About Us

Kalena Rodriguez founded “Built to Recover '' in 2021, two years after founding and creating K. Project Freedom DBA. The Recovery Spot a 501(C)(3) and “Lift The Yard” (a program serving and supporting Colorado state prisons through Love recovery and a holistic approach to re-entry for juveniles and adults) in 2018. Kalena Rodriguez, the visionary founder of K. Project Freedom emerged as a beacon of resilience and advocacy after a transformative journey. Governor Polis has invited Kalena to actively engage in multiple forums focused on recovery and justice reform. Kalena will contribute her expertise to leadership development, bridging the gap of re-entry, and serving on the normalization board. Additionally, she will play a crucial role in training incoming correction officers on gender sensitivity and will serve as a key member of the G.R.A.C.E committee. Kalena's role influenced the change that is seen today in the prison system including the Beacon Center at Skyline. Kalena holds a white badge with an employee ID number associated with it, this allows her to walk in and out of any prison in the state of Colorado. Kalena is contributing to the development of the “Parenting from Behind Bars Guide” with the Colorado Justice Reform Coalitions. She is a proud mother of four biological boys and an extra son God brought her 3 years ago. Kalena was crowned as 2021/2022 IUM Ms. Colorado, now recognized as a public figure and dedicated her platform to the cause of Recovery and Justice Reform. She is a highly qualified and dedicated professional with a diverse set of skills and a strong educational background. She earned her High School Diploma from Littleton High School in 2006. Building upon her educational foundation, Kalena pursued 2 years of studies in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Tomball Community College in Houston, Texas, showcasing her interest and expertise in these crucial fields. Kalena has continued her passion and education to become a Certified Addiction Specialist. Kalena's professional journey has been marked by specialized training and certifications that highlight her commitment to making a positive impact. Her qualifications encompass certifications in, crisis response, gender responsiveness, tactical defense, Intensive outpatient treatment, anger management, moral reconation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, ethical training, ORPC training, case management, HIPAA, mandated reporter, and CFI paralegal/case manager. As a Clinical Intern, previous OrangeTheory Coach/personal trainer, Certified Peer and Family Support Coach, Kalena, having triumphed over trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges, has channeled her experiences into the creation of a dynamic program meticulously tailored to individual needs. This initiative, designed with profound empathy, serves as a testament to her commitment to healing on a personal level. Kalena actively collaborates with other successful ex-offenders and community volunteers, venturing back into prison environments armed with her lived experiences. Through her unique approach, she endeavors to mend the minds and bodies of the Colorado community, embodying the essence of Built To Recover. Her life's purpose unfolds in action, as she passionately engages in the restoration of lives, leveraging her own journey to bring about positive change and exemplifying the core mission – the unwavering commitment to helping others and love.