On The Move

Phillip Johnson leads Bellevue Recovery and Support Services

Submitted by BRASS

Bellevue Recovery and Support Services – BRASS – has hired Phillip Johnson as its first director of operations. He will oversee the daily operations of BRASS including executive management functions, coordination of partners, community outreach and program development.

“We are so excited to have Phil join us as our director of operations at BRASS. He brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to workforce development, budget oversight, grant writing and youth mentoring,” said Lavin Schwan, co-founder and current Secretary of the BRASS board of directors. “The most important piece of the interview for me with Phil, was when he stated he was looking for a career where he was making a difference in someone’s life. That sealed the deal with me.”

The new director comes to BRASS with over 20 years of experience working in education and training programs. A former K-12 public school music teacher, Johnson transitioned to workforce development training programs as a case manager with EHOVE Adult Career Center’s Success for Youth program. He worked primarily with young adults ages 14-24 who had barriers to training and employment success. He quickly advanced to a coordinator position within the program before moving into the role of grants manager overseeing the youth-centered workforce program across five Ohio counties.

In addition to working with young adults, Johnson has designed and delivered customized workshops to adult education programs and adult job seekers in the local area. He has presented informational programs on marketing/recruitment and fiscal management of Ohio’s youth workforce programing and, most recently, completed two projects as a consultant for the state of Florida’s workforce development system.

“I am so excited to be joining the BRASS team,” Johnson said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to be of service to the community and help people on a very intimate level. I’m looking forward to expanding the great work that is done by this organization and building rich and collaborative relationships that will truly make a difference to the greater Bellevue area.”

BRASS is a non-profit organization providing support services and guidance to anyone struggling with substance use and/or family members seeking hope and support related to the active addiction of a loved one. Currently, BRASS hosts weekly support group meetings and provides referrals for those seeking treatment for active addictions. In the current climate of the COVID-19 pandemic, BRASS is working to develop more service capability to deliver additional programs and referral services safely in the coming months.

Anyone seeking information on services, opportunities to volunteer or wishing to make a donation can contact the BRASS office at 419-484-5923, by e-mail at bellevuerecoveryss@gmail.com or by visiting the website at bellevuerecovery.org.