Frank Bellanger III - CEO of Starfish Recovery and Wellness

A resident of Richmond, Virginia, Frank Bellanger III has worked in drug recovery and counseling since 2019, first for the McShin Foundation and now as CEO of Starfish Recovery and Wellness. Frank Bellanger III founded Starfish Recovery and Wellness in 2020, an organization that delivers holistic wellness services to clients recovering from substance abuse.

Since launching the recovery program, Mr. Bellanger has expanded the sober living center from seven beds to 74. He oversees the continuous improvement of the facility, implementing activities such as CrossFit, yoga, mindfulness, breathwork, story work, and sound healing since opening the holistic wellness program.

In addition to managing Starfish Recovery and Wellness, Mr. Bellanger is in charge of business development, group facilitation, recovery coaching, and recovery peer support and advocacy. He also is involved with judicial advocacy.

Mr. Bellanger has designed a recovery plan that decreases the incidence of relapse through implementing diverse wellness practices and recovery pathways. The inspiration for this model came from his own recovery experience using the whole person approach. He has previously worked with inmates recovering from addiction in a tri-county regional jail. He also holds multiple certifications in substance use disorder treatment, such as the NADAAC-approved certified recovery coach trainer, certified peer recovery specialist, and forensic peer support specialist designations.