About Us.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide comprehensive support and guidance to individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system, empowering them to forge a path of spiritual transformation, mental well-being, and sustained substance use recovery.
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Our Vision
Our organization envisions a world where every individual exiting the criminal justice system experiences a transformation journey of spiritual growth, mental health wellness, and sustained substance use and mental health recovery.
Meet our Founders and Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
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Our entire team encompasses unique backgrounds and expertise. We are enriched by our lived experiences, ministry volunteers and collaboration with local churches and nonprofits. Together, we aim to make a positive impact in our community through outreach and shared efforts. ​
Founder / Executive Director / IRACS Supervisor Amy A. Brinkley is a nationally recognized leader in peer recovery and reentry support services, with over a decade of experience advancing recovery-oriented systems of care. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Paul’s Plan Ministries, a Certified Recovery Community Organization (RCO) in Indiana that provides peer-led, faith-inclusive support to individuals reentering the community from carceral settings. Under her leadership, Paul’s Plan Ministries is spearheading a comprehensive peer support wraparound program across the sequential intercepts within the Tippecanoe County Jail in Indiana. Amy continues to serve as a recovery consultant to NASMHPD, providing technical assistance to state mental health authorities and supporting the development of statewide peer recovery infrastructure across the country. Previously, she served as the Director of Recovery Support Services for the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, where she led the expansion of peer support funding, infrastructure, and innovations including Recovery Cafés, Regional Recovery Hubs, and forensic peer initiatives. Amy is a person with lived experience in both mental health and substance use recovery, as well as the criminal justice system. Her work is deeply informed by personal loss—having lost three brothers to suicide and her mother to an overdose—and by her own long-term recovery. Her voice remains grounded in the values of wellness, healing, and the transformative power of lived experience.
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Alyssa Waters Co-Founder / Board President Initiated jail ministry in 2015 and, as an essential part of her recovery journey, co-founded Paul's Plan Ministry.
Felisha Thise Board Secretary
Lori Hawk Board Treasurer I was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. I graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield Missouri. I worked in inner city ministry in Detroit, Michigan and later moved to New Jersey and worked in inner city Newark as a book keeper in a preschool. I later got my first job in a CPA firm in New York City and since then I worked in three other CPA firms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I went back to school and received a Masters Degree in forensic accounting. I moved to West Lafayette to be with family where I met Amy Brinkley. I now work the financial end of Paul’s Plan ministries. I love what Amy is attempting to do and happy to serve in this capacity.
Heather Richards Board Member Bio coming soon!
Cherrie Buckley Board Member Bio coming soon!
New board member added soon
Tami Hurd Board Member Bio coming soon!
New board member added soon
Meet our Tippecanoe IRACS Team
Lived Experience. Compassionate. State Certified.
Rosa Orrantia - Forensic Peer I use my lived experience and professional training to support individuals navigating the criminal justice system and substance use recovery. Drawing from my own journey of resilience and transformation, I am deeply committed to meeting people where they are and walking alongside them as they rebuild their lives. I believe in the power of second chances and use my story to empower others to reclaim theirs.
Danny Kouns - Forensic Peer I proudly serve on the board of directors for the Surf Center, drawing on over 30 years of recovery to inspire and support others on their journey.
Jake Mahlke - Reentry Peer I've been working in the community for a little over two years helping people further their goals on their Recovery journey. I've grown up around addiction and dysfunction my whole life as well as finding my own path to recovery.
Tara Stovall - Judicial Peer After overcoming a personal battle with substance use disorder that led to the loss of everything, including custody of my child, I found recovery, healing, and purpose. Today, I’m dedicated to helping others facing similar struggles. My journey fuels my passion to serve, support, and uplift those seeking a second chance at life.
Brianna Casanova - Community Peer I grew up in a family impacted by addiction, but even as a child, I knew I wanted a different life. I chose to break that cycle and begin my own journey of recovery. Today, I use my experience to advocate for those still struggling, showing that healing is possible and that change can begin with just one decision.
Alvina LaForge - Resource Navigator Drawing from my own lived experience and long-term recovery, I am passionate about helping others navigate their recovery journeys. I remain committed to maintaining my recovery while empowering others to do the same.
Chris Sholty - Engagement Coordinator I have been in the recovery community as a recovering alcoholic for several years and saw firsthand the difficulties that people face entering and exiting the criminal justice system. I have witnessed the transformative power of Jesus Christ through building a community for those without friends/family. I am very excited to start leading MATRIX and WRAP groups to the women of Tippecanoe County to build community within the prison walls.
Mike Rice - Forensic Peer After my release from jail, I was fortunate to find a community that accepted me and supported me, helping me to avoid re-offending. I want to extend that same support and sense of community to others.
Sheady Kyle - Veteran Peer Founder of Conquering Mountains Together, I use my lived experience to enhance other nonprofit organizations and my community.
About You.
Paul's Plan Ministries is genuinely interested in your thoughts on how we can improve services in Tippecanoe County. Please take a moment to fill out this questionnaire which will be used anonymously to improve services in our community.
We are committed to serving you with the upmost respect and dignity. If you feel there is something that our team is lacking or not providing for you adequately, please utilize this grievance form.
Paul's Plan Ministries nonprofit holds its staff and board to high service standards. If you would like more information about our nonprofit values which guide our practice, please use this link.
We are committed to listening to you, assisting you and aim to provide you with valuable information.
My story is a story of man who against all odds found recovery not just from severe addiction and serious mental illness, but I'm recovering from not having purpose. I was completely lost but through compassion and love from others and lots of changes I have been recovering for 5 years now. I am incredibly grateful to Amy Brinkley and Paul's Plan Ministries for their support of me and my community.
Nick Cunningham
Paul's Plan Ministries brought me into the community through connection and development of Gods purpose over my life, For this I am forever grateful as I journey to give back with time.
David Scott
When I left the military behind me due to my trauma, I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and to help others heal. When I found out about Paul's Plan, I knew this was the place for me to make an impact on my community while still serving Veterans.
Sheady Kyle