We’ve been there! The Haven at College team understands the struggles of college students, especially in these uncertain times. Call us today and we’ll help you find the best program to fit your needs.
OUR CO-FOUNDERS
Sharon Weber and Holly Sherman
Co-Founders
Haven Co-Founders Holly Sherman and Sharon Weber got sober together in 2005 at a West LA Sober Living where they forged both a lifelong friendship and a shared dedication to helping others find recovery. As a result of their experience working with younger residents in the sober living community, they discovered their industry niche and in 2012, founded The Haven at College, in collaboration with University of Southern California.
Sharon’s previous consumer products and brand strategy career with Fortune 500 companies like Nestle, Unilever, Kellogg’s and Warner Lambert provided the ideal background to formulate the Haven’s brand position and strategic direction while Holly was able to leverage her training as an attorney and her work with nonprofits dedicated to assisting at-risk youth to support the Haven mission. They both are at home on university campuses after receiving multiple degrees in higher ed----Sharon with a B.A. in Liberal Studies from University of the Pacific and an MBA from California State University, Sacramento, and Holly with a B.A. from Vassar College and law degrees from The London School of Economics and The University of Texas.
When they are not at The Haven working with students, parents or the University Administrators they serve, Holly enjoys surfing, ocean swimming and “wet-sand cycling” at the shoreline. Sharon is an avid golfer and hiker and is passionate about spending quality time with family and friends. Both Holly and Sharon enjoy traveling and have attended recovery meetings in cities around the world including New York, London, Sydney, Prague and Amsterdam.
Our Haven Team
Ashley Thomas, M.A., LCSW
Clinical Director
As The Haven at College's Clinical Director, Ashley is passionate about supporting young adults to discover their strengths and develop whole person wellness. She enjoys learning from staff and clients as much as she does guiding them, and believes that each person has inside them a treasure trove of inner resources to be tapped into. Ashley has experience working with individuals across the life span, from young children to older adults, as well as across many levels of care from outpatient to residential settings. Her particular areas of specialty include co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and working with individuals and families experiencing and/or recovering from trauma, utilizing evidence-based modalities such as TF-CBT, Seeking Safety, DBT, and Relapse Prevention. Ashley earned her BA in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara and her Masters in Social Work from San Jose State University, and also has a certificate in Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counseling. In her free time, Ashley enjoys fitness, cooking, exploring the outdoors and traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
George Stoddard
Executive Director
George Stoddard has been with The Haven at College since 2015 when he helped launch the Haven Recovery Residence in Isla Vista, serving University of California Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College students. George has worked on a number of Haven campuses helping University Administrators design and attain their goals around treatment and support access for students with mental health challenges. In his role as Executive Director, George is passionate about connecting with struggling students and helping them find clinical and inclusive community support both on campus and online. George earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Santa Barbara. In his free time, George can be found on the golf course and spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Bloom, M.A., M.F.A, AMFT
Clinician and Group Facilitator
As a Clinician and Group Facilitator, Jen brings a passion for education and personal growth to The Haven at College. With over twenty years of teaching experience at colleges including Brown University, Rhode Island College and Providence College, Jen is in her element among college students. Jen’s approach to therapy includes body, breath, communication, imagination, and reflection and affords Haven students the opportunity to build on their skills, strengths, and talents to achieve their dreams. Jen has worked as a therapist at the Ness Center, working with families and individuals struggling with significant trauma due to alcohol and substance use. She has also worked as a therapist with Counseling West, Trauma Resolution Therapy, and Yoffe Therapy. Jen believes every story is valuable and that anyone is capable of change. Jen earned her MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in MFT, Professional Clinical Counseling and Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, as well as an MFA in Acting and Directing for the Theatre from Trinity Rep Conservatory. When she has free time, Jen enjoys yoga, hiking, and spending time at the beach with family.
Cortney McClure
Student Care Manager
As the Student Care Manager for The Haven at College, Cortney McClure is an enthusiastic champion for college students overcoming substance use struggles. Cortney’s background in the Narcotics and Crime Lab of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department gave her hands-on knowledge of the severity of drug dependence in our communities, and her personal experience with close friends and family members battling addiction drives her passion for recovery. Cortney brings a unique blend of empathy, relatability, and confidence into her work with The Haven at College, believing every student’s experience is important and relevant. Cortney earned a Bachelor of Arts from Southern New Hampshire University and is continuing her education by working toward her MFA.
