Recovery Staff
David Saruk
Director
David Saruk has been with the New Life House since 2009 and has over 10 years working in the substance abuse and mental health field. David received his ICADC and CADC-II through University of the Pacific and has always been passionate about remaining on the cutting edge of recovery. With over a decade in the industry, David has been able to experience and witness first-hand the different changes in the recovery world, and has always remained committed to providing young men the best possible opportunity for success.
Over the last decade, David has watched the expectations and stresses of today’s world change dramatically for young men and their families. David understands the struggles young adults face with co-occurring disorders and substance abuse, and his approach with these young men is relatable, fun, assertive, and transformational.
Howard Barker
Director
Howard Barker handles all of the operations, outreach and community engagement at New Life House. He works to spread education and awareness on issues surrounding mental health and substance abuse as well as help families navigate the difficult waters of getting a loved one help. Howard has spent the past 7 years working with young adults and their families, being a support during times of crisis.
A New Life House alumni, Howard went back to college and underwent CADC training in recovery. He has spoken on panels, in treatment centers, community centers, schools, with parents, students, teachers, law enforcement and mental health providers to give insight on issues that are impacting young people today. He works closely with the New Life House families and the management staff, helping to keep things innovative, add additional services for the guys, and deal with all of the logistics of running the New Life House programs.
Garret Eamer
House Director
Garrett Eamer is the House Director for New Life House. He has worked with New Life House for the past 3 years and also has experience as a mental health and addiction case manager as a drug and alcohol counselor at a local outpatient facility.
He initiated his path and career choice through majoring in Psychology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Garrett has plans to go on and receive his Masters in Clinical Psychology, all the while continuing to enrich the lives of others going through the New Life House process.
Ryan Garcia
Manager
Ryan Garcia is one of the managers for New Life House. With over 3 years in recovery, Ryan is passionate about the process of life transformation. Ryan uses his own history with drug abuse and his experience with recovery to motivate others to achieve sobriety and excel in all aspects of life. As an alumni of New Life House, Ryan is able to relate with the guys on a personal level and be a positive mentor for the members of the house.
Ryan has made it a priority to make recovery the centerpiece of his life. He is heavily involved in the recovery community in the local area and does a great job of making this way of life attractive and fun for all of the people close to him.
Lorenzo Rocca
Manager
Lorenzo is a Manager for New Life House. His experience with addiction and dedication to living a recovered life inspire him to reach out to those struggling in the grips of addiction and aid them in establishing the foundations necessary for a life in recovery.
Lorenzo is currently taking classes to pursue his goal of becoming an EMT/ Firefighter and enjoys time with friends and family, outdoor activities such as golfing, surfing, snowboarding and being involved in his recovery community.
Zach Arnell
Manager
Zach Arnell is one of the weekend managers at New Life House. A New Life House alumni, Zach is passionate about helping people change their lives and wants to finish school and get his Masters in Psychology to continue working with helping others change their lives.
Zach is passionate about giving back to New Life House because it has given him a new perspective on life that he never knew was possible. He believes that if people adopt what this program offers they will be able to have a long happy life free from drugs and alcohol. Zach loves seeing families repair their relationship throughout the process and finds happiness being part of the guy’s recovery.
Caleb Muench
Manager
Caleb Muench is the Overnight Manager for New Life House. Caleb has been with the company for over a year and is currently attending school in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree for audio engineering. He is also the vocalist in a local punk rock band and performs live shows all around Los Angeles.
Caleb is a night owl and loves to be available for residents who may be struggling at odd hours of the night. He brings a unique perspective and his own personal experience to the table when assessing and addressing any issues, questions, or events that happen after hours.
Gavin Arbuckle
Manager
Gavin is a weekend manager at New Life House and has been in recovery since 2017. He uses his passion for personal development to assist other young men in early sobriety not just as a mentor, but also their peer.
When not at work, he likes to enjoy the outdoors from recreational sports to ocean activities. Gavin plans on furthering his educational background by continuing to to attain and explore mental health and psychology knowledge.
