Staff | Wilmington NC Substance Abuse Recovery Home

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Launch Pad Vision Statement: Promote and foster an environment of recovery, so our members can be empowered to fall in love with recovery and successfully participate in society.

Wayne Ray, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

Our Founder

We at Launch Pad are experienced and knowledgeable about Substance Use Disorders, better known as Addiction. More importantly, we are experienced with the treatment and recovery from addiction. We foster an environment that encourages long-term recovery. As a result, our peer support staff models and promotes an engaged and vigilant recovery for our members. We are constantly learning and teaching best practices, which have been found effective for individual recovery in our Recovery Community Organization. (RCO). We believe the best way for an individual to engage and sustain recovery is a holistic approach that involves psychological, biological, sociological and spiritual components. We encourage vocational and educational pursuits for our members. Our goal is to support our individual members with an environment conducive to long-term recovery.

Erica Forsythe, BA, MS, TCTSY-F, RYT

Executive Director

“Working through the various roles at Launch Pad, starting in 2016, as the Admission Coordinator, Operations Director (2017), Tech Support & Event Leader (2020), and Executive Liaison (2021), prepared me to enter the role as Launch Pad Director at the close of 2021. With my background working with injured Marines for the Department of Defense, addiction work overseas with the Red Cross, and extensive background in trauma focused yoga, our population is dear to my heart, as an Alumni of Launch Pad myself. We believe that everyone suffering from Substance Abuse Disorder can find their hope shot & live a life beyond their wildest dreams. It starts with accountability, structure, and an environment built upon self-empowerment and social engagement clean & sober. We are proud of our community and work 24/7 to ensure each member gets the care they need.”

Carmen Sox

Administrative Assistant

“I have been part of the launch pad family for over two years. Launch Pad has saved my life along with many others, which I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand. When I came to Launch Pad, I just knew I was not one of y’all! I thought I was different and did not belong here. Little did I know, I quickly fit right in. It took a little bit of acceptance, but I knew I had to do everything that was suggested of me. I came in broken. I needed the structure Launch Pad provides. Similar story, I lost everything including my home, kids, car, job and all the money I had. I started working a program, took suggestions, and became willing… things started happening for me. Little by little, I got a car, a job, and money in my pocket. I even got primary custody of my kids back! I owe so much to Launch Pad. It’s a debt I’ll never be able to repay. I absolutely take being a Launch Pad alumni and part of the family as an honor and privilege.”

Aaron Brown

Men’s Peer Support

“I have been a part of the Launch Pad family for a few years now, and in that time, I have been able to grow a tremendous amount. When I first arrived, I was beaten and broken from a life filled with shame, guilt, and trauma. I could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, in my time here at Launch Pad, I have been able to find that light again and accomplish a number of things. I have been able to rebuild relationships with my family, something I was not sure would ever happen. Find a love for helping others; through my role in the house and with working in an oncology center. I have recently overcome my fear of returning to school and started at UNCW working on a B.S. in Public Health. And most importantly, I have learned to love myself again. I attribute a large portion of my success to the love and support I have been shown while being a part of the Launch Pad family.”

Key Staff Members

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