Our Founder
Danielle Burkett, MSW, LSW, CSPR-PR, CPRC, MATS, CCHW, CPSP (she, her)
Danielle Burkett is a passionate advocate for recovery, mental health, and second chances. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and has extensive experience supporting individuals navigating addiction, mental health challenges, and involvement in the justice system. Her professional background includes working in multiple county jails, a work release program, alongside law enforcement, in an outpatient addiction treatment facility, and through community outreach with individuals experiencing homelessness, where she provided connection, resources, and harm reduction tools. In 2019, she also served as an intern at Progress House, a residential recovery program.
Since 2017, Danielle has worked as a Recovery Coach, combining professional training with lived experience to walk alongside others as they rebuild their lives. She also serves as an Adjunct Facilitator through Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI), helping train and mentor future recovery coaches, and participates in Suicide and Overdose Fatality Review meetings alongside community partners working to better understand and prevent loss in the community.
The vision for Unlikely Journeys began long before the organization itself. In 2013, while Danielle was incarcerated, she began imagining the kinds of support, tools, and connections she wished she had when she was younger—and what her own children might need to navigate life differently. After her release, self-doubt often held her back from pursuing the idea.
Everything changed in March 2022 when Danielle survived a life-altering stroke. That experience shifted her perspective on time, purpose, and the importance of using her story to help others.
Danielle often says her own life is an unlikely journey. Given her past, she believes she easily could have ended up dead or still in prison. Instead, she is committed to creating opportunities for others—especially those society has counted out—to write their own comeback stories.
Unlikely Journeys exists for the people everyone counted out.
Meet the Board
Board meetings are once a quarter, held on a Thursday in the evening at 6 p.m., virtually. Anyone interested in joining the board or learning more should contact us for more information.
- Spencer Medcalf, ASN, RN, MATS; President
- Sarah (SJ) Ardeel, Vice President
- Cathryn Warner, Secretary
- Jay Groves, Board Member
- Andrea Wills Lismon, Board Member
- Patricia Vandervort, Board Member
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission in Action
Supporting youth, individuals, and families navigating:
- Substance use recovery
- Mental health challenges
- Justice involvement
- Life transitions
Why Our Approach Works
Many individuals facing substance use, mental health challenges, or justice involvement struggle with isolation, stigma, and lack support. Unlikely Journeys focuses on:
- Connection instead of judgement
- Skill-building instead of shame
- Support that meets people where they are
Programs and Services
Unlikely Journeys provides recovery support, life-skills programming, and interactive workshops designed to help people build healthier, more meaningful lives. Our programs focus on awareness, emotional regulation, communication, resilience, and connection.
Through coaching, groups, and interactive workshops, we help people build awareness, resilience, and practical tools for lasting change.
- Communication and life skills
- Community
- Personal growth and resilience
- Connection instead of judgement
- Skill-building instead of shame
- Support that meets people where they are
Services are offered in community settings, correctional facilities, and partner organizations.
Volunteers & Donations Needed
Join our team of volunteers and make a difference in your community. Whether you can give a few hours a week or a few hours a month, your time and skills are appreciated. All volunteers and workers need to submit to a background check.
Your donation helps us continue our mission of supporting our community. Every dollar counts and will make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Statistics available from the Indiana Youth Institute.
Statistics available from the Indiana Youth Institute.
The Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health & Addiction (FSSA/DMHA) and Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc, (ASPIN) has awarded a $5k grant to Unlikely Journeys, Inc to continue the development and expansion of Certified Peer Recovery Coaches and Leadership Fellows Academy (LFA) Program graduates to support the development their existing or developing 501c3 organizations. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by FSSA, DMHA, or ASPIN.