Inspiring Speakers at the Peer Recognition Event by A. Miryam Israel

Justin, Pam and Alfonso

I was fortunate to attend the Peer Recognition event in Miami, Florida on November 18th, 2015, because I got to listen to empowering messages from successful Peer Specialists.

I heard from long time Peer Specialist, Alfonso Ruiz, now the Consumer Relations Specialist of Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC); and also Justin Volpe, known to many for his public speaking skills and his work as a Peer Specialist with the Jail Diversion Project. The audience was favored with a heartfelt address from Pam Ford, the Peer Services Manager of South Florida Behavioral Health Network (SFBHN).

Then Clarence Office, a committed Peer Specialist who works with his fellow Veterans, reminded us all to be grateful for how far we have come. And the Honorable Judge Steve Leifman, earned much applause as he spoke about the role Peers Specialists in recovery and the need to hire more. Special guest speaker, Cindy Schwartz was motivating and inspiring in her presentation on the importance of recovery.

What a wonderful opportunity to hear from such giants in our local Recovery Community. We all left with a renewed sense of hope and dedication to the important work of recovery. Truly, "recovery matters"!