Kyle Yamashiro
Manager
Kyle is a graduate of the New Life community who found his passion in recovery through adopting the principles that were taught to him in the house. He is driven to give back to the very community that has allowed him to build a stronger relationship he has with himself, his family, and the ability to form meaningful, healthy relationships with all those around him.
He believes that a strong foundation in recovery is crucial to internalize the importance of leading a life in sobriety for any individual, and believes his purpose is to use his experience in any way he can to help others adopt a lifestyle of recovery and integrity.
Dave Lewis
Manager
Dave Lewis has been associated with New Life House for almost 25 years. Through the years he has been a sponsor, teacher, confidant, manager, chef, carpenter and plumber. He has had many wonderful experiences through his time as a manager at New Life House.
When not at one of the South Bay houses, you can find Dave supporting the Stanley Cup Champions the Los Angeles Kings. If it’s football season he will be sitting at home watching the Cornhuskers. More often than not, he is often giving rides to meetings nearly every night.
New Life House has brought Dave a sense of gratitude and satisfaction from watching the guys who come into the house who are beaten and broken as a newcomer to transitioning to graduation and being told they have completed the program. Dave takes great pride and joy in being a small but hopefully successful part of the process.
Nick Bernard
Manager
Nick Bernard is a graduate of New Life and is currently a weekend Manager. Nick was in restaurant management and is an entrepreneur having opened multiple businesses throughout his career. When he was presented with the opportunity to work for the houses he jumped at the chance. He is able to take his managerial skills and business prowess combined with his passion for recovery and New Life House to help the houses that gave him his life today. He has also worked in mental health and is very involved in AA and the recovery community.
All of these factors make him an effective manager who is passionate about helping other alcoholics and above all is always grateful and humbled to be of service to the New Life House community. Nick’s goal is to pass on this passion for recovery and show the young men in New Life House that if you put recovery first, you can be successful, happy and have a lot of fun in sobriety.
Matt Mikaelian
Manager
Matt is a Night Manager at New Life House. He was inspired to work in recovery by realizing his ability to give back what was so freely given to him, hopefully making a small impact by bettering the lives of others. He is inspired every single day through being able to show up for others in their recovery.
He is passionate about being able to sit down with house members and help them with whatever it is they need help with through sharing his own experience, strength, and hope.
Outside Services
Dr. Martha Koo
Psychiatrist and Medical Director of Clear Recovery Center
Dr. Martha B. Koo, M.D., a graduate of Princeton University and UCLA Medical School, is double Board Certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine and has over 20 years of experience providing psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and pharmaceutical treatment for individuals and families.
Martha has worked with the guys of New Life House for many years, and is acutely aware of the specific issues that come along with young adult men. Dr. Koo provides substance abuse therapy and medication management for clients on a specialized, individual basis. She is an active member of the American Psychiatric Association, the New Center for Psychoanalysis, the Clinical TMS Society, The American Society of Addiction Medicine, the California Psychiatric Society and the Southern California Psychiatric Society.
Dr. Sean O’Hara
Psy D. and Clinical Director at Clear Recovery Center
Dr. Sean O’Hara is a Licensed Psychologist with 26 years of experience providing psychiatric services for individuals seeking relief from addictive diseases and mental illness.
He utilizes cognitive, psycho dynamic, and behavioral existential therapies to treat individuals with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. As Clear Recovery Center’s Clinical Director, Dr. Sean O’Hara spearheads a multidisciplinary staff of psychiatrists, therapists, clinical social workers, and certified counselors. Sean has worked with the New Life House guys for over a decade, and is loved member of the community.
Basel Shadfan
Group Facilitator
Basel serves as one of the group facilitators at New Life House. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in counseling from Antioch University and is a licensed therapist as well as the Program Director at Clear Recovery Center. His firsthand experience and in-depth knowledge of recovery make him an invaluable resource for young men getting sober.
He has over seven years of experience working with both adolescents and young adults specifically struggling with substance abuse. His compassion, professionalism and personal drive make him an exemplary role model for the young men of New Life House. In his spare time Basel enjoys snowboarding, exercise, hiking and spending time at the beach.
Scott Dohren
Group Facilitator
Scott Dohren attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a focus in Business Administration. He also holds a CADC-II certification in addiction studies. Scott has a tremendous amount of experience with both administrative and interpersonal aspects of behavioral health. His background in the field of behavioral health extends to counseling, mentorship, and admissions.
