Recover. Improve. Share. Empower.™
About Aja
About The Founder
Aja Stubbs, Founder, We R.I.S.E. New York
My name is Aja Stubbs, and I created We R.I.S.E. New York because I believe deeply in the power of lived experience—and in the people who carry it.
For nearly twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals impacted by substance use, trauma, and life’s many challenges. I’ve witnessed their courage, their potential, and their ability to rebuild—often while navigating systems that weren’t built with them in mind. Time and time again, I’ve seen that the people closest to the work are the ones who bring the deepest wisdom, the strongest empathy, and the clearest understanding of what true recovery looks and feels like.
Our Mission
Mission
We R.I.S.E. New York’s mission is to transform lived experience into professional leadership. We empower people in recovery to rise into ethical, skilled, and confident peer professionals through rigorous training, mentorship, and supportive guidance. By preparing individuals to become Certified Recovery Peer Advocates, we cultivate a workforce that inspires hope, strengthens recovery pathways, and elevates the quality and integrity of peer support across New York State.