Highlighting some experiences from participants, partners, and employers involved with Pathways to Recovery Program.
BLESSED Ministries Inc. (BMI)
“BMI has produced a high level of success in the placement industry by focusing on establishing clear goals, measurable objectives, and defined performance benchmarks… In connection with job placement, through our network of partners and collaborators, BMI is able to provide supplemental services to support our participants, including comprehensive case management, employment training, soft skills development, computer literacy, and peer-to-peer mentoring.”
The work we do is challenging, but in the best way. Many are fighting a battle that is often invisible. I love that I can honestly say to the people we serve that we understand where they are coming from and that we can help them to get to where they want to be. I’ve witnessed many people transform before my eyes while working with our Peer Recovery Employment Specialists. Through individualized employment planning, training, and ongoing support, it has been a joy to witness their success.
I personally enjoy every minute and second of my job at the Mental Health Association as a Peer Recovery Specialist. When people come in for our services and tell their story, I enjoy listening. I take all of their story in, personally. Once they tell their story and the describe the services they are looking for, my wheels start turning. My personal experiences with clients have been incredible. Their transformations while being a part of our family here are amazing to watch. I feel that the personal assistance we give to clients helps them in more than one way. People go through different challenges and need help.
The ReWork program of Camden County has been awesome. It’s a program that I would recommend to anyone in recovery, looking to better their life through employment and training. It has always been my dream to become a peer recovery specialist. ReWork has helped to make my dream come to life. Through the program, I was not only able to complete my CPRS/CARES certification course, but was also able to find a job, where I am now accumulating my 500 training hours to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. ReWork assisted me with getting a job interview at Victory Bay Recovery Center where, I was hired to work full-time as a technician. It is so rewarding to be able to help individuals who are also in recovery. I am so thankful to the ReWork program. They continue to provide me with support, and have been instrumental to my success.
I came into the Pathways to Recovery program in April of 2022, freshly out of treatment for drugs and alcohol. I didn’t have any family left, or much of a support system to speak of. Therefore for me, I knew that getting back to work was my pathway to a stable living situation, and making a sustainable life for myself. Unfortunately, I had a checkered employment history and had been terminated from multiple positions while I was in my active addiction. Also, having spent nine years in prison, I felt ill prepared to re-enter the workforce. I was lucky enough to have Danielle Yeager as a case manager, as she immediately offered me employment assistance, and suggested that we focus on my strengths. I had no idea what was available to me, and she suggested that we start with a resume, because I needed to return to work, in order to get stable housing. She also informed me that the ReWork program would be able to help me with transportation. After finishing a resume, we remained in regular contact as she provided career related assistance. She continuously followed up with me to ask about the progress on my job search, and living situation. Without the resume and bus passes, I would have never been able to find the job I did. I have currently moved up in my job, to a position of responsibility. Also, in my role, I am entrusted to make sure all the others are accomplishing their goals at work. The ReWork Program provided me with the job readiness skills necessary for me to be successful in my new job. I continue to be grateful to Danielle Yeager for providing with me continuous career counseling. Because of the ReWork program and Danielle Yeager, I am doing well in my life. I now have a stable housing situation, and a career path that supports my new healthy life style. NOTE: **Pathways to Recovery is known as ReWork in Camden County
Everyone in the Pathways program is terrific to work with. They gave me the confidence to explore employment choices outside my comfort zone and have the confidence in myself to know I can excel at those choices. Pathways has led me to pursue an entirely new career path. Being involved with the Pathways program has been a wonderful experience.
I am just writing to you to let you know what a great impact Mike L. has had on me and my work as a Peer. He has always been very encouraging as well as knowledgeable. Mike L. gives me hope for my future and that is an indispensable quality. I really love MHANJ and everyone I have had any contact with in the past few years has been amazing!
I met MAHNJ at a recovery event that was held through Integrity House. I was quickly referred to my mentor Thom who has walked me through the process of integrating me into the MAHNJ family step by step. I always feel confident in what I am learning, prepared for helping others, and hopeful that I am making a difference in someone else’s life.
I learned a lot from my Peer Recovery Employment Specialist, Bibiana Luna-Rojas. She was very well educated and professional. She helped me have a better understanding on ways to make better choices for my wellbeing. Very resourceful and an all-around great case manager.
Meet CH., a New Jersey Certified Peer Recovery Specialist who matriculated through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Opioid Recovery Employment Program, Pathways to Recovery Initiative with BLESSED Ministries, Inc. (BMI), a performance-based workforce development organization. After CH completed her 500 internship hours toward certification, she was immediately hired full-time by Integrity House, one of New Jersey’s largest treatment facilities for addiction. Within 5 months of hire, CH was promoted from a Peer Recovery Specialist to a Behavioral Health Outreach worker. CH is so overjoyed by the opportunity presented to her by Labor and BMI as she continues to fulfill her personal passion and mission in life: to be an exemplary peer to those challenged by addiction. Congratulations CH, keep up the good work.
In 2021, there were over 3,000 suspected overdose deaths in New Jersey. 87% of those deaths (approximately 2,600) involved opioids.