Michael Satterfield
Director of Program Development
Designs and oversees implementation of all recovery and housing programs; ensures trauma-informed, peer-led, and evidence-based practices; coordinates program evaluation, compliance, and reporting.
Michael Satterfield was born into a military family in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Much of his early childhood was spent in Germany until his parents divorced when he was eight years old. He then moved to Georgia, where he lived until age fifteen. During this period, Michael experienced significant instability, such as abuse, multiple juvenile arrests, child protective services involvement, and substance use. From ages fifteen to seventeen, he lived in several group homes in New Jersey, followed by a period of homelessness from eighteen to twenty-one.
On April 1, 2006, at age twenty-one, Michael was arrested and later convicted of armed robbery. At the time, he was unhoused, struggling with severe substance use disorder, and coping with complex PTSD. His incarceration, which lasted until he turned thirty, became the place where Michael rediscovered the ability to hope and imagine a different future. While incarcerated, he earned his GED, worked as a teacher’s aide, and participated in NJ-STEP and the Mountain View Program. These experiences opened the door to education as a transformative path forward.
After his release, Michael completed his Associate’s degree at Mercer County Community College and transferred to Rutgers University, where he graduated with honors. His academic accomplishments included publishing essays with the Harvard Educational Review, participating in the McNair Scholars Program, and presenting at national symposiums. These achievements allowed him to be recognized for his ideas rather than defined by his past. Initially intending to pursue a PhD in Philosophy or English, Michael supported himself by working as a technician at a substance use facility while applying to graduate programs.
Two months after his graduation, Michael’s older brother, James “Jake” Satterfield, died from a heroin overdose. This loss profoundly reshaped his priorities and inspired him to redirect his path from academia to direct service in the recovery field. He joined the Peer Recovery Program, where he worked with individuals navigating substance use disorders and later expanded into co-occurring mental health care. His work emphasized integrated, person-centered support for people facing complex challenges.
Michael’s journey within the RWJ-Somerset hospital system began in June 2018, when he was hired as a Peer Recovery Specialist, working collaboratively with LSWs and LCSWs. This role ignited his passion for social work and laid the groundwork for his future clinical path. In the same year he began his MSW program, he transitioned into his field placement on the Behavioral Health Unit at RWJ-Somerset, facilitating groups and deepening his clinical skills in mental health and co-occurring disorders.
Since May 2024, Michael has served as a Crisis Professional in the Emergency Department Crisis Center at RWJ-Somerset. In this role, he integrates his clinical training with his lived experience to support individuals in acute psychiatric distress, demonstrating a grounded, compassionate, and trauma-informed approach to crisis intervention.
In July 2025, Michael founded Sanctuary Grove, a nonprofit dedicated to building a sustainable, inclusive recovery community. Its mission centers on supporting individuals in early recovery, particularly those experiencing housing instability, incarceration, stigma, or complex trauma, through harm reduction, peer leadership, trauma-informed practices, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Sanctuary Grove currently hosts weekly All-Recovery Meetings and is developing long-term frameworks for recovery housing and community-based support, aiming to create a model of recovery rooted in dignity, empowerment, and belonging.
Throughout his personal and professional evolution, Michael has maintained stability, growth, and unwavering dedication. He completed his MSW, sustained consistent employment, and continues to be an active, devoted father. His life embodies resilience, transformation, and the belief that healing happens in community. Today, his work reflects a powerful integration of experience, insight, and service; a commitment to offering others the hope and opportunity he once fought to find for himself.
Jay Bakman
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Oversees strategic planning, partnership development, land acquisition, and sustainability initiatives; cultivates relationships with funders, housing agencies, and local government partners.
Jay graduated from Kean University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science dual degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After working for several years in the field of mental health, Jay pursued a Master of the Arts degree in Child Advocacy and Policy at Montclair State University in 2024. Jay will complete their Masters degree in May of 2026, and will simultaneously complete the Partners in Policymaking certification from the Boggs Center on Disabilities and Human Development through RWJ Medical School. In the final year of their Masters, Jay became a Pre-Law student and is currently pursuing applying to law schools to focus on disability and social justice law. Jay has spent countless hours dedicated to learning about mental health in various areas through education and policy, and has worked as a direct provider with children and adults in multiple settings. Jay has worked under DCF in several roles including being a Care Manager, Care Coordinator, and advocate. Personally, Jay is a parent of three neurodivergent children, and a bonus parent to three stepchildren that bring Jay peace and inspiration.
Brandon Reese
Director of Community Outreach
Develops and maintains digital and in-person outreach; builds partnerships with LGBTQ+ and reentry advocacy groups; manages communications, marketing, and community engagement efforts.
A dedicated community advocate and business professional, Brandon Reese is passionate about empowering others and making a difference. After overcoming the challenges of re-entering society following a lengthy incarceration stemming from a car accident at the age of 18, Brandon has transformed his personal hardships into a platform for growth and outreach.
With a background in online business management and operations, Brandon has honed his skills in strategic planning, team leadership, and building strong, meaningful relationships. He is currently channeling his expertise into the cosmetics manufacturing industry while also leading efforts at Sanctuary Grove to create supportive, inclusive spaces for those in need.
Brandon’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of second chances, as he continues to advocate for individuals overcoming obstacles, offering hope, and fostering a sense of community.