Inspiring Brighter and Healthier Lives

Mission / Purpose

At The Transition House, we are on a mission to prepare our residents for a life free of crime, homelessness, and substance abuse. We do this through three core programs that offer career training, case management, housing assistance, and counseling services.
With the primary goal of supporting our residents as they become self-sufficient, we have established a community where the past does not define you. The Transition House supports those looking to close the door on their past and journey into a brighter, healthier life filled with dignity and purpose.

About us

We are dedicated to providing hope and healing to those who are struggling. Our team of dedicated professionals is passionate about helping our residents find brighter and healthier lives. We offer a wide range of services that help our residents overcome their challenges. Our mission is to improve the behavioral health of our residents and help them achieve their goals. We are committed to providing excellent care and making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

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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 residents 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.

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Meet Our Leadership Team

Learn more about our leadership team at Transition House Inc.

Melissa Lucas

Chief Executive Officer

Pronouns: She/Her
TTHI/Inspire Start Date: 10/13/2015
Degree: Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management
Starbucks v. Dunkin: DUNKIN! Duh!

Shaped by the compassionate teachings of my Mom who, despite not having much ourselves, always instilled the value of giving to others. My journey started in nursing, later transitioning to retail management, and finally finding a forever home in behavioral health. Beginning as an executive assistant at TTHi, I climbed the ranks to become our CEO just five years later. Driven not by credentials but by a profound commitment to making a difference, I take immense pride in the transformative work our company does. A native of Massachusetts, my happy place is swimming in the cold embrace of the Atlantic, reflecting a love for nature that extends to the tranquility of the woods. With a Master’s in Business Administration, specializing in Human Resource Management, and over two decades of leadership experience, it’s important to me to lead others with a growth mindset, constantly learning to better serve as a leader for both the company, it’s employees and the. clients we serve. In my experience, the fulfillment of this work far surpasses financial gain, and the light we bring to the world is one of the things I’m most proud of.

Dr. Jennifer R. Dellasanta

Chief Operating Officer

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Massachusetts
Joined Team: April 2011
Licenses/Certification: LADC1 – MA, MCAP-FL, ICAAC- IN, CADAC – MA, FL, IN

Degree: Doctor of Human Services with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Management
Happy Place: At the Ocean, lake or a rive

My journey through life has been a testament to resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of recovery. Since March 1, 2004, I have remained on a path of active recovery from mental health struggles and addiction, a journey that has profoundly shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

At my core is a commitment to kindness and service, values that permeate every facet of my existence. Recovery has been my greatest teacher, instilling within me a profound love for myself and my life, along with the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change things I can. This philosophy guides me daily as I navigate being a human in this world.

With almost 20 years of experience in human services, I bring not only expertise, but compassion, collaboration and empathy to my work. I am dedicated to driving policy change that prioritizes the well-being of all human beings.

Today, I find joy in the simple pleasures of life: my loving family and friends, my fur babies Hagrid and Luna, and a fulfilling career that allows me to make a meaningful impact. I stand tall in my own happiness, confidence, and self-respect, a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the boundless potential for growth and renewal. As I continue my own journey of growth, I remain steadfast in my belief that every individual is worthy of love, support, and the opportunity to thrive.

Dr. Jaymes Gonzales

Chief Clinical Officer

Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Best advice: “Just listen to people” -my father
Degree: PhD in Clinical-Community Psychology with a Rural and Indigenous Emphasis

I am a licensed clinical psychologist passionate about work-life balance, social justice, leadership, and cultural and personal identity development. I have strong beliefs regarding equality. I love kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and camping.

I have played sports most of my life, including developmental club soccer in Germany, and am a huge fan of the Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, Orlando City SC, Lightning, and Kraken. Traveling and experiencing new sights and ways of living that differ from my own bring me joy.

Philosophy, all things space, including astro and quantum physics, and history interest me deeply. I use a variety of clinical approaches, but my favorite is existentialism, which involves exploration of the meaning we each give to our lives and how we make sense of who we are and our place in the world.

Lisandra Gonzalez

Chief Financial Officer

Family is the most important thing in my life and I love being a mother to my son. My favorite things to do are exploring Florida and nearby states camping in my RV, watching great movies, and enjoying familiar as well as exciting new foods. Most people don’t know this about me, but I absolutely love roasted pig and spending too much time on TikTok. I’m a genuine and straightforward person and you can count on me to say what I think. My work is my passion and I am proud of my profession. I value working hard and am dedicated to giving 100% at my job and to all the things I do at work.

