Our Founder
Founder’s Message
As someone deeply rooted in the Boston community and passionate about reentry and healing work, I’m committed to walking alongside these young women as they reclaim their narratives.
Ashley Dor, LCSW
Ashley Dor, LCSW
Founder & CEO, Arise Unite Restore Reclaim
My name is Ashley Dor, and I am a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker committed to trauma-informed care, behavioral health, and community-based advocacy. I hold a Master of Social Work and a Certificate in Trauma Practice from Simmons University, and my work centers on serving underserved and justice-involved populations with dignity, compassion, and cultural humility.
The heart behind my nonprofit, Arise Unite Restore Reclaim, was planted in me during childhood. I grew up watching my mother open our home to anyone in need—whether they were hungry, hurting, homeless, or healing. Our house was more than just a home; it was a food pantry, a place of refuge, and a healing space for those navigating deep trauma. My mother fed the sick, clothed the needy, and welcomed the broken-hearted. Her unwavering generosity and service to the community became a living ministry—and I truly believe the Lord is continuing that ministry through me.
Today, I serve as a Clinical Social Worker at Boston Medical Center’s Project Evolve, in collaboration with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. In this role, I provide individual and group therapy to incarcerated individuals, supporting them through challenges related to trauma, substance use, and mental health. My previous work includes providing therapeutic and crisis services through Youth Connect, a collaboration between the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and the Boston Police Department, where I worked with at-risk youth and their families.
My clinical background also includes supporting elderly veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as children and adolescents in school and community settings. I am fluent in Haitian Creole, certified in Psychological First Aid, and trained in evidence-based trauma modalities including TF-CBT and the ARC framework.
At the core of my work is the belief that healing begins in relationships. Whether in correctional settings, hospitals, schools, or community homes, I strive to meet people where they are—and walk alongside them toward where they’re meant to go.
Founder’s Story
Ashley Dor, LCSW, founded ARISE from personal and professional experience — as someone who has worked with systems, families, and youth who are too often failed or forgotten.
Her passion for creating a healing space came from years of listening to girls who said:
“They let me out, but I had nowhere to go.”
“I feel like nobody really cares once you turn 18.”
“I want to do better, but I don’t know where to start.”
Ashley envisioned a place where no girl would ever feel alone again. Where healing isn't just offered — it's lived. Where systems are reimagined through love, cultural competence, and high standards of care.
