Congratulations to Nicole Smarro as the recipient of the January 2025 Staff on the Rise recognition and for her promotion to the program director of the brand-new RISE Above Rehabilitation Program.
Nicole joined RISE in November 2016 as a program counselor at Hedgerow House Reintegration Program.
In 2018 she was promoted to the House Manager at Hedgerow House, and she has worked in this position for the past six years until her promotion to the RISE Above Program Director in December 2024.
RISE Above, located on the same property as Hedgerow House, is the only residential rehabilitation facility in Saratoga County. The program provides a course of rehabilitative services for persons in recovery from substance use disorders in a safe and supportive environment with staffing to provide monitoring and case management services.
“We could not be more proud of Nicole!” ~ Julianne Thomas
“The Hedgerow House team and I could not be prouder,” says Julianne Thomas, Hedgerow House Program Director. “She has been a true asset to the Hedgerow House Program for the past 8 years. While we are sad to lose her, we are all very grateful that she is only a sidewalk away! We are confident in her ability to get this new program up and running. We wish her great success and look forward to the great things that are to come from Nicole!”
“I am very excited about RISE Above,” Nicole shares. “I am a strong facilitator, and I look forward to utilizing these skills in my new role as I hire and train new staff to assist in the running of RISE Above. As the program director, I have a vision of helping people become healthy again and about giving them the time needed to become stable in their recovery by providing a very structured and strong treatment program.”
Nicole obtained her Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification
After five and a half years of hard work, including completing 4000 clinical hours, Nicole has obtained her Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification. “It was tough and so much work – lots of running around, taking both online and in person classes, and then finally being able to take the exam – but well worth the effort!” Nicole explains. “The best thing I like about working in this field is the interaction with all the different personalities,” Nicole shares. “I feel I am able to connect with people very well and I can communicate with anyone no matter their demographic or culture. I love to see the growth and change in people, and watching their confidence grow.”
Wedding Bells are Ringing!
Further congratulations are due to Nicole as she and her fiancé, Meghan, are getting married next month in Puta Cana. “We are looking forward to this trip because not only are we getting married, but we love to travel,” Nicole shares. Nicole and Meghan’s travels have taken them to Universal Studios in Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, and most recently Nashville, Tennessee. “We love music and got to experience it all in Nashville. We visited Kid Rock’s Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse, and Blake Sheldon’s restaurant and rooftop bar. We watched Blake on the voice a couple years ago and were so excited to go to his restaurant.”
Nicole and Meghan share their home with the two dogs, Aspen and Niro. Nicole also cares for her paternal grandmother. “We moved her into our home so that she feels safe, and she has family to care for her.” In addition to their love of travel and playing with their dogs, Nicole and Meghan love going on car rides, and playing cards and board games with each other and with friends. “We like playing Yahtzee, Sorry, Cards Against Humanity, and having friends over for Corn Hole tournaments,” Nicole shares.
“Nicole is an asset to the Recovery Community!” ~ Lindsey Connors
RISE Administration is very proud to have promoted Nicole to be the Program Manager of RISE Above. “After years of exceptional work at Hedgerow House, our Executive Team was so very pleased to instate Nicole as the Director of RISE’s brand new 20 bed rehabilitation facility: RISE Above,” says Lindsey Connors, RISE Associate Executive Director. “Nicole is not only an asset to RISE, but the recovery community as a whole and she is well-known and respected amongst her colleagues. We so look forward to seeing all the positive outcomes Nicole will orchestrate at RISE Above!”