Welcome to Love, Recovery, and Connections (LRC)—a sanctuary for those who need compassionate care and a home that embraces every individual’s journey toward healing and growth – in LOVE. The leadership and vision of our Board of Directors are the driving forces behind LRC’s mission. Comprised of dedicated professionals with expertise in nursing, social work, managed care, accounting, and marketing, our board upholds the highest standards of service integrity, and impact. Together, we are committed to creating an environment where every resident is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, ensuring their unique needs are met with care and understanding.
At Love, Recovery, and Connections (LRC), our work is guided by a commitment to these core values:
Love : At the heart of everything we do is love– providing unconditional care, understanding and support to all who enter our home.
Family : Our home primarily comprises employees who are family and friends, and we treat our residents as an extension of our family. We embrace them with open hearts, creating a true sense of belonging
Compassion : We provide care with empathy, kindness, and a deep understanding of each individual’s needs.
Dignity : We respect the inherent worth of every person, fostering an environment where all residents feel valued and respected.
Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and ethical conduct.
Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and ensure our services are accessible and welcoming to all, regardless of background or circumstance. We celebrate diversity and ensure our services are accessible and welcoming to all, regardless of background or circumstance.
Excellence : We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care and continuously improving our services to meet the evolving needs of our residents.
Connection: We nurture meaningful relationships and a sense of community among residents, staff, and families.
Vilitha Clay
Founder, MSW, LCSW
Founded by Vilitha Clay, Love, Recovery, and Connections (LRC) provides compassionate, individualized care to vulnerable veterans and elderly individuals. Inspired by her mother’s legacy, Lawana Rita Coleman (LRC), Vilitha turned her personal loss into a mission— offering a safe, supportive home for those in need.
Vilitha’s passion for service began early. Raised in a Christian household by a nurse and minister, she was instilled with integrity, resilience, and a heart for helping others. She pursued a career in healthcare, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and
advancing through roles in dialysis, case management, medical social work, and psychotherapy. While balancing motherhood, education, and career, she earned her master’s degree in social work, further solidifying her dedication to serving vulnerable
populations.
For years, Vilitha dreamed of opening an adult family home to create a safe and supportive space for those in need. However, she postponed this dream to focus on her family, career, and ministry. After the tragic passing of her mother, Lawana Rita Coleman, who passed away alone in her apartment in Tennessee, Vilitha knew she could not wait any longer. LRC was born from this profound loss, carrying her mother’s initials and honoring her legacy of love, service, and compassion.
Beyond her professional leadership at LRC and as a director at a mental health clinic, Vilitha is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and advocate. She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising, and meditating. Her love language is quality time and acts of service.
Through Love, Recovery, and Connections, Vilitha is fulfilling her life’s purpose—ensuring that no one at LRC faces life’s challenges alone.
Vice Chair - Stacy Clay
Co-Founder and Peer Support Specialist
Stacy Clay serves as the Vice Chair of LRC and brings an invaluable perspective as a co-founder and Peer Support Specialist. With exceptional active listening skills and a judgment-free approach, Stacy helps participants delve deeper into their life situations, trauma, and personal challenges. He is committed to making LRC’s program content relevant and applicable to everyday life, empowering individuals to navigate and overcome life’s obstacles.
Stacy understands the importance of addressing key areas such as education, vocation, literacy, substance abuse, and mental health. His extensive experience includes facilitating transformative group programs such as: Anger Management, Thinking for a Change, AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction), Restorative Justice, and Adult Victims of Childhood Trauma
As a Peer Support Specialist, Stacy is dedicated to helping individuals find their voices and take ownership of their recovery journeys. He believes deeply in the value of every person he encounters, guided by his personal philosophy: “YOU MATTER.” Stacy’s compassion and commitment make him an integral part of LRC’s mission to foster growth and healing.
Kristy Gortzke, ADN, RN
Board Director
Kristy Gortzke is a Registered Nurse (RN) and manager at a managed care organization. Kristy brings her organizational management and community engagement skills to strengthen LRC’s operational effectiveness, ensuring that efforts align with regulated licensing, partners’ goals and the LRC mission.
Bobby Walker, MSW, LCSW
Board Director
Bobby is a licensed psychotherapist and owner of a therapy clinic with a strong passion for mental health advocacy. Her clinical expertise and dedication to fostering emotional recovery align closely with LRC’s mission of holistic care. Bobby’s experience in therapy and counseling provides valuable guidance for creating supportive environments for residents.
Chakita Dunlap, MBA, MSW
Board Director
Chakita holds business and social work degrees, making her an exceptional leader at LRC. As a Program Manager, her dual expertise balances organizational efficiency and empathetic service delivery. Chakita is instrumental in creating programs that empower residents and enhance their quality of life.
Inga Fane-Baker, ADN, RN
Board Director
Inga is a dedicated Registered Nurse (RN) whose wealth of clinical expertise and commitment to compassionate care make her an essential part of Love, Recovery, and Connections (LRC). With her nursing background, Inga plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of LRC’s residents while contributing her insights to enhance the quality of care provided.
Aida L. Flore, BA
Officer
Aida Leflore, the founder and CEO of Leflore Accounting Services, LLC, serves as the Finance Officer at LRC. With over a decade of experience as an accountant since 2011, Aida’s expertise lies in helping individuals, small businesses, nonprofits, and political organizations navigate the complexities of tax filing and accounting.
Aida is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a degree in Accounting from Lakeland College. Her professional journey has included working with CPA firms and national tax organizations, providing her with invaluable insights into financial best practices.
Passionate about making accounting accessible and understandable, Aida enjoys helping organizations and individuals achieve their financial goals. Beyond her professional work, Aida loves to travel and is an avid salsa dancer, bringing energy and creativity to every aspect of her life.
Salina Jewell, BA
Officer
As the Marketing and Communications Officer for LRC, Salina Jewell leverages her expertise in social media strategy, brand marketing, and influencer engagement to elevate LRC’s presence and impact. Her skills include: Social Media Engagement and Strategy, Community Management, Project Management, Social Listening and Crisis Identification, Influencer Marketing Strategy, Insights Reporting, and Beauty and Lifestyle Industry Trends. Salina brings a deep passion for connecting with target communities and crafting thoughtful strategies that align with organizational goals. She has successfully utilized social strategies to build brand prominence and awareness across multiple touchpoints, achieving measurable results. Salina thrives in brainstorming and “big picture” thinking, combining creativity with execution to deliver beautiful outcomes. Her ability to adapt to different environments and maintain a positive, forward- thinking attitude keeps her team motivated and moving toward success. With a focus on authenticity and meaningful connections, Salina plays a vital role in ensuring LRC’s message reaches and resonates with those we serve.
Dion Huff, BBA
House Manager
Dion Huff holds a bachelor’s degree in business and brings a strong entrepreneurial spirit to LRC. His focus on operational efficiency and innovative solutions reflects his dedication to LRC’s growth and sustainability. Dion’s contributions ensure that the organization thrives while staying true to its mission.
Percenia Hopson, ADN, RN
RN Supervisor
Percenia Hopson, is an experienced Registered Nurse currently pursuing her Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree. Her advanced nursing expertise and leadership ensure that LRC’s residents receive exceptional medical care. Percenia’s dedication to professional growth and familial connections to LRC’s mission make her a cornerstone of the organization’s success.