Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children recently recognized two of its team members for completing the course work to become a certified recovery specialist (CRS). Through the Peer Support Expansion Initiative held by the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Yulanda Myers and Jessica Leighton recently completed the yearlong course that certifies them as peer specialists.

Peer recovery specialists are people who have lived experience and have been through life experiences like the experiences of those they support. They have been successful in personal recovery and have firsthand knowledge of the healing process. While Myers and Leighton each had a unique recovery journey, they both utilized recovery community resources such as sponsors and peer support. Then they were inspired to give back to others who are going through similar substance use or mental health recovery journeys.

Becoming a CRS takes months of classroom learning and achieving at least 18 months of sobriety. Myers also completed an additional certification to become a certified family recovery specialist (CFRS). While a peer support specialist does not substitute or replace treatment with a health care provider when it is needed, he or she can provide a unique layer of support. Both Leighton and Myers are working at Friends Associations' NIA House, a safe home located in Coatesville. In addition to housing, the NIA House program provides supportive services that focus on key factors that impact successful reentry for women's economic empowerment, long-term housing, healing from trauma, health and well-being, peer support, and family reunification. The program also includes a leadership development program to develop women into future leaders to act on issues impacting their lives.

Friends Association is a Chester County 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on solutions to family homelessness. The organization's programs focus on four key areas: preventing homelessness, providing emergency shelter, partnering with families to support their stability, and promoting systemic change.

For more information, visit http://www.friendsassoc.org.