our team

Certified Recovery Mentor and Peer Support Specialist

As an empathic peer mentor, I am here to listen, support, and guide you through life experiences with understanding and care. I truly believe that we all need a little extra support sometimes, and I'm committed to creating a safe space where you can feel heard and valued.

Whether you're dealing with stress, personal challenges, or simply want someone to talk to, I want to be a resource that helps you feel less alone in the process. I’ve been where you are, and I know how important it is to have someone who can relate and offer guidance with compassion.

I’m passionate about behavioral and mental health, community involvement, and empowerment, and I’m here to offer any support you might need whether that’s helping with resources, suggesting self-care practices, or just being a friendly ear.

Resource Navigator and House Manager

As House Manager at WomenFirst, I’m committed to creating a stable, substance-free, and supportive environment for women transitioning out of incarceration. I work closely with WomenFirst staff and community partners to maintain a safe, healthy home where participants can focus on rebuilding their lives. From administering random drug screenings to conducting weekly house meetings and coordinating with maintenance, I handle the day-to-day operations that keep the house running smoothly. I prioritize open communication, mutual respect, and accountability—both to uphold program standards and to foster trust with each woman in the home. Whether it's reporting notable behavior, ordering supplies, or preparing a room for a new arrival, every task I take on is rooted in the belief that housing is more than just shelter—it's a foundation for transformation.

What excites me most about this work is the chance to witness real, lasting change. Helping women reconnect with their families, access vital resources, and rediscover their confidence is deeply rewarding. Their resilience inspires me, and their victories—big or small—fuel my drive. I feel honored to walk beside them as they break cycles of incarceration, homelessness, and hardship. The best part of my job is knowing I’m not just managing a house—I’m helping build a community where healing, growth, and hope are possible. This isn’t just work to me—it’s purpose.

Raeona Amadi is a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate, experienced case manager, and proud Portland, Oregon native. With years of lived experience in recovery, Raeona brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work supporting survivors and individuals navigating complex systems.

Her approach is rooted in empathy, resilience, and empowerment. Having walked her own path of recovery, she understands firsthand the barriers many clients face and uses that understanding to build authentic, trust-based relationships. Raeona specializes in advocacy, safety planning, resource coordination, and strengths-based case management, meeting individuals where they are and supporting them toward stability and self-determination.

Deeply connected to the Portland community, Raeona is passionate about advancing trauma-informed care, promoting equity, and helping survivors reclaim their power. She believes healing is possible and is committed to walking alongside others as they rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Interim Executive Director

Deputy Director

Candace Wennig is a passionate behavioral health advocate whose work is rooted in lived experience, resilience, and unwavering hope. Having personally navigated mental health challenges, addiction, feelings of helplessness, and time spent in corrections, Candace understands firsthand what it means to fight for survival—and to rebuild.

Today, she channels her journey into purpose. Candace believes deeply in meeting people exactly where they are, without judgment and without shame. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help others rediscover hope when they feel like they’ve lost it. She lives by the words, “Be the roadmap to someone else’s survival.”

A devoted mother to one son and one daughter, Candace is blessed to share life with her spouse of 16 years. Together, they cherish their family—including their beloved fur babies. When she’s not working in behavioral health, you’ll likely find her enjoying murder mysteries, planning a vacation, or spending meaningful time with family and friends.

Candace’s life is proof that your past does not define your future—and that survival can turn into service, and pain into purpose. 

DV Advocate

Housing Navigator