Paige Hudson

Director of Quality Services

Preferred Pronoun: She/Her
Highest Degree: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
License: LPC-MHSP
Favorite Quote: “If you are stone, be magnetic; if a plant, be sensitive; if a human, be love.”- Victor Hugo
Happy Place: Flight Park on top of Lookout Mountain, GA
Favorite Coffee Place: Starbucks

Being born and raised in Tennessee has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors, the strength of community, and delicious food. I enjoy camping, hammocking,
and other outdoor activities as well as board games and tabletop role-playing games with friends and family, road trips to new places, musical theatre, movies, and cozying up to a good show with my dog Ellie. I have been with The Transition House/Inspire since 2017 and and I am inspired by the resiliency and strength of our clients to do the hard work and make the difficult changes to become the best version of themselves.

Shaun Peterson

Director of Administration

Pronouns: She/Her
Happy Place: Anywhere my dogs are
Hometown: Auburndale, FL
Favorite Coffee Spot: Dunkin Donuts!

I am a true Florida girl who feels most at home in any and all bodies of water (but the Wekiva River holds a special place in my heart). When I’m land-locked, I prefer to spend my free time hanging out with my animals, tending to my plants or binging a good show. I started volunteering at The Transition House in 2016, while also working full time as a Food and Beverage Manager in the hospitality industry. I immediately fell in love with the organization and knew this is where I wanted to be. So, a year later, I came on full time as the Administrative Assistant and never looked back!

Melinda Rios

Director of Human Resources

Bachelors of Science in HRM
Certifications: SHRM-CP, HRCI-PHR
Experience: 10+ years of Human Resources Management

My wish is to someday look back on a long life and feel that perhaps I added a small grain towards helping others. That is why I have been drawn towards the Non-profit sector. In my spare time I enjoy simple pleasures such as spending as much time as I can with my family and going to the beach.

Deneese Johnson

Marketing Director

Pronouns: She/Her
TTHI/Inspire Start Date: 10/13/2015
Degree: Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management
Starbucks v. Dunkin: DUNKIN! Duh!

Growing up, I spent my time playing in my grandmother’s backyard, which was filled with towering pine trees. My grandmother was a dreamer and a nature lover. Two aspects that I recognize in myself, today. Many years have passed and I still find myself in search of the closest forest, where I can once again stand among towering trees and dream. In my free time, I’m usually painting (or illustrating), cooking, hiking, planning my next road trip (to the Pacific NorthWest) or taking day trips to the springs.

After spending nearly ten years branding and marketing in the hospitality industry, I began to dream about joining a company that had a purpose larger than making a profit. In 2021, I decided to take a leap of faith in search for that company. That was when I was lucky enough to find The Transition House and Inspire. Now, I get to focus my marketing efforts on the company’s purpose, dreams for the future AND sharing our mission and values with those who may need a little support in achieving their own personal dreams.

Dr. Kimberly A. Quigley, MD

Medical Director

Pronouns: She/Her
Joined Team: Augutst 2017
Degree: PhD

I am dedicated to improving the mental health status of vulnerable populations by creating innovative behavioral health delivery models. Throughout my career as a psychiatrist, I have used creative solutions to provide compassionate psychiatric care to underserved populations, balancing
technology with tried-and-true bedside manner. I have a special interest in elite athletes, substance abuse and people living with complex medical and behavioral disabilities. I received my Bachelor’s
Degree in German Language and Literature from Georgetown University, Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee, and completed my Psychiatry residency at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Success Stories

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Brian C.

I am so grateful and thankful to Mr. Tom Griffin and all the staff at The Transition House for creating a new me. I’m more focused and determined than I’ve ever been. People love me again and want to be around me. That’s a great feeling.The main reason I’m writing this letter is that hopefully, it will inspire someone to change their life and realize that life is worth living.

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Larry Moore

With the help of their Clinical Supervisor, Felipe, I was referred to and treated by LMHC Mike Kellogg, a specialist in cognitive therapy, EFT and PTSD. I received support from the treatment team including Mike, Alyssa, Sheba, Nina and many others. Along with the team, the other residents here have helped me deeply as well. It has been the best experience of my life and it has changed me forever.

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Inspire Veteran's Program Resident

I work on recovery every single day because your Staff showed me the way and the result was up to me. I sat in your office once and you told me that this was the best time in my life and that I should enjoy it. I do and the best part is that I am present and appreciative of my life. Thank You, Tom and The Transition House for saving me when I believed there was no hope and no future.

Find Out More About Our Mission

If you require any further information, feel free to contact Us.