Staff

Executive Director - Michelle Jones

Michelle Jones serves as our Executive Director. She has spent many years working in recovery, mental health, and family support. She currently serves on the Board of Directors at the Jefferson House for men. She is also involved in REC (Residents Encounter Christ) in local jails and was secretary for Future Business Leaders of America. She is certified in sports medicine, holistic health and group fitness, certified CAPRC 1, active shooter and bomb threat preparedness training, de escalation training, and Indiana Department Of Corrections training, WELLE certified, along with multiple certifications and trainings for the recovery community.

In her spare time, she loves spending time with family and helping serve others.

As the executive director, Michelle is responsible administration, fundraising, and being the public face of the Cafe. The executive director carries the message of recovery to the external community and leads/nurtures the internal leadership, staff, volunteers and members.

You can reach Michelle at ed@recoverycafemadison.org.

Cafe Manager - Whitney Platt

Whitney Platt is our Cafe Manager. Whitney is originally from Vevay Indiana. She moved to Madison in 2015. She has been a Team Leader at Goodwill for just over a year and has a total of 10 years experience in management. In her spare time she does advertising and promoting through Google for local businesses here in Madison and other cities. She is a person in recovery with the goal to help others get the support and resources they need for an easier transition into their recovery. She is new to the recovery field but is eager to learn, grow and contribute to the community. She is passionate about helping others and bringing together individuals of all walks of life. She believes that empowerment begins through understanding and support.

In her role as Cafe Manager, Whitney has oversight of meal prep, service and clean-up, provides focused peer support, assists in onboarding new community volunteers and interns on internal Café logistics, provide oversight to volunteers and interns, monitor member and guest behaviors to ensure the Café is creating a safe space for all, and ensures guiding principles are being upheld by all in the Café space. She also assists in coordinating and facilitating daily Café activities.

You can reach Whitney at Whitney@recoverycafemadison.org.

Program Coordinator - Jessica Lawless

Jessica Lawless serves as our Program Coordinator.  She served on the Board of Directors of Southeast Indiana Transitional Resources (Jefferson House) for a year before becoming the Office Administrator there.  She is involved in REC (Residents Encounter Christ) in local jails. She has a degree in accounting and has worked in the financial industry for most of her career.  She is currently enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University obtaining her degree in Criminal Justice with the goal of becoming a Forensic Psychologist.  She is also in the process of becoming a Peer Recovery Coach.  Her passion is helping those in recovery obtain the tools and resources to break free from addiction.   

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  

You can reach Jessica at Jessica.Lawless@recoverycafemadison.org. 