Tonya Wheeler

Tonya has been living in active and sustained recovery since 1990, dedicating her life to helping others embrace recovery as a positive and attainable goal. Her work as a leader and advocate spans decades, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to sharing the message that recovery is not only possible but a reality.

Tonya is a founding board member of Advocates for Recovery Colorado (AFRC), a peer-led, peer-run organization and an authentic Recovery Community Organization (RCO). Since AFRC’s inception in 2001, Tonya has been integral to its mission and was named its first Executive Director in 2009, a position she continues to hold. She is certified as a Colorado Peer & Family Specialist (CPFS) and began her career in the substance use field in 1992. Tonya previously worked as a Certified Addictions Counselor – Level III in Colorado and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas, where her professional journey began. She currently serves as a board member for 5280 Recovery High School in Denver, and was a previous board member for Faces & Voices of Recovery in Washington, DC, from 2008 to 2015.

Tonya is a sought-after speaker and trainer, sharing her personal recovery story with audiences and media outlets nationwide. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the “Exceptional Service Award” from the Colorado Consortium of Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention in 2024 and the “Vernon Johnson Award” from Faces & Voices of Recovery in 2018. Additional honors include the “Community Recovery Beacon” Award (2016) and the “Founders Award” (2014). Tonya also co-authored the book “The Methamphetamine Crisis: Strategies to Save Addicts, Families, and Communities” (2007).

Tonya’s dedication extends beyond her work, inspiring countless individuals and communities to believe in the transformative power of recovery.