Miracles Happen Leadership Team

DAVID KESLER, CACI, CAMSII
Founder/Director

During the economic recession of 2009, David found himself at a crossroads.  At the time David was in his thirteenth year of recovery and felt led to provide services for men struggling with addiction and substance abuse issues.  There was a gap in recovery facilities for men who were in lower economic groups or who struggled with legal and incarceration issues due to their addiction.   It was David’s vision to fill the gap and provide services for these men who had nowhere else to turn for help.  With the support of his wife and family,  David began working with eight men in a small house in Cornelia, Georgia and Miracles Happen Recovery Residence was born.  Knowledgeable of and committed to the support provided by Twelve Step Programs, the early program was based on principles set forth in the Steps and Traditions.  

Always one to commit fully to his endeavors, David soon recognized that he could provide better and more accessible services by further training in the substance abuse counseling field.  In his first year of operation, David began training to become a Certified Addiction Counselor I, which he attained in 2016.  He also contacted the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles and was put in contact with the Department of Community Supervision.  Miracles Happen Recovery Residence became a THOR (Transitional Housing for Offender Reentry) approved Recovery Residential program in 2010 and has remained THOR approved since that time.  David is also a level II Certified Anger Management Specialist and is a Certified Shoplifting Prevention Specialist.

In 2010 the opportunity arose for David to expand the number of residents he could serve by moving Miracles Happen to Toccoa, Georgia.  From 2009 through March 2019 Miracles Happen operated as a sole proprietorship.  In April of 2019, Miracles Happen Recovery Residence incorporated and became an IRS designated non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity.  Our landlord, Helping Hands Ministries, generously donated the Toccoa property and facility to Miracles Happen Recovery Residence in early 2020.  

Under David’s leadership, Miracles Happen Recovery Residence grew from serving eight men to 24 men at the Toccoa facility.  And yet, we are not complete.  In April of 2021, David and his wife purchased a 6,400 square foot facility, also located in Toccoa, to renovate and provide services for approximately 35 additional residents.
Through his quiet strength and caring wisdom, David is a visionary leader who is dedicated to serving the underserved population of men suffering from the brutalities of addiction.  In his 25th year of recovery, David is the heart and soul of Miracles Happen Recovery Residence.

BARBARA KESLER, CIT
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Married to David since April 24, 1998, and with a heart for service, Barbara has provided support for David and Miracles Happen Recovery Residence since its founding in 2009.  Barbara is a cum laude graduate of Georgia State University with a BBA in accounting.  After working for a CPA firm and for publicly traded companies for ten years, Barbara found her true calling as a public servant in local government management for 21 years.  Upon her retirement from public service in August of 2019, Barbara came aboard full time to assist with the future of Miracles Happen Recovery Residence.  

Barbara hit the ground running and helped Miracles Happen obtain certification from the Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GARR) and the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR) in 2020.  Her experience with facilities construction and expansion was put to work to find the most feasible option to expand the service capabilities of Miracles Happen.  After researching and determining that building a new building at the current location on Mitchell Street would not be a viable option, Barbara found a commercial building located on Stephen Circle that could be renovated for expansion.  In April of 2021, David and Barbara purchased the building and she began working on the renovation.  

While Barbara provides the financial and administrative leadership for Miracles Happen, she is also pursuing education to become a Certified Addiction Counselor II.  In her second year of training, she focuses her efforts on helping the residents with the practical aspects of living a productive and responsible life.  By providing information and training on banking, credit, savings, budgeting, and financial goal setting Barbara has helped our graduates to become property owners and reliable providers for their families.  A tough, no-nonsense, businesslike attitude has resulted in the residents fondly referring to Barbara as “the Warden.”

Barbara is a dynamic and results-driven leader who is always the first to praise any accomplishment.  Also in her 25th year of recovery, Barbara’s positive mindset and willingness to achieve any challenge has helped to elevate the level of services provided at Miracles Happen.

Josh Kesler
RESIDENCE MANAGER

Josh joined the staff of Miracles Happen Recovery Residence in November of 2020.  In his second year of recovery, Josh provides guidance to the residents after regular business hours and ensures that residents attend all of the support meetings on their weekly schedules.  

Josh gained experience as a resident leader at Bridges of Hope while completing their program and transitioning to a staff position.

Josh has quickly acclimated to the Miracles Happen Recovery Residence environment providing a stable and positive influence for the residents.  He takes recovery seriously and has a straightforward approach to helping our residents stay on the path to recovery.  Josh has become an integral part of the Miracles Happen Team.  His fresh approach and new ideas have facilitated program improvements.