Gina Hooper

In the depths of my struggles, I was lost amidst the tumultuous currents of substance abuse, a journey marked by 19 felony convictions and 89 misdemeanor convictions. Each stumble seemed to deepen the abyss that consumed me, leaving me grappling with despair and uncertainty. Yet, amid the chaos, on April 20, 2013, a flicker of hope ignited within me. It was a spark fueled by a desire for redemption, a longing to break free from the chains that bound me to my past. With trembling hands and a heart heavy with doubt, I took my first tentative steps towards a different path.

With unwavering determination, I embarked on a quest for knowledge, driven by an insatiable thirst for change. I pursued an associate degree in science, focusing on addiction studies delving into the intricate web of substance abuse and its impact on individuals and communities, a bachelor’s degree in social work while immersing myself in the complexities of human behavior and societal structures where I unearthed the depths of empathy within me, forging connections with those who walked similar paths of struggle. Then, I pursued a master’s degree in social work, honing my skills as a catalyst for change, advocating for those whose voices were often drowned out by society’s indifference. It was a journey fraught with challenges, yet each hurdle only served to strengthen my resolve. Weeks later, with a yearning for systemic change, I pursued another master’s degree, this time in business administration with a concentration in healthcare management. It was a testament to my belief in the power of education as a force for transformation, as I sought to bridge the gap between policy and practice, forging new pathways towards holistic healing.

With a career spanning over a decade, eight years within the same organization, I’ve journeyed from the operational trenches to leadership heights. Beginning humbly as a technician, I evolved into roles of increasing responsibility, from admission counselor to counselor and eventually to service director. Relocated to Long Island, I assumed the mantle of executive service director, pioneering the establishment of a detox facility. Subsequently, my path led me to another relocation having spearheaded an acquisition endeavor of a 152-bed detox and residential facility, strategically positioned near Kensington, the epicenter of the nation’s opioid crisis, as the executive director over multiple facilities in two different states. This trajectory underscores my unwavering commitment to serving and transforming communities impacted by addiction.

I am filled with gratitude for the journey, however arduous it may have been. For it was in the crucible of adversity that I discovered my true calling – to lend a guiding hand to those lost in the throes of addiction and to serve as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. And now, armed with the knowledge and experience garnered along the way, I stand ready to pay forward the gifts of grace and second chances. I believe that true healing lies not only in the redemption of the individual, but in the collective efforts of a community committed to lifting each other up, one soul at a time.