Blog Archives

Chris Thompson is Green Hill’s Facility Coordinator. He is currently pursuing a degree, where he is majoring in electrical systems technology. His professional career includes working with general contractors, electrical contractors, and realtors. Ultimately, that is where his understanding and experience for property maintenance was developed.

Christopher has spent much time in the field of carpentry, learning from his father at a young age, and eventually going on to work for himself before the pandemic. Currently he is enrolled in the Electrical and Applied Engineering program at Wake Tech. This fall will mark the 2nd semester on his journey to becoming a well-rounded tradesman.

​​Christopher hopes to bring value to the operations of the Advaita Collective and Green Hill by ensuring facilities are optimal for clients and team members to thrive. He looks forward to bringing the offices and residences to the best version of presentation possible, allowing clients and employees alike to feel at home. Chris stated “I’d like to help maintain an environment that will foster and promote healing. There’s no place like home.”

Megan King is the Admissions Coordinator at Green Hill. As Admissions Coordinator, Megan spends a lot of her time speaking with the guardians of potential clients or the clients themselves. Along with working in the Admissions department, Megan coordinates with the Clinical team to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients.

Megan was born in Maryland but has spent half her life in Garner, North Carolina, where she first discovered her passion for both writing and helping others. A 2019 graduate from Meredith College, Megan received Bachelor’s degrees in both Communications as well as International Studies. During her final year at Meredith, Megan was the communications intern at a local Chamber of Commerce, where she performed duties including Social Media management, administrative assistance and event planning. Since graduation, she has worked full-time at a mission-driven women’s boutique.

In addition to immersing herself in the clinical field at Green Hill, Megan is currently working toward joining the Masters in Social Work program at George Mason University, where, upon completion, she hopes to practice as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Megan cares deeply about social justice issues, believes that proper mental healthcare should be accessible to everyone and fights to be a part of the solution to this deeply rooted problem of inaccessibility.

If you can’t find Megan, she has likely got her nose stuck in a sappy rom-com novel, completely lost in a true-crime podcast, or sipping coffee watching New Girl for the 9th time. She loves to write and tap into her creative side in any way possible. A secret dream of hers is to participate in an improv-group and/or have a stand-up comedy act. People describe her as empathetic, passionate, and driven.

Education

Meredith College (Raleigh, NC) — B.A.

Troy Skisak is a Program Facilitator at Green Hill Recovery. He works directly with clients by ensuring transportation to meetings, distributing necessary medications, and checking in on them throughout their recovery journey. Troy is currently a senior at NC State University majoring in mechanical engineering.

Troy previously spent two years at Texas State University. “I didn’t gain much except for some college experience and unfortunately, a heroin addiction,” Troy explains, “This eventually led me to Green Hill, initially as a client, where I retained the record for the longest running residential client. While at Green Hill I was able to gain the skills necessary to stay sober and put my life back on track. With tremendous support from staff, I put my life together, later working my way through Wake Tech Community College and into the NC State mechanical engineering program which I am very proud of.” Troy’s return to his collegiate pursuits brings him immense joy.

Regarding his work as a Program Facilitator, Troy uses his own experience to deeply connect with the clients. “Being a former client gives me a unique perspective and ability to connect with the current clients,” Troy explains, “I understand a lot of what they’re going through and am able to share with them what I used to get through these issues while I was a client here. I am also able to somewhat influence how the program looks by explaining what I think were the most helpful parts of the program while I was in it.”

“Including my time as a client, I’ve actually been a part of Green Hill longer than anyone here except for Tripp,” Troy adds. Although Green Hill is a huge part of his life, he has many hobbies and interests that he honed in on and developed during his time as a client. “I’ve got a dog named Harley who is my baby girl and whom I love more than anything. I’m a pretty big baseball fan and am very interested in lots of complex science and physics which govern the way the universe works.”

Education

NC State University (Raleigh, NC) — B.S. (2023)

Matt Ross is a Program Facilitator at Green Hill. He works directly with clients by holding them accountable, developing meaningful connections with them, and uplifting them to make healthy decisions.

Matt has B.A. from Bates College, along with nearly 2 years of experience working as a Mental Health Technician at Holly Hill Hospital here in Raleigh. At Holly Hill, he served in a direct care capacity with young adults and adolescents. While working as a Program Facilitator, Matt is also pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of New England Online with the plan to become a psychotherapist or clinician.

Matt brings a wealth of experience in managing patients with mental health disorders as well as addiction problems from the time that he spent at Holly Hill Hospital. “From a standpoint of making an impact on the community, I went through the Green Hill program myself in 2020,” Matt explains, “so I can relate to and connect with the existing/future client base quite well. Also, I can provide constructive feedback to clients if they ask for it to make them successful in whatever area they are trying to work on. Perhaps the last way I see myself making an impact on the client community is to do my best to lead by example. For example, I do this now by encouraging clients to go to recovery meetings and taking them myself. Also, although it is something that I am still trying to build out and expand, I can help clients build their recovery networks here in the triangle since I’ve lived here since early 2020.”

