, welcoming space for people to feel seen, supported, and not alone has grown into a recovery support center serving individuals, families, and communities. Our work now includes peer support, community partnerships, mobile outreach, and recovery navigation for people in some of their most vulnerable moments.

Today, I serve as Executive Director, leading from both professional expertise and lived experience. Every step of this journey has reinforced my belief that recovery is possible, community changes lives, and no one should have to walk this path alone. The work I do now is a direct reflection of where I have been, what I have overcome, and the hope I believe is available to everyone.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. As someone with lived experience of substance use disorder and justice involvement, stepping into a leadership role meant confronting stigma head-on, both personally and professionally.

From the beginning, I was often navigating spaces where my past was viewed before my qualifications or vision. There was a significant lack of education in my community about substance use disorder, and I frequently found myself advocating not only for services, but for understanding. I had to challenge harmful narratives and help others see recovery as a health issue and justice involvement as a point of transformation, not a permanent label.

Leading with lived experience required resilience. I was learning how to build and lead an organization while also pushing back against deeply rooted misconceptions. There were moments when credibility had to be earned through consistency and results rather than trust being given freely.

Those challenges became part of the mission. They strengthened my resolve to lead with transparency, compassion, and evidence. Over time, education replaced fear, relationships replaced resistance, and stigma began to give way to collaboration. The journey has been difficult, but it has also affirmed that lived experience is not a limitation. It is a powerful form of leadership and a catalyst for meaningful change.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is focused on building and leading recovery support systems that are rooted in compassion, dignity, and community connection. As the founder and Executive Director of The Never Alone Clubhouse, I specialize in developing peer-led recovery support services for individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. My work bridges lived experience with professional leadership, systems collaboration, and community education.

I am known for leading with authenticity and consistency. Whether working with individuals in crisis, community partners, or statewide systems, I prioritize trust, relationship-building, and practical solutions that meet people where they are. I have also become known for advocating for education around substance use disorder, justice involvement, and recovery, helping shift community perceptions and reduce stigma through action and presence.

What I am most proud of, outside of the relationships rebuilt with my children and family, is the recognition from the very community I once harmed during active addiction and now serve in recovery. Receiving the Sam P. Roberts Community Service Award was deeply meaningful, as it represented acknowledgment from my lifelong community of the dedication, accountability, and service I have poured into helping others heal. That same community is where I now work to create safe spaces for individuals with substance use disorder to find hope, connection, and support.

Another significant milestone was The Never Alone Clubhouse being named Recovery Community of the Year in 2024 for the state of Georgia. That recognition affirmed the impact of our model and the collective effort of our team, partners, and peers across the state.

What sets me apart is the integration of lived experience, professional leadership, and unwavering commitment to community restoration. I lead not only from knowledge and strategy, but from personal transformation. My work is grounded in the belief that recovery is possible, communities can heal, and when people are given dignity, support, and opportunity, lasting change follows.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Yes, and I want to be honest and encouraging here. Mentorship and networking have been essential, but they did not happen overnight.

What worked best for me was starting with relationships, not titles. I looked for people whose values aligned with mine, who showed integrity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to the work. I paid attention to how people treated others, especially those with less power or visibility. Those were the people I felt safe learning from.

I also learned to be clear about what I was seeking. Whether it was guidance on leadership, nonprofit growth, or navigating systems, naming the need opened the door for meaningful conversations. Many mentors came through collaboration on projects, community meetings, or shared service work rather than formal mentor programs.

When it comes to networking, consistency mattered more than perfection. Showing up, following through, and being willing to listen built trust over time. I focused on giving as much as I received, offering support, sharing resources, and lifting others up whenever I could.

Most importantly, I learned not to disqualify myself. Early on, it was easy to feel like I did not belong in certain rooms. What helped was remembering that lived experience is expertise, and that my voice mattered. The right mentors and connections see your potential, not just your resume, and they walk with you as you grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.NeverAloneCh.org
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/neveraloneclubhouse