Inspiring brighter and healthier lives.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Here to guide and empower you

Our Mission

Inspiring brighter and healthier lives.

Our Vision

Inspire believes individual wellness is the foundation of a healthy community. We are here to guide and empower you through your own personal journey by providing exceptional individualized care. We are a community provider that will always work to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our community.

Our Guiding Principles

Be Compassionate
We believe in seeing others and helping them along the journey of awareness, courage,
confidence and joy.

Empower Others
We believe in giving our clients and employees the support, tools, and information to inspire and build brighter and healthier lives.

Embrace Diversity
We value equality and inclusion, respecting all individuals for their lived experiences and ensuring an environment of acceptance that allows us to continually evolve, united around a common mission.

Foster Innovation
We believe in harnessing our creativity and seeking new ways of doing things for the benefit of our mission.

Promote Collaboration
We believe relationships are foundational to our success and the key to creating a better society, both internally as we work together to drive our mission, and externally as we seek to maximize the impact on our communities.

ABOUT

OUR History

The Transition House was originally founded in 1993 by Dr. Thomas Griffin, after recognizing an unmet need for important recovery resources in the community. Starting with a 10-bed halfway house, Dr. Griffin began providing services for clients with substance use disorders, mental health needs and those who experience chronic homelessness. His goal was to assist Inspire’s clients in becoming productive, contributing and self-sustaining members of the community. The mission of the organization is guided today by his founding principle of Inspiring Brighter and Healthier Lives.

Over time Inspire was awarded numerous contracts in the state of Florida, beginning with the Veterans Administration Grant Per Diem program, which allows us to serve Veterans struggling with homelessness and possible substance use or mental health issues. Inspire was then awarded multiple contracts through the Department of Corrections to provide work release programming throughout Florida. We provide substance use programming, vocational and educational resources in each one of these programs to ensure that our clients are getting the best support and tools to reenter the community successfully. In 2013, The Transition House introduced its first counseling center which expanded these valuable services to children, adolescents and adults in an outpatient setting. 

The Transition House opened its first out of state program in Tennessee in 2016 and we now operate a total of 17 programs in six different states (FL, TN, WA, IN, KS & MA).

We are extremely proud to work with a diverse range of clients including Veterans, children, families, and individuals returning to life after incarceration or homelessness. Since our staff employs a variety of techniques for treatment, we are able to serve the community more effectively through exceptional, individualized services. We provide a holistic approach to achieving a full recovery because we believe individual wellness is the foundation of a healthy community.

OUR FOUNDER

Tom Griffin

Dr. Griffin is the founder of Inspire, Inc. With over 25 years of experience in the addictions field, he has led the agency since its inception in 1993. Dr. Griffin encourages his staff to adhere to all of the new evidence-based treatment protocols that are available in this complex field.

A Letter From Our Founder

When I was first asked to write a brief note about why I started Inspire, Inc., my mind was immediately flooded with countless fond memories. For twenty-seven years I had the honor and privilege to be the Chief Executive Officer of Inspire, Inc. Prior to that time, myself, my son, and a few close friends spent three years planning and building for this dream to become a reality.

I relocated to Osceola County in 1989 from Boston. At that time, I was five years clean and sober. I immediately immersed myself in AA and NA as I had promised my sponsor Walter I would when I departed from Boston.

I remained in close contact with Walter and numerous other AA and NA friends back in Boston and spoke to them often. Many of them over the years have had their Florida winter vacations at my home, and I, my summer vacations at their homes. Often in these conversations, I would express my concerns about the lack of services and opportunities for people in recovery in Florida.

When I relocated, I found both AA/NA programs and meetings much different than what I was familiar with back up North. I had continued to maintain close contact with my sponsor in Boston. One phone call, I was complaining about the lack of services here for recovering people, the differences in the meetings, the scarcity of meetings, as well as my frustrations.

Walter stated “If you don’t like something, then fix it. By the way, it’s time for you to stop sniveling about it.”

In my mind, I kept returning to that conversation and asking myself, “What can I do to make things better here?”

As we all know, there are many sayings and slogans used in AA and NA. When I was new in the program, I hated the slogans and then somehow that also gradually changed. One has stuck with me over the years: “If you want to keep it, you have to give it away.”

The reasons why I started Inspire, Inc. are pretty simple and matter of fact. My deepest desire was to establish a program where the clients developed the strong bonds and the sense of commitment to their fellow addict and alcoholic that I was familiar with in Boston.

For any client who ever has walked through the doors of Inspire, Inc. and to anyone who will walk through them in the future, they owe a debt of gratitude to one great man: Walter. He gave me the inspiration, the self-confidence, the permission to go ahead and start Inspire, Inc.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Melissa Lucas

Melissa Lucas joined The Transition House Inc. in 2015 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer for all seventeen of The Transition House and Inspire Counseling & Support Center’s entities. She leads the team by leveraging her broad and comprehensive knowledge of all matters related to the business and organization, as well as the vision to steer its course into the future. Before being named CEO in April 2020, Melissa was the Chief Human Resources Officer and was responsible for all aspects of human resource management. She led The Transition House through the challenging process of separation from a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) while supporting the rapidly growing business. Her career has included over 15 years in high-level Operations and HR Management positions and has led her to extensive success in linking people strategies to strategic business planning. Melissa has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Human Resource Management and holds professional certifications through SHRM and HRCI. She is a member of numerous boards across the substance abuse, mental health, and corrections fields. Outside of work, Melissa is an animal lover who enjoys outdoor adventures such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and hiking trails. Having grown up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, you may also find her swimming in the cold Atlantic Ocean.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Jennifer R. Dellasanta, LADC-I, MCAP, ICADC

