Our Approach
Simple
Our Approach
Is to help the individual take an introspective look at their own lives and develop the questions that need to be answered for them to be able to go through the challenges that hold them back from positive growth and reaching the other side of the challenges.
It allows them to get a comprehensive understanding to develop the mechanisms that hold them back and create new mechanisms that are healthy, safe and congruent with their wants and needs to excel and eventually reach their full potential at that given moment.
Our team
Maik Bain | Founder & CEO
My mission as a mentor is to help men take an introspective look at themselves, to figure out the questions that are needed in order to seek out the answers to what is holding them back from reaching their full potential. It is my job to ask the prodding questions as to what is holding them back from completing the tasks that can assist them with forging ahead in a non-shaming or blaming way. This allows them to conduct an assessment of how they are presenting themselves in their lives, figure out what could be different and take action steps on the path of growth to enable for a successful outcome.
I am 61 years old with more than 25 years of sober living. I have a Masters Degree in Social Work, with over 20 years experience providing counseling services for individuals that are diagnosed with chronic medical illnesses, who have substance abuse and/or mental health challenges. In the past, I have worked with individuals with HIV/AIDS in the NYC Correctional setting to receive medical care, substance abuse rehabilitation, mental health services and supportive housing, as a way of helping them work towards the mission of reducing their chances of being re-incarcerated.
I am presently working in a supportive housing setting with individuals with dual or multiple diagnosis, to overcome the challenges that hold them back from being able to move on to independent living.
I have coordinated and conducted not-for-profit peer support groups. I have participated in the NYS HIV Prevention Planning group and various advisory boards. Presently I am a council member of the Metro New York Tri-state area Mankind Project (MKP) Community, a Ritual Elder and a leading staff member of MKP weekend retreat workshops, I also help create culturally safe space for participants in order for them to do their healing work.
Toni Durand Bain | Vice President
Vice PresidentToni has developed a truly individualized approach to helping others identify and achieve their goals, in recovery and beyond. Throughout her journey she has discovered that most, if not all of us, are recovering from something… Her mission is to serve as an ever-expanding resource for those who seek a person centered as well as more spiritual approach to their lives. For some, this includes a more complete understanding of the disease of addiction; treatment & recovery options;
Toni has worked in the field of social service for over 20 years. She has the desire and dedication to want to create change in the world one person at a time. She has her BA in Liberal Arts/Psychology. She started out her carrier as an alcohol and addiction treatment counselor, knowing first-hand the effects recovery could have in a person’s life. She herself has 30 years of 12 step recovery, as well as many years of personal therapy and spiritual guidance that has helped , and well prepared her to help others to reach their personal goals. Toni has also been an advocate in the world of HIV since the early days of the epidemic. She ran groups on meditation and wellness at the Montefiore women’s center in the 1990s. She was part of ACT-UP NYC and volunteered at GMHC to help people find peace of mind during this time of illness.
Toni started training for the DOH AIDS Institute to educate professionals on working in the HIV and Recovery field. Toni has had the opportunity train as a consultant for many CBO’s throughout NYC. She has created training such as HIV and Domestic Violence, Harm reduction, Community Outreach and STI training. During this time she participated in panel discussion on Harm Reduction/HIV at National HIV/AIDS Conference. She had co-created two Women’s Health Conferences for DOH Center of Expertise. Toni has since then become the coordinator of an HIV testing program at St Barnabas hospital and continues to advocate for better services and HIV education. She is the steering committee member for the Bronx Knows annotative. Toni sits on the Borough Presidents HIV Educational round table. She has been awarded a proclamation by the City for her dedication and unending work in serving the HIV Community.