I began working at the Jude House when I had just two years clean. It was the start of a journey I never imagined I could take — working toward becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. At the time, I didn’t think I had it in me. But while pursuing that certification, I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter. And still, I kept going.

The Jude House believed in me when I didn’t yet believe in myself. They gave me the courage to keep pushing forward. After going on maternity leave, I was offered a position that allowed me to work from home two days a week — in the very field I’m most passionate about: Harm Reduction.

Today, I work at the Charles County Department of Health for the LBHA as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