Mrs. Hartwell is a lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio. Mrs. Hartwell has faced many adversities, which she has met head-on to change the course of her life. Mrs. Hartwell’s battles included: alcohol and drug addiction, lack of work history/skills, high school drop-out and a single parent. Mrs. Hartwell’s course of life would change after entering 12 inpatient alcohol and drug treatment facilities and a spiritual awakening. Mrs. Hartwell became an active member in a 12-step recovery program and recovery support system. Due to her families unwavering family support and prayers, Mrs. Hartwell attended North Evening Night School and obtained her high school diploma at the age of 30. Mrs. Hartwell decided to pursue her dream to enter college to gain a college degree to move from the welfare system to becoming a meaningful and employed member of society. Mrs. Hartwell received an Associate of Applied Science in Community Services with a special emphasis in chemical dependency, in 1997. She continued on in pursuit of her undergraduate degree from The University of Akron, in which she received a Bachelors of Science in Technical Education in 2001. Mrs. Hartwell also received her Master of Science in Community Counseling from The University of Akron in 2005.

Mrs. Hartwell began in the field of social services in 1997 when she began interning and gained employment in the field of chemical dependency. Her professional background has been devoted to working with a diverse group of men, women, and children who have fallen prey to the same adversities that she has overcome. Mrs. Hartwell’s employment history includes working in the Criminal Justice/Community Corrections field with men and women with addiction issues. However, she decided to change her career path after completing her degree in counseling to work in the mental health field, specifically with individuals who are diagnosed with Co-Occurring disorders, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and chemical dependency. Mrs. Hartwell’s passion for working with people who suffer from addiction, led her to the vision of Freedom House for Women, Inc in 2003. Mrs. Hartwell sought out professional educators in various diverse professional backgrounds who assisted in developing and outlining a program to assist individuals who are affected by this insidious disease which often leads to homelessness, displacement of families, incarceration and even death. In October 2007, Mrs. Hartwell, the Founder & CEO of Freedom House for Women, Inc. and the Board of Directors were blessed to see her vision become a reality in which the organization was able to open their doors for services to the community, to provide addiction services and other supportive intervention services to adults to prevent homelessness.

• Awards: Ohio Black Women Leadership Caucus -Akron Chapter 2008
• Certificates: Alcohol Support Services
• Certification: Bridges Out of Poverty Trainer
• Certification: Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor
• Certification: Recovery Coach Trainer/Coach
• Professional Affiliations: Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society
• Professional Licensure: Ohio Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor

Ashley is a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) at Freedom House for Women. Ashley works with adults who have a substance abuse diagnosis, providing outpatient aftercare, relapse prevention, group counseling, individual counseling, and performs assessments for potential clients looking to receive services. She received her chemical dependency counseling license in 2018 from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board. Ashley graduated with honors from Xavier University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Additionally, Ashley also graduated with honors from Kent State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While receiving her Psychology degree from Kent State, Ashley completed an internship at Freedom House for Women, and was a group facilitator in our life skills courses and case management. Aside from group and individual counseling, Ashley assists in the areas of but not limited to nursing health care services, group facilitation, case management, and administrative duties.