Ashley Payne is not so much changing lives as she is helping people step into who they were created to be. She’s helping people achieve a brighter future.
“I try to give people the ability to see themselves as who they really are,” she said. “That’s my passion. I’m a cheerleader of people. I don’t have all the answers, but no one is going to encourage and cheer harder.”
As Program Director of CORE (Creating Opportunities for Recovery Employment), she’s in the right role.
An issue as broad as addiction recovery requires a multitude of people, programs, and resources to have success. CORE, a grant-funded program, has several partners. MHN Foundations helped in getting the initial funding, and CORE also works closely with PROACT (Provider Response Organization for Addiction Care Treatment) and Project Hope, which provides recovery resources for women and children, both under MHNF’s umbrella of support. CORE has a couple of specialists that work in the PROACT facility. “We’re on the same team,” she said.
Payne, a mother of two boys, is an avid learner with a degree in English and secondary education, a master’s in sociology and criminal justice, and a master’s in business administration. Those merge and help her have a unique framework for bridging gaps in social support. Payne said the goal is to provide full wraparound services for those in recovery through a collaborative effort. Other key partners include Jobhub 180, Jobs and Hope West Virginia, Unlimited Future, and Recovery Point. CORE is the boots on the ground for both individuals and employers who have specific needs. Payne is the engine driving those connections.
“It’s rewarding,” she said. “You hear so many addiction stories, and they’re weighty stories. You know people aren’t just numbers going through a warehouse. They come with a lifetime’s worth of barriers, and each one of them deserves customized care. CORE kind of fits on the happier end. We’re not here to rehash their mistakes and talk about where they’ve messed up. I want to help people move their life in a positive direction. I want to help them see the beauty in themselves and the skills they have. It does get heavy some days, but it’s also very rewarding.”
Payne said helping people with resumes, job training, and reminding them of their skills when they don’t think they have any are some of her favorite wins. She recalled a story of a man who was able to use his skills at auto body repair to gain employment, and business is going well. She said seeing people use their skills is worth celebrating. “We help people see that they have value,” she said. “We help them gain confidence, build community, and be self-sufficient.”
Payne, who credits her staff and community for making hard days manageable, said on paper 145 lives and counting have been changed through the collaboration with MHN Foundation. Since operationalizing in 2019, CORE has assisted over 725 individuals in obtaining employment. She said giving people a chance to make the choices they want is important.
“I really do see the best in folks,” she said. “Every story matters.”
