Our Weakley County Prevention Team

Courtney, a Jackson, TN native, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. She served as the WCPC Program Coordinator from 2015-2018 before assuming the role of director. Her top goal is to ensure the coalition remains a well-known resource to community members and implementing effective strategies to reduce substance misuse and abuse in the county among youth and young adults.  She has extensive experience in planning, leadership development and team facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration and engagement. She also is a certified Responsible Beverage Service instructor, Certified Prevention Specialist, and graduate of CADCA Academy. She lives in Martin, TN, with her husband and their two children. She serves on various civic and volunteer groups and has a passion for serving others and making the community a safer place.

Kayla graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in December 2021 with her Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Coming from Benton County, Tennessee, she has a longstanding passion for working with youth, which began as a big sister to three, and grew through roles as a babysitter, volunteer, and now as a professional. As the Youth Engagement Coordinator, Kayla aims to invite children and teens into the conversation of prevention and to empower them to be advocates for drug prevention and leaders among their peers. She enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, reading, listening to music, and being with her pets.

Johana is our Campus Engagement Coordinator. She is a Bethel University graduate class of 2022 and she has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. She was a member of WCPC in high school in 2017. You can tell she is passionate about this organization and will do great things!

Melesa is a dedicated healthcare professional and Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist (ROPS) from Dresden, TN. With a passion for making a difference in her community, Melesa graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to those in need. Since September 2017, Melesa has been a dedicated member of the Weakley County Prevention Coalition,  other coalitions in NWTN, health councils, and many other local organizations that support helping individuals thrive instead of just survive. She serves as the ROPS for Region 6 North, which encompasses all of Northwest Tennessee. In this crucial role, she tirelessly works to combat the substance abuse epidemic by raising awareness and providing education to various stakeholders, including the general public, medical professionals, law enforcement agencies, and first responders. One of Melesa’s primary objectives as a ROPS is to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to save lives. She conducts training sessions and equips qualified participants with the life-saving drug Naloxone (Narcan or Kloxxado), empowering them to respond effectively to opioid overdoses and potentially save lives in emergency situations. Melesa’s commitment to her community and her dedication to addressing the substance abuse crisis have been instrumental in creating a safer and more informed environment for the residents of Northwest Tennessee. Her efforts serve as a testament to her unwavering determination and her genuine concern for the well-being of others. In her spare time, Melesa enjoys engaging in various hobbies and interests. She understands the importance of self-care and finds solace in activities such as reading, crafting, exploring nature, and spending quality time with loved ones. Melesa’s personal quote encapsulates her unwavering spirit: “Saving lives starts with education and compassion.” She continues to strive for positive change, using her knowledge and expertise to make a lasting impact in the fight to Save Lives.

Keith Jernigan is originally from Dyersburg, Tennessee. After struggling with addiction for over ten years, he experienced various health issues such as seizures, pancreatitis, and loss of hearing in one ear, as well as a loss of sense of smell. Eventually, he ended up in jail, which became a turning point in his life. Keith sought help at John 3:16 Ministries in Charlotte, Arkansas, and spent six months there learning practical strategies to combat his addiction. Now, Keith works as the Peer Project Lifeline Coordinator for NW Tennessee, where he assists individuals facing similar struggles to what he once experienced, helping them access the necessary tools for their recovery. “If I can help one person not to become what I was. Then I know I’m doing what God intended me to do.”