Niles Comer, M.A.
Executive Director
Niles has spent his professional and personal life working for and alongside those at the margins of society – the addicted, the homeless, and the disenfranchised – in both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. His professional experiences include being the CEO of an internet company, nonprofit executive director, addictions counselor, HIV social worker, recovery center manager, government trainer/educator, community development specialist, and social entrepreneur.
He has over 30 years of experience with human services, community change, social impact, and healing movements. His expertise encompasses nonprofit leadership, recovery services development/delivery, creating Housing that Heals, community wellness, enterprise development, and organizational development.
He has deep personal and professional knowledge of addiction, recovery, mental health, trauma, homelessness, spiritual development, community renewal, and the impacts of poverty.
Niles received his B.A. from Vermont College of Norwich University and his M.A. from Claremont Lincoln University, where he focused on community-based social impact. He has been trained as an addictions counselor and a peer recovery specialist.
Niles is pursuing his Ed.D. at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville focusing on Enterprise Leadership.
Niles is also a person in long-term recovery from addiction.
He can be reached at niles@dayspringfdn.org
Our Staff
Amanda Patterson, QP, CPSS
Medicaid Care Navigator, Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
Amanda is an Asheville native who has worked as a Certified Peer Support Specialist for eight years. Before Dayspring Foundation, she worked on a Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team with DHHS, supporting families struggling with Substance Use. She has also spent several years before that working on an Assertive Community Treatment Team.
Amanda’s personal and professional experience has provided her the opportunity to walk alongside people who are at their darkest place in life and offer them hope, support, and encouragement. Amanda feels that meeting people exactly where they are and being trauma-informed are important assets when supporting people on their recovery journey.
Amanda’s passion for serving others has driven her to further her education, and she is currently completing her B.S.W. at Mars Hill University.
In Amanda’s free time, she enjoys exploring nature, creating art, supporting her daughter in sports, and spending time with her adult children, grandchildren, and furry children.
Amanda can be reached at amanda@dayspringfdn.org
Rebekah Karner, CADC
Care Navigator, Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
Originally from Hickory, North Carolina, Beka relocated to Asheville many years ago to begin her recovery journey.
Beka has been a Peer Support Specialist working in Asheville for over 4 years.
Beka holds certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and she has a degree in Human Services.
Rebekah can be reached at rebekah@dayspringfdn.org