Scott’s leadership and passion in the field of wellness allows him to bring a wealth of experience and insight into working with the young men of New Life House. In his free time, Scott enjoys maintaining a healthy exercise regimen, attending concerts, spending time in nature, and traveling with his wife Karen.
Anne Spinner
Yoga Instructor
Anne has been teaching yoga since 2009. Trained in the vinyasa modality of yoga, Anne brings all sorts of aspects of the yogic lifestyle into her practice to strengthen mind and body in an equal and balanced way. Using mindfulness and meditation in a variety of ways, Anne helps each student to find something within the practice that they enjoy and will take with them to use as a tool for many years to come.
Administration
Mike Joly
Executive Director
Mike Joly is the Executive Director of New Life House and has spent the last 20 years devoted to helping individuals and their families heal and recover from substance abuse, addiction and mental health struggles.
Mike now spends his time educating and working with his staff in a behind the scenes role. He is passionate about providing his team with the tools and training to assist them in being the best they can possibly be. He is a prominent figure in the South Bay, and gives back through a variety of non-profit, education and community service organizations.
Laure Linn
Director of Finance
Laure Linn has a background in operational efficiency, financial management, and works tirelessly to make sure that resources are being utilized as effectively as possible so that New Life House can always keep improving the quality of the services that it offers.
Daisy Barajas
Office Manager
Prior to her time working with New Life House, Daisy worked in the real estate industry as a paralegal and mortgage loan processor. She applies her stellar customer service skills and her highly organized work style to support our team and families regarding administrative functions. Of all her duties, Daisy loves watching clients grow and thrive during their time at New Life House.
In her spare time, Daisy enjoys spending time with friends, family and her dog Sparky, traveling, and going to the movie theater. You may also find her and her daughter hanging out with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland on her days off.
Gricela Mendoza
Administrative Assistant
Gricela joins the New Life House staff as an administrative assistant. Her past work experience in the hospitality industry as well as helping people get back on their feet with credit repair has helped move her into an even more empathetic role of helping others navigate through their own recovery.
Having a brother go through his own experience in recovery, her own personal experience and insight to addiction has motivated her to be a part of the New Life House program. Gricela enjoys being part of a team in order to make sure all of the New Life House families needs and requirements are not only met, but exceeded.
Amber Jones
Administrative Assistant
Amber Jones works to assist the administration team with a variety of tasks, and is passionate about helping to contribute to a team that allows young men to get sober and change their lives.
Monica Juarez
Human Resources
Monica handles all of the Human Resource responsibilities for New Life House. Prior to working here, she had experience in the Aerospace and Defense industries as a recruiter and human resources coordinator. She looks forward to bringing her expertise to New Life House in any way she can.
Monica is hard working, efficient, and understanding-a great combination to have for anyone within a Human Resources role. In her spare time she is either listening to music, at the movies watching the latest Marvel flick, at the beach or park with her puppy Chester or reading her favorite comics and books with her cat Pebbles.
Outreach
Emily Pedersen, MPH, M.S.Ed.
Clinical Outreach
Emily Pedersen holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Master of Public Health degree with a certificate in health inequities from Johns Hopkins University.
As a former educator with a strong professional background in public health research, Emily has extensive experience partnering with communities to improve health and educational outcomes. She has served as a teacher, team-lead and professional curriculum developer for Baltimore City Public Schools as well as a senior research coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Department of Epidemiology and is passionate about connecting great providers in the behavioral health space.
Marina Braff, M.S., LMFT
Clinical Outreach
Marina Braff is an LMFT that practices in the South Bay of Los Angeles and works with the team in the capacity of clinical outreach. She loves helping young people and their families find the help that they need.
Kaivon Sherkat
Social Media Manager
Kaivon is our Social Media Manager at New Life House and has been in recovery since 2016. Kaivon is passionate about recovery and seeks to showcase life in sobriety to reach those in need of help and give them hope.
When not at work, Kaivon attends FIDM where he is working towards a degree in Apparel Industry Management and works a few jobs in the fashion industry.
