Meet Our Team

Chris Howard is a passionate advocate for long-term recovery and mentorship for individuals and families struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. As a Los Angeles native, Chris understands the devastating impact of addiction on families, having grown up in a home with a mentally ill mother. As a young man, he turned to drugs and alcohol because of the euphoric experience he had and to cope with boredom. After more than a decade of struggling with addiction, Chris was forced to make a change in 2009.

Initially, Chris was not focused on embracing long-term sobriety; he simply wanted a better life than the day-to-day struggle of active addiction. However, after roughly six months of staying clean and sober, he discovered a newfound sense of purpose in giving back to the community, and this transformed his life. He found tremendous benefit in a highly structured sober living environment and utilized it to change his life in monumental ways.

Chris continued his mission in recovery as a Director of a prominent sober living house in 2010. Here, he learned the importance of long-term mentorship and the power of community support in helping individuals regain their integrity, responsibility, and joy in sobriety. He went back to school, earning a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA in 2013 and volunteering at a social justice research lab at UCLA to better understand the dynamics of social change.

Today, Chris serves as a mentor and counselor at Ethos Recovery, utilizing his personal and professional experience to support young men on their journey to recovery. He is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC- III) and a Certified Case Manager Interventionist (CCMI) committed to helping individuals and their families thrive in long-term recovery.

Shaun Young is a Certified Case Manager Interventionist (CCMI) who has overcome addiction and dedicated his career to supporting others in their recovery journeys. He first encountered Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) over 15 years ago through the court system after struggling with drug addiction at a young age. Despite a successful career in the music industry, multiple injuries including a broken back led to a relapse.

 

In 2019, Shaun found renewed hope and stability through his experience at Ethos Recovery. He credits the structured environment and regular exercise with helping him to maintain his sobriety and restore his mental and physical health. In addition to his work as a CCMI, Shaun is passionate about surfing, photography, and art. He finds these activities to be therapeutic and restorative, helping him to stay grounded and connected to his inner self. He also continues to invest in his education and personal growth, believing that ongoing learning and development are essential for supporting others in their recovery journeys. Shaun is a dedicated advocate for recovery and hopes to inspire others to discover the transformative power of healing and self-discovery.

Michael “Tuck” Richardson’s battle with addiction and alcoholism started at an early age and persisted for years, resulting in legal troubles and deteriorating mental health. Despite numerous attempts to stay sober and multiple recovery programs, he was unable to sustain his sobriety and felt hopeless.

In a pivotal moment, Tuck found Ethos Recovery, where he was able to establish a solid foundation for his recovery and his life. The structured environment and supportive community helped him work the 12-steps with renewed earnestness, challenging himself to persevere through physical, emotional, and mental struggles. By taking accountability for his actions and learning to be a good member of society, he discovered the value of life, leadership, interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic.

As he progressed through the program, Tuck realized that he could not have achieved his recovery alone and that the support of his peers was vital to his success. Today, he credits Ethos and the 12-steps for his life-changing transformation, and he is committed to helping other men achieve the same.

Now a proud graduate of the program, Tuck works for Ethos, eager to share his experience and help others pursue the life they deserve.

Logan Olson is originally from San Francisco and grew up in a loving family. However, he faced personal insecurities and pressure to succeed from an early age. In school, he experienced bullying and felt like he didn’t fit in with his peers.

Despite the warnings of his parents, Logan tried drugs for the first time in his sophomore year of high school. He quickly developed a substance abuse problem that impacted his relationships, hobbies, and education.

After graduating high school, Logan’s addiction had spiraled out of control, and he needed serious help. His parents sent him to a 90-day wilderness therapy program in Oregon, where he discovered a growing interest in nature and adventure. Following his time in wilderness therapy, Logan entered Ethos Recovery, where he gained a deeper understanding of his addiction and learned more about himself.

At Ethos, Logan developed tools to manage his depression and anxiety in a healthy way, and he grew as a person through self-care and community support. Since graduating from Ethos, Logan has maintained his sobriety, living with other program graduates, and helping others on their recovery journeys. He has returned to school, holding down two jobs and pursuing new hobbies. His relationships continue to improve each day, and he is grateful for the life he has built in recovery.