We’d like to welcome Angela Carrillo to the Visions Family as our Los Angeles Outreach Coordinator. Angela brings over five years of clinical outreach experience with her, having successfully extended her reach to the fields of substance abuse, eating disorders and mental health within the treatment industry. She is an active member of the Women’s Association for Addiction Treatment (WAAT) and the Los Angeles International Association of Eating Disorders (IAEDP LA). We feel fortunate to have someone so passionate and dedicated to recovery as part of our treatment family. She wears her passion for recovery on her sleeve, peppered in joy and enthusiasm for life.
Angela was in the US Army for four years, stationed in West Germany. She joined with the desire to change her life, which ended up being part of her path to recovery. She went on to win an award for soldier of the year in her division and was awarded an army commendation medal. Angela eventually came back to the States where she worked as a paralegal for several years. We are grateful she evolved into the recovery maven she is!
As Visions’ Los Angeles Outreach Coordinator, you will see her at local industry events; she will represent Visions’ continuum of care in Brentwood and Santa Monica. Please contact her to tour our Adolescent Extended Care—NeXT, Outpatient Counseling Center, Day School, or Young Adult—LAUNCH programs.
When asked why she chose to work for Visions, Angela said,
“The work that Visions does and the way they do it supports everything I believe about recovery. Everybody gets to be exactly who they are, from the clients to the staff. Structure without conformity enhances an individual’s path in recovery. When authenticity in an individual is supported, creativity and individuation occurs which is empowering for clients and staff.”
She’s definitely our kind of lady. Welcome to the VTeam, Angela! We are thrilled to have you here.
JuliAnn Crommelin truly understands the treatment process. As a Visions alumni, she is a shining example of what is possible in recovery. For the last 6 years, JuliAnn has dedicated her life to helping others. She is kind, compassionate, and able to meet the clients and their families on a deeply empathetic level. It’s a pleasure to witness her growth. JuliAnn began working for Visions as a program aide but she quickly became a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor, and eventually took on the role of Outreach Coordinator on the Marketing team. Quite honestly, JuliAnn is the perfect person to share with others the benefits and value of the Visions program! As you can see, there is no shortage of kind words from the staff, either:
“I was told that in order to represent something well you have to believe in it with your entire being. JuliAnn is just that…an image of passion and enthusiasm that lives and breathes the essence of Visions. It has been an honor working side by side with her, sharing the common mission of reaching out to support teens & families. If you have not had the chance to meet JuliAnn, please take a moment to watch this: Visions Teen Interview with JuliAnn. Kindly, Christina Howard”
“JuliAnn is the most positive person I’ve ever met. Seriously.” – Joseph Rogers
“Incredibly poised, insightful, and wise beyond her years! She is an amazing role model.” Heather Colligan
It’s been a pleasure watching JuliAnn’s progression expand from client to program aide to counselor and eventually to alumni coordinator and marketing. JuliAnn has continued to grow into an amazing part of the Visions team. We often brag to tours about her because she is truly an example of someone who works hard and continues to put one foot in front of the other and gets results! We can always count on her to be a consistent person for the clients at Visions to talk to. She is just the right touch of tough love and compassion, always keeping the client’s best interests at heart. We are grateful for her work ethic and loyalty. She is truly a leader and we cannot wait to see what she can accomplish next! – Amanda and Chris Shumow
Of course, JuliAnn had to answer a few questions from us as well. As you can see, her passion for what she does is everywhere:
1. What is your greatest accomplishment thus far?
My greatest accomplishment thus far is being a person that my family is proud of. My little sister tells me all the time how she looks up to me and how I am a guiding role in her life. It continually baffles me because for so long I was a bad influence on her and probably not someone she would ever want to be like and now she calls and asks me for advice. That is something I never expected to happen.
2. Your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Elf with Will Ferrell. Or probably any other comedy he is in.
3. If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
If I could do anything in the world I would want to open an animal sanctuary for abused or neglected animals that paired each animal with an abused or neglected kid, so the animal and kid can do the healing work together.
