The Magic of Peer Support
We’re SO excited to welcome Heather Hopper as our new Peer Support Specialist!
Heather Hopper brings you the magic of Peer Support
We all have our journeys in life; our successes and our failures. Over a year ago, I entered a new chapter of my journey and became a member of the Recovery Resources Holistic Coaching Program. I was navigating through one of the most difficult periods of life I’d ever experienced. Sharing openly with other members of the program, being given mindfulness tools, discovering my authentic voice and being courageously vulnerable in a safe, non-judgemental environment was, and continues to be, a game changer for me.
After making great strides in the Coaching Program, I was introduced to the idea of becoming a Peer Support Specialist.
Intuitively, I knew that was the direction I was being called to go. The opportunity to step up and help others navigate the process of recovery and resilience, and to deepen healthier community connections, seemed to fulfill the yearning for a greater purpose that I’d been experiencing in my own journey of growth.
One of the guidelines for being a Peer Support Specialist is lived experience and intentionality.
I have dealt and grappled with depression, grief, trauma and a depth of substance abuse conditions within my family, loved ones and self. Navigating these experiences has given me such a valuable perspective, and a lens of compassion that helps me show up for other people with real empathy for what they’re going through.
Recently I have completed both the Colorado and National Peer Support Specialist trainings.
In these programs I learned not only the skills needed to embody the role of a Peer Supporter, but also knowledge that will serve me to be a better human. The value of hope and listening was one of my greatest takeaways. Another was using strength-based language and an open mind to help people feel safe, heard and supported 100%. From this foundation, I can empower people to create positive change in their lives and help them advocate for their needs.
"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Winnie the Pooh
To inspire others to be kinder to themselves and to recognize their own inner strengths feels authentically aligned with who I am and what I feel passionate about. So does helping people create new pathways to heal, recover and realize their goals and dreams.
I am excited to begin my practice as a Peer Support Specialist with Recovery Resources!
I am here for YOU. If you would like to connect with me to be supported, cultivate your recovery process and thrive; I would be deeply honored to be your ally and advocate. Please reach out by booking a call below, filling out our online connection form or by emailing me at heatherh@recoveryresourcescolorado.org.
“I now see that owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” -Brene Brown
If you are curious about becoming a Peer Support Specialist, please email Nicole at Building Hope for the Colorado Peer Support Volunteer certification: nicole@buildinghopesummit.org, or look into the Colorado Mental Wellness Network’s program: https://cmwn.org/recovery-education/peer-support-professional/ for the National Peer Support Specialist certification training.
Written by Heather Hopper, Recovery Resources Executive Assistant and Peer Support Specialist
