Richard Darone – Recovery Advocate & Founder of the 12 Journeys Framework
Richard Darone is a dedicated recovery advocate, mentor, and educator with a mission
to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild fulfilling lives. With years of
experience supporting people on their healing journeys, Richard developed the 12
Journeys Framework, a holistic approach to recovery that integrates physical
wellness, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual growth, and community connection.
Drawing from multiple recovery pathways—including certifications in12-Step programs,
the Red Road of Wellbriety, SMART Recovery, and trauma-informed care. As well
as Parenting, Victims, Impact and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention. Richard hold
certification in 11 different modalities from, UCLA, UC San Diego, and the
University of Cincinnati Addiction Programs. Richard recognizes that no single
approach works for everyone. His work blends evidence-based recovery
strategies with practical life skills, cultural identity, and personal empowerment to
create a sustainable path to long-term healing.

Richard’s approach is rooted in compassion, understanding, and real-life
experience. He provides workshops, mentorship, and community support to help
individuals build resilience, restore relationships, and discover their purpose
beyond addiction. Through his leadership, many have found strength in the 12
Journeys Framework, learning to navigate recovery with clarity, confidence, and
connection.

Whether guiding someone through early recovery, helping families heal, or
building supportive communities, Richard’s work is about more than sobriety—it
is about transforming lives.

Richard Darone – Recovery Advocate, Event Coordinator & Founder of the 12
Journeys Framework

Richard Darone is a passionate recovery advocate, mentor, and event coordinator
committed to helping individuals break free from addiction and rebuild meaningful lives.
As the founder of the 12 Journeys Framework, Richard has developed a holistic,
person-centered approach to recovery, integrating physical wellness, emotional
balance, mental clarity, spiritual growth, and community engagement to create
lasting change.

His work blends evidence-based strategies with practical life skills, cultural identity, and
purpose-driven healing to support individuals in every stage of their journey.
Beyond direct recovery work, Richard is also deeply involved in charity initiatives and
event coordination through The Being Movement, an organization dedicated to
uplifting communities through acts of service, education, and advocacy. He has led

fundraisers, awareness campaigns, and large-scale recovery events, bringing
people together to share stories, find support, and build stronger, healthier communities.
Richard’s work is about more than just sobriety—it is about empowerment,
connection, and transformation. Whether mentoring individuals, organizing impactful
recovery events, or creating spaces for healing and growth, he remains dedicated to
helping people find their purpose and thrive beyond addiction.

Unicorn Tattoo

A natural problem solver, motivated by challenges we face, Eleanor Brennan  represents resilient spirit of small business and creative capital. Her business, Unicorn Tattoo is located in the heart of downtown Sonora.

There you can find Eleanor tattooing, painting, or consulting about various visual projects.  Celebrating 17 years of tattooing, Eleanor  has a parallel passion for civic engagement. Local representation and advocacy are priority for her and believes it is essential for building a healthy and vibrant community.

She has dedicated her life to build custom images in many forms: tattooing, painting, illustration, and public service campaigns. Eleanor has helped nonprofits and federal agencies to create works that foster stewardship, promote education, and call people to action. In her past residency, she was appointed by the City as Arts Commissioner Chair.  No stranger to City Council halls, Eleanor has a passion for entrepreneurial advocacy and is honored to serve the City of Sonora’s business community with her role as Sonora Chamber Board Member.

Public Policy Advocate
Blue Zones Tuolumne County

Kristi Conforti is the Public Policy Advocate for the Blue Zones Project (BZP) Tuolumne County where she has been collaborating with agencies, organizations, non-profits, and individuals to support initiatives that improve health and wellness for residents in the city and county-wide.   Prior to joining the BZP team, she worked for Sierra Senior Providers, Inc. and the Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Department where she built relationships with various agencies, organizations, and individuals.  Over the past 10 years, Kristi has joined several community groups including the YES Partnership, Tuolumne County Committee on Aging, and EPIC Youth Coalition Steering Committee.

Kristi’s family moved to Tuolumne County when she was 2 years old, and she is a proud graduate of Twain Harte Elementary and Summerville High Schools.  After college, she traveled and lived in four other states before relocating back to California 20 years ago and becoming a City of Sonora resident where she lives with her son and their dog Tank.  When she’s not at BZP or helping in the community, Kristi can be found working in her yard, walking or playing fetch with Tank, making people laugh, or relaxing with a cup of coffee and a good book.

With experience in community collaboration, creative thinking, fundraising, and marketing, Kristi is ready to share her toolbox full of tips and tricks with our team.

Sierra Computer Systems

Biography to come.

Advertising Sales Representative
Union Democrat

Kevin Burkling is the owner & founder of Mountain Echo Sound, a professional audio company that has provided DJ services, lighting & live sound production in Tuolumne County since 2011. As a community-oriented local business owner, he has worked consistently over the past 13yrs with local organizations such as MYACT, FOAC, WATCH, ATCCA, Habitat For Humanity, Blue Zones Project & The Tuolumne County Chamber Of Commerce. Kevin is also currently employed at The Union Democrat, where he’s worked closely with other local business owners as their advertising sales representative since 2018. When he’s not out camping, hiking or kayaking with his wife & their two boys, Kevin can be found performing original music with his band Kitkit Dizzy.

With a family history here in the Mother Lode that dates back to the late 1960’s, his early experience in our community is a dynamic mix of outdoor recreation, enrollment in various school districts (Preschool – College), working for local businesses as a teenager and performing with his band(s) anywhere & everywhere that could host an all-ages audience! After 10yrs working, performing & furthering his education in Santa Cruz County (2001-2011), Kevin returned to his hometown to raise a family, start a business & continue his journey as a performing artist. He considers it a great honor to serve this community as a board member of the Sonora Chamber Of Commerce…

Executive Director
Tuolumne County Arts Alliance

Laurie LIvingston has served as the executive director of Tuolumne County Arts Alliance, ((which is supported by the California Arts Council, our state agency for the arts), for 3 1/2 years.

A life-long learner and artist, she has worked in the film and media industries in Los Angeles, where she grew up.

She studied digital arts and received a masters in electronic visualization from Mississippi State University, later teaching the history of animation to graduate students, and then at CSU Monterey Bay.

When she finds any free time she enjoys reading non-fiction, exploring new media, and keeping up with a dynamic art world particularly where it intersects with performance, installation and puppetry.

Her goals on the board are to support 2nd Saturday Art Night, and to grow relationships that will help shape the arts and culture sector into the economic driver that it can be!

Laurie has been in Sonora for 12 years.

Marketing Consultant
Clarke Broadcasting Corporation

Stephene is a lucky mom of 7 grown children and 12 grandchildren. She is blessed to be 4th Generation Tuolumne County native and fortunate enough to have been a part of a local family business that lasted 45 years. Small Business is the backbone to our local economy, having that experience, she understands what small business means here, and what it takes to keep it going.