4. Would you rather sail the sea or climb to the top of Mount Everest?
I would rather sail the sea, even though I get sea sick.
5. Cake or pie?
Anything chocolate….or red velvet.
6. What’s your favorite book and why?
The Hunger Games series and the Harry Potter series, they are both so captivating and have every element you could want in a book: romance, mystery, violence, etc.
7. Katniss or Hermione?
Katniss, I find her commitment to her anger amusing.
8. What would you say to your teenage self if you knew what you knew now?
I would tell my teenage self to breathe, chill out, get involved in yoga, horseback ride while you still can and write a gratitude list. Your life is not as hard as you think it is.
9. What inspires you?
I am inspired by anyone that does good in the world. There is a lot of hurt, sadness, homelessness and greed but there are also a lot of good-hearted people who are willing to help and make things better.
10. Why do you choose to work for Visions?
I initially chose to work for Visions because I wanted to help other teens who are as lost and confused as I was. I continue to work at Visions because I know that by doing this I am helping save lives and families. Every kid that is helped here can go out and touch that many more lives. My hope is that we are all creating a ripple effect of love and healing that will continue to spread.
From the beginning, John Lieberman has been an integral part of the fabric that makes up Visions. In 2002, he came to us as a consultant, recruiting, doing outreach, and helping develop the initial building blocks which make Visions what it is now. After two years, John came on full-time and he’s never left. It’s hard to describe exactly what John does, because in truth, he does so much–if you were to ask him, he would divert you elsewhere! The fact is, he is the first supportive face a desperate parent sees when they reach out for help. John is the initial guiding light that allows a scared, hopeless family to walk through one of the hardest periods in their lives: deciding to send their child to treatment and everything that entails. John does this with respect, compassion, and kindness; he is the one that makes sure the hand of Visions is always there for families, regardless of what stage of treatment they’re in.
But, the staff’s accolades really say it all:
Joseph Rogers, our Educational Director at our Outpatient Day School said, “John is a consistent person I turn to whenever someone comes to me with a family member or friend in crises. I can always count on his ability to calmly help me find a solid resource when people need it most. I feel John would be the kind of person I would most want with me when absolutely everything fell apart.
Christina Howard, our Director of Business Development had this to say: “Three words that best describe John Lieberman: Loyal, Dedicated and Passionate. John’s drive to provide exemplary care for each and every family at Visions continually pushes the growth and depth of our clinical services. His love for socks also make him extremely fashionable.”
Chris and Amanda Shumow placed their trust in John ten years ago. Their gratitude is endless: “What can I say about a man who has literally saved thousands of lives. John has been an amazing partner, example of recovery and most of all one of our best friends. John’s dedication is unparalleled. Day or night, he is available to the staff and families at Visions. He cares about each and every person that touches his life and tries to get them the help they need with us or somewhere else. With over 20 years in the business of mental health and substance abuse, John has the experience and knowledge to make a difference. To ask John about his job, he would say that he does community outreach, marketing, intake, crisis management, human resources, is a group home administrator….and may even plunge the toilet when necessary ;). John sets the example of what it means to be humble and gracious no matter what he takes on. Visions would not have the reputation it has without John Lieberman.
Hear what John had to say when we threw some wacky questions his way!
1. If Chewbacca from Star Wars was your Best Friend where would you meet him for lunch this weekend?
I would meet Chewbacca at Animal restaurant.
2. Cats or Dogs?
Dogs
3. “Early Bird Gets the Worm” or “Slow and Steady Wins the Race”?
The slow ones get eaten first.
4. If you won the Miss America pageant what would you wish for?
World peace.
5. What was the last song you were listening to?
Mumford and Sons “Little Lion Man”
6. How do you like your steak?
Rare
7. Favorite memory with your granddaughter?
8. Coffee or Tea?
COFFEE
9. What was your best Halloween costume?
Dressed up like a pimp with the Shumows
10. What does Visions mean to you?
Visions is what dreams are made of! Almost from the day I got sober I wanted to be able to give back the love, fun and acceptance that was shown to me. The treatment center I went through made me feel safe. Visions is a safe place for families and their kids.
