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Announcing new Kitchen Supervisor!

We are delighted to introduce our new Kitchen Supervisor, who joins us with a profound dedication to culinary excellence and client care. With nine months of valuable experience at Nexus, Chef Chris Buckley has already demonstrated a remarkable commitment to enhancing our operations and the well-being of those we serve.

Chris’ culinary journey began in a kitchen at a residential living facility, where he discovered his passion for making a difference through food. This realization led him to pursue a career dedicated to improving quality of life through nutrition and compassionate care.

“A day at Nexus for me looks like ensuring everyone is fed with a safe hot meal three times a day,” Chris explains. His responsibilities include overseeing the provision of nutritious meals to clients, daycare attendees, and staff, all while adhering to stringent state and city regulations. He ensures that dietary needs are promptly met and operational efficiency is continually improved across all departments.

“Whether it’s communicating with vendors, Nexus staff, or our clients, I am taking real-time input and issues and creating solutions to better the quality of care we provide as a food service department within our means,” he emphasizes. 

When asked what his greatest accomplishment is, Chris states that it is the satisfaction of our clients with the services he and his team provide. “I also believe it’s important to bring comfort and care into people’s lives with food and during an uncomfortable time. It makes a huge difference,” he adds. Chris’ belief in the power of food to provide comfort and support during challenging times reflects his compassionate leadership and dedication to holistic care.

“What most people don’t know about me is that I lived in Mexico for 10 years and I am fluent in Spanish,” he shares. Chris’ multicultural background enriches our team and enables him to connect with a diverse range of individuals, fostering inclusivity and understanding.

“I love what I do and I am always looking to grow as a person by bettering myself and bettering my surroundings,” Chris affirms. 

Please join us in welcoming our new Kitchen Supervisor, whose expertise, passion, and dedication will undoubtedly elevate the Nexus experience for everyone. We look forward to the positive impact Chef Chris will continue to make within our community.

Dignity

Capriesha’s Journey

Capriesha, 42 years old, embarked on her journey to recovery on July 1, 2022, a pivotal date that marked a fresh start in her life. Before finding Nexus, her days were consumed by unrelenting chaos. Addiction had overtaken her ability to care for her five children, leaving her absent and unable to manage even basic responsibilities. Bills went unpaid as she chased moments of escape, numbing herself from the harsh realities of life.

The turning point came when Capriesha arrived at Nexus with her two youngest children, aged three and four. They had spent days in a Killeen group home, prompting her to seek treatment as a condition for their release. Relocating from Austin to Dallas was a necessary step towards confronting her addiction and rebuilding her fractured life.

At Nexus, Capriesha immersed herself in group sessions, eagerly absorbing the knowledge and skills needed to reclaim her role as a parent. She embraced the need for change and found unwavering support from Nexus, which she credits with saving her life. Through the program, she not only learned to manage her addiction but also acquired vital coping mechanisms and rediscovered the ability to experience emotions authentically.

In January 2023, Capriesha achieved her RSPS certification, a significant milestone that affirmed her commitment to helping others on their own paths to recovery. Today, she works at an Austin treatment center, extending a guiding hand to individuals navigating similar challenges through drug court referrals.

Looking forward, Capriesha remains steadfast in her commitment to living each day clean, guided by the principles of Narcotics Anonymous. She acknowledges her past struggles and understands that sustained recovery requires ongoing dedication and perseverance. Her future plans are grounded in the belief that with each passing day lived in sobriety, she can continue to rebuild her life and nurture meaningful relationships with her children.

Capriesha’s journey underscores the transformative power of resilience and determination in overcoming addiction. Her story challenges the stigma surrounding addiction, emphasizing that with support and determination, recovery is not only possible but achievable one day at a time.

You can support moms just like Capriesha by donating to our #stronglikeamother campaign running through July 31.