Jennifer began her career in Behavioral Health in 2006 with the Linda Fay Griffin House in
Worcester, MA she was a Program Director of the residential women’s facility for substance use
and mental health, a fee for service Clinician, and an advocate for recovery treatment in
Massachusetts.
‍
In 2011, she moved to Florida and joined Inspire, Inc. team as a substance abuse
counselor. Shortly thereafter she was promoted to Clinical Supervisor and in 2013, she was
promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
‍
Jennifer has since moved back to her home state of Massachusetts and continues to serve as the
Chief Operating Officer of all six Inspire corporations (FL, WA, TN, IN, KS & MA)
Jennifer has her Master’s Degree in Human Services and is currently completing her Doctoral
Program in Human Services with a specialization in Organizational Leadership.
‍
“Inspire has seen such incredible transformation in my time being with the company, I am
incredibly grateful to be part of a team that empowers and supports each other”

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Dr. Jaymes Gonzales

DIRECTOR OF WORK RELEASE CENTERS

Jeffrey Wainwright

Mr. Wainwright began his corrections career in 1980. Wainwright advanced through all security positions retiring as Warden of the Central Florida Reception Center. His experience spans Reception Centers, Youthful Offender, Close Management Male and Female, death row and several major correctional institutions throughout the State of Florida. Mr. Wainwright joined Inspire, Inc. in January 2014.

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY SERVICES

Paige Hudson, LPC-MHSP

Paige Hudson is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider designation living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Richmont Graduate University in 2016. She is currently a PhD candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University and expects to complete her program by Spring of 2022. She joined The Transition House Family in 2017 as a Clinician before becoming the Director of Programs for Tennessee in 2018. Paige currently serves as the Director of Quality Services for both the Transition House and Inspire Counseling & Support Center. She is passionate about supporting the wonderful work of our non- profit with quality data showing how the organization works to inspire brighter and healthier tomorrows. She values creativity and ingenuity in finding new ways to best support her teammates, peers, and clients. Paige engages in a person-centered and psychodynamic approach. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is the catalyst for healing and that experiences in our past shape how we experience life in the present.

Paige is a proud member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, National Council on Behavioral Health, and Psi Chi Psychological Honor Society. She serves on the Ambassador Network for the National Council on Behavioral Health, engaging in advocacy opportunities on the local, state, and federal levels.

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION

Shaun Peterson

Shaun Peterson came on board in 2017 as an Executive Administrative Assistant for Inspire, Inc. Shaun Peterson has 5 years of management experience and has a passion for working in the health and human services industry. Shaun prides herself on her organizational skills and building strong processes that allows the administrative team at Inspire, Inc. be effective and efficient.

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Melinda Rios, PHR, SHRM-CP

Melinda Rios holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration Human Resources Management as well as Society for Human Resource Management and Professional in Human Resources® certifications. Over the past 10 years, Ms. Rios has held HR roles for as many as 1,000 employees in various types of industries such as home health, insurance brokerage, manufacturing, construction and non-profit. She joins The Transition House, Inc and Inspire Counseling & Support Center with experience in several areas of HR, including employee relations management, leading internship programs, restructuring organizations and strategic planning, among others.

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Lisandra Gonzalez

Lisandra Gonzalez is the Financial Controller for Inspire. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Everett University and holds professional industry certifications from the Construction Financial Management Association. She has over twelve years of experience in the behavioral health, manufacturing, distribution, construction, engineering, education, and hotel industries. She finds her position highly rewarding as it combines her love of accounting and analytical and organizational expertise with her passionate commitment to support the progress of the clients. Her personal interests are enjoying outdoor activities with her family, volunteering at her church and at The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Deneese Johnson

Deneese Johnson is the Director of Marketing for both The Transition House, Inc. and Inspire Counseling & Support Center. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of Central Florida where she specialized in painting and graphic design. She has over ten years of experience digital marketing and brand creation in the hospitality and service industry, where she learned the importance of building positive relationships with clients. She joined The Transition House team in 2021, after deciding to step away from the for-profit sector, in order to focus her marketing efforts towards a bigger purpose.  Deneese’s love for marketing comes from her passion for creativity, whether it be designing flyers or creating new marketing campaigns. In her free time, Deneese loves to paint, travel and take road trips throughout the Pacific North West.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Kimberly A. Quigley, MD

Dr. Kimberly Quigley graduated from Webb School of Knoxville in 1993. She moved on to Georgetown University, earning a BSLA in German Language and Linguistics. She completed work at the Harvard University Health Careers Program, at which time she decided to pursue medicine. After graduating from medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 2001, Dr. Quigley completed an internship in Pediatrics, followed by a residency in Psychiatry. She holds board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Quigley has provided medical leadership for outpatient mental health settings, hospital systems and recovery programs. Dr. Quigley has over 15 years of experience in partnering with children, adolescents, adults, mature adults and their families in deciding if and how psychotropic medication can be used to help them attain their personal goals for wellness and wholeness in their lives. In her spare time, Dr. Quigley is the chess coach at the Episcopal School of Knoxville. She is a strong community advocate for developing chess programs across the East Tennessee area for children of all backgrounds. She is active at Emerald Youth Sports as a soccer coach and volunteer.