Meet the Mentors

Pablo Robles (they/them) is a BIPOC queer community organizer in Durham, an embodiment coach, somatic therapist and a spiritual guide committed to anti-racist work and decolonizing efforts for an equitable society. They have been working as a mentor with RSN for 3 years, and were previously on the board. As the Lead Mentor they will be supporting new mentors on best practices when it comes to working with RSN’s participants and supporting the staff to offer mentors continued resources and tools to improve the service they provide. In addition, Pablo will be expanding on community engagement and outreach to organizations, groups, and schools for informal mentoring and Life Skills groups.  

Pablo Robles (el/elles/ella) es un organizador de la comunidad queer BIPOC en Durham, un life coach, un terapeuta somático y un guía espiritual comprometido con el trabajo antirracista y los esfuerzos descolonizadores para una sociedad equitativa. Ha trabajado como mentor en RSN durante 3 años y anteriormente estuvo en la junta directiva. Como mentor principal, apoyarán a los nuevos mentores sobre las mejores prácticas a la hora de trabajar con los participantes de RSN y apoyarán al personal para ofrecer a los mentores recursos y herramientas continuas para mejorar el servicio que brindan. Además, Pablo ampliará la participación comunitaria y la extensión a organizaciones, grupos y escuelas para tutorías informales y grupos de habilidades para la vida.

Hi, I’m Linda, originally from Brooklyn NY, now residing in Chapel Hill, NC. My past and how I live now is a powerful example that people can change. I became a mentor to be a part of the solution.

My name is Edward. I’m from Brooklyn New York. I became a mentor after seeing so many young guys come through the prison system. It made me want to make a difference in our communities.

I am originally from Maryland and lived in South Florida for seven years before moving to Asheville, NC, where I attended The University of North Carolina at Asheville, studying Neuropsychology. After graduating, I moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to attend graduate school.

I’ve chosen to help others struggling with various forms of Mental Health Disorders, including but not limited to Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and to use my personal life experiences to help benefit others going through similar struggles as my own.

In my free time I enjoy volunteering and spending time outside. I like to hike, bike, and rock climb when I can find the time to get to the mountains.

Hi, I’m Emily! I’m from Chapel Hill. I believe that there is not a “one size fits all” path to recovery and I became a mentor to help youth find solutions that work for them. I want to use my life experiences to help others who are facing challenges similar to those I have faced. The biggest accomplishment I’ve made since being in recovery was earning my college degree! My day job is in a garden center, and in my free time I enjoy running, hiking, skateboarding, reading, playing chess, and spending time with my cats.

I am Shawn Baker of Durham, NC. I have been in recovery for over 10 years and after gaining the tools needed to maintain it, it’s led me to become a mentor. When I’m not running my landscaping business or handling the day-to-day of the family barber shop, I like to ride out on my dirt bike or ATV with family and friends. I often give back to the community by teaching young men the art of landscaping or offering free lawn care/cleanup for the elderly. I like to live life to the fullest. Laughter is the key to my joy!    

My name is Kimberly Shoulars, and I am from Raleigh, NC. I wanted to become a mentor because, as a person in recovery, I love helping others discover their strengths and ability to overcome challenges. I am also a writing facilitator and executive director at Wordplay @ Work, where I lead others in writing for health and well-being. I love reading, writing, and spending time with my family, friends, and nature in my free time.

My name is Jen, I’m currently living in Chapel Hill. I grew up and went to college in CT. I have been in recovery for over 10 years and I wanted to be a mentor because I have learned a lot on my continuous journey of self healing and growth and I hope to share some of that with others. In my free time I like to walk with my dog and partner, watch movies, make art, and cook. I am also a teacher at an after-school program for youth. My dream occupation would be to be a full time artist. One accomplishment I achieved since being in recovery is graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. My best attribute is my critical thinking and tenacity in believing there is always a better way forward than what may be handed to you.

Hi, I’m Joe and I live in Chapel Hill with my wife and kids. I became a mentor so that I could share positivity to the youth in the community. I spend my free time playing video games and hanging out with my family. 

Hi there! My name is Hope Gambill. I am from a small town in the NC mountains but currently live in Chapel Hill. I am so excited to be a mentor and was led to become one because I want to directly connect with and help the youth in my community. I spend my free time with my friends, family, and pets. I also enjoy being outside and trying new things. My full-time job is as a Residential Education Instructor at the North Carolina School of Science and Math where I am able to connect with more youth from NC and lead them in classes like college and career planning and life-skills courses. My dream job would be running a dog sanctuary. My biggest accomplishment is graduating college! I am excited to be working with the RSN and can’t wait to help the youth in my community.

April has been in recovery since 2021. She wanted to become a mentor to show young people the different coping skills she’s learned in life. April is a full-time peer support specialist. She spends her free time exercising and planning goals. She believes her best quality is her perseverance. “I will not relent until my mission is complete”.

My name is Gabriela, originally from Medellin, Colombia, and I am currently living in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Throughout the last couple of years I’ve had a desire to give back to my community, and becoming a mentor is a first step in doing so. I’m also a student at UNC Chapel Hill, and I work for UNC Healthcare. During my free time, in order to maintain a healthy balance in my life, I practice self-care, which for me means spending time with my family and in nature, creative arts, and moving my body. During my recovery journey I’ve come to understand the importance of community power. My progression towards becoming an Art Therapist is only possible through the guidance and support of both my family and my community together. This has inspired me to be that support for others in my community, and to be present for them as we navigate our lives alongside each other.

Mi nombre es Gabriela, nací en la ciudad de Medellín Colombia, allí crecí y me formé hasta hace aproximadamente 10 años donde decidí  trasladarme para nc. Soy trabajadora y estudiante de la universidad de chapel hill. Durante mi proceso como inmigrante eh sobrepasado muchos obstáculos gracias a la ayuda de mi familia,y mi comunidad. Hoy en día entiendo la complejidad del luto migratorio como factor primordial en la salud mental de cualquier inmigrante en nuestra comunidad. Tener la oportunidad de ser mentora me da las herramientas de poder apoyar a jóvenes en situaciones similares a la mía.