LAITR adopts a holistic approach to working collaboratively with justice-involved individuals (JII) and local, federal and state organizations to improve the quality of life of JII reentering the community.

Welcome to LAITR

Meet the Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Ariana Gonzalez: Executive Director, President, Founder, Occupational Therapist

  • OTD, OTR/L, CTP

    Roles at LAITR: Executive Director, President, Founder, Occupational Therapist

    Dr. Gonzalez obtained her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University.

    Dr. Gonzalez’s expertise is in program development for underserved populations including justice-involved individuals post-incarceration and people experiencing homelessness. Areas of focus include population health, mental health, sleep health, promotion of justice and reducing recidivism through building life skills.

    LAITR was initially conceptualized during Dr. Gonzalez’s doctoral research in which she piloted this program in a Missouri Community Supervision Center. After results demonstrating feasibility, increased health outcomes and potential for reduced recidivism, this program expanded to what it is today.

  • Publication in WORK Journal
    Evaluation of an occupational therapy reentry program: Achieving goals to support employment and community living after incarceration, 2023

    Article in OT Practice
    Sleep and Mental Health: Translating Evidence Into Practice With People Experiencing Homelessness, 2021

    Chapter in the Encyclopedia of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms, 2nd ed.
    Sleep Issues in People Experiencing Homelessness, 2021

    Publication in WORK Journal
    The importance of health management and maintenance occupations while homeless: A case study, 2020

    Publication in Sleep Health Journal
    Sleep deprivation in an American homeless population, 2020

Alexander Kokesh: Occupational Therapist, Program Development Coordinator

  • MOT, OTR/L, QMHP

    Role at LAITR: Program Development Coordinator

    Alex obtained his Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Eastern Michigan University. Prior to this, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Michigan State University with a minor in French.

    Alex values his role at LAITR as he works to address historical gaps in care at a program and policy level. He believes that an empathetic approach to meaningful skill development and skill integration are imperative to client success. Alex is passionate about stoking change in how incarceration policy and rehabilitation efforts are implemented.

    Alex has experience working with populations affected by mental illness, substance use disorder, and developmental disorders. His professional interests include novel approaches in psychosocial rehabilitation, OT use of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and mental health policy advocacy.

Elyse Boyle: Vice President, Occupational Therapist, Resource Coordinator

  • MSOT, CTP

    Roles at LAITR: Vice President, Occupational Therapist and Research Coordinator

    Elyse Boyle obtained her Bachelors of Psychology from the University of Michigan and her Master's in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University.

    Elyse was motivated to join the profession to expand services for those who struggle with their mental health and has professional goals to destigmatize mental health care while increasing accessibility of services for justice-involved individuals. Elyse has worked with various populations that have experienced a mental health illness, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, incarceration and/or addiction. The commonality she noticed among these populations is that mental health does not discriminate and this aspired her goals to raise awareness and provide services for mental health.

Coming Soon
Occupational Therapy Students

Meet the Board of Directors

  • Elyse Boyle

    VICE PRESIDENT

    I’m Elyse Boyle, an Occupational Therapist and Vice Chair at Life After Incarceration: Transition and Reentry. I am looking forward to creating projects that will improve the health and well-being for the community and specifically for justice involved individuals. I am driven to provide services to improve mental health as mental health is a basic human right that should be available to everyone.

  • Leroy Harris

    BOARD MEMBER

    My name is Leroy C Harris. I am a violence and victims prevention specialist. I am skilled and trained in conflict resolution, mediation, critical thinking, ethical reasoning and life coaching as a therapeutic mentor. I love to help others in areas of self-examination, self-analysis and self-correction.

  • Murphy O'Flynn

    SECRETARY

    Patrick Murphy O’Flynn has his Social Work degree from EMU. He worked at Oakdale Recovery Center and currently works at Eisenhower Center, while being a public speaker. He’s always had a passion for assisting the betterment of others, especially for those struggling with addiction/SUDs and depression/suicide.

  • Javon Reese

    BOARD MEMBER

    Javon Reese is a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Black Family Development, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. He also serves as a consultation partner with Tribe Consulting, LLC and a board member for Kevin's Song. He attended Eastern Michigan University on a full ride scholarship to play football. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in Chemistry. He is currently completing a dual master's degree from Wayne State University, in social work and public health.

    Suicide affects everyone. Javon has set his focus on suicide prevention and awareness, mental health and student athletes, and learning about food equity. He is trained to facilitate evidence-based suicide prevention trainings/workshops; QPR, safeTALK, and ASIST.

  • Scott Tompkins

    BOARD MEMBER

    Scott Tompkins is an advocate, consultant, photographer, artists, husband and father of four amazing grown children, while living and working in northern Michigan, He has over 25 years of classroom teaching experience, administrative experience, and curriculum development experience in public, private educational settings from elementary to college level. Scott is the newly elected President of the board of BDAI (Before, During, and After Incarceration) Board of Directors, where he also serves as chair of the Fund Development Committee and Co -Chair of the Family Support Dinner Committee. Additionally, he is newly appointed to the board of directors for Life After Incarceration: Transition and Re-Entry (LAITR), in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

    Most days, Scott works as a consultant for A Brighter Way, working on easing the re-entry issues of those newly out of jail and prison. Scott has lived experience in Grand Traverse County Jail, Leelanau County Jail, and Michigan Department of Corrections State Prison system. While incarcerated, Scott worked as a tutor, and taught inmate-led classes to his fellow inmates. Scott has a BS in Communications and Fine Arts, and a Masters of Arts in Education, from the University of the Pacific.

  • Lexi Long

    TREASURER

    My name is Alexis "Lexi" Long and I am originally from Wyandotte, Michigan. I am currently one of the recruiters for the educational nonprofit City Year and reside in Waco, Texas. I am also currently an online student for Columbia University's MS in Nonprofit Management program. Before my experience as a recruiter, I spent a year as a City Year Corps Americorps member tutoring and mentoring 9th grade algebra students in a high-need school in Dallas. Prior to City Year, I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020. In my free time I enjoy cycling, rock climbing, reading, hiking, kayaking, and traveling.

  • Ariana Gonzalez

    PRESIDENT

    Ariana Gonzalez is the founder of LAITR. Ariana is passionate about serving the underserved, program development and community connection to fill the gaps within out systems and society.