Matt currently resides here in Raleigh. Despite not having participated in swimming in college, he is an avid swimmer and states “It is truly my biggest passion outside of work and school. It is something I do for an hour to two hours almost every day of the week.” Matt was born in NYC and lived just outside NYC for most of his life. Matt and his brother are first generation Americans, as both of his parents were born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada. When Matt isn’t working or in school, you might find him watching NHL hockey, reading, or enjoying EDM music.

Education:

Bates College (Lewiston, Maine) — B.A.

Josh Olesiuk serves as the Outpatient Coordinator at Green Hill. As an Alumni of Healing Transitions, a 501(c)3 nonprofit recovery facility in Raleigh, he has first-hand experience in recovery that is so valuable when working with clients. Outside of his role at Green Hill, he is a very active and engaged member of the Raleigh AA community. Josh holds a BA in Psychology from The State University of New York at Fredonia

A firm believer in the 12 Steps, Josh ties traditional recovery principles to more modern approaches to connect with the young men at Green Hill. When talking to Josh you can hear his passion for recovery loud and clear. “I believe in meeting people where they’re at and deeply loving them until they learn to love themselves,” Josh explains “I truly feel you can have a fun life in sobriety.”

Understanding everyone has different life experiences and aspirations, Josh takes the time to get to know the clients at Green Hill personally so he can empower and support them more effectively. “My main desire is to help others find their own path to success in recovery, even if that looks different from mine.”

Education:

The State University of New York (Fredonia, NY) — B.A.

James Wood-Yesline is a Program Facilitator at Green Hill Recovery. James is on his sobriety journey and brings first-hand experience and knowledge to the table. In his role as program facilitator, James helps support clients by helping them create and adhere to stable routines. He also helps them build positive habits concerning physical, mental, and spiritual health.

“Alcoholism kept me from engaging in many of my hopes and aspirations, but now, I know I can pursue anything”, James states. James originally found his passion for helping others when he worked with kids at the YMCA teaching swimming. Supporting others and they persevered through adversity and grew from it left him with a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Speaking of his role at Green Hill, James states “My mission is to positively affect the clients of Green Hill by showing them that recovery is possible for anyone, and that you can have fun along the way. I know I can play an integral role in improving outcomes for the young men we serve, giving them an opportunity to find long term, stable recovery.”

Peter Blankenstein is an Outreach Representative at Green Hill. Peter is a husband, a stepfather, a musician, and the owner of two great danes. He has achieved long term sobriety for over a decade. After politely being asked to leave the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1997, Peter decided to go back to finish up his degree 25 years later. In the fall of 2024, he will receive his Bachelor of Science in Integrated Professional Studies.

While maintaining a successful career as a sales director for a media company in New York City, Peter decided to chase his passion during his free time, which is helping others to stay sober on a daily basis. Peter joined Green Hill as a Case Manager, working with our clients as a mentor. Peter brings not only his extensive knowledge of the 12 steps of recovery, but also the life experience to model for our clients how to practice these principles in the day-to-day of their personal lives. He is extremely personable, and connected deeply with our clients and our team through his positive attitude. Peter realized that he could use his skillset as a sales director to have an even greater impact on our community by transitioning from a Case Manager to an Outreach Representative. Peter now networks with community partners and the local recovery community to connect individuals with recovery resources.

Peter seeks to use his personal recovery journey to bring positive energy and hope to our clients. Peter is very much a problem, solution, action, type of guy. He often says, ‘If you can’t find a solution to your problem – it’s not a problem, it’s something you have to accept’.

Outside of his professional commitments, Peter enjoys spending time with his family. You’ll find him cheering on his stepdaughter at her softball games, encouraging his wife as the head coach, jamming with his other step-daughter in their home studio, and most importantly, savoring Sunday night family dinner.

Education:

University of North Carolina (Greensboro, NC) Bachelor in Science (2024)

Jake Engebretsen is a Program Facilitator at Green Hill. Jake was a High School Administrator, Teacher, and Coach for nearly a decade at private schools around the state of North Carolina. Jake holds a B.S. in Sports Management from Guilford College, and also played college basketball for 4 years.

Jake is an alumni of Healing Transitions, a 501(c)3 nonprofit recovery facility in Raleigh where he was a Peer Mentor. Jake completed the program at Healing Transitions in 2023. Combining his personal recovery and teaching experience gives him a very unique outlook into how to help people, especially young men looking to change their lives for the better.

Jake hopes to combine his experience of being a peer mentor, teacher, and coach and apply the combined experiences to working with clients at Green Hill. Through his personal experiences in recovery, Jake relates to clients on a meaningful level and builds rapport with them. He also taps into the skills he learned as a teacher, all of which combine into a unique perspective and skillset that he brings to our team.

Education:

Guilford College (Greensboro, NC)— B.S. in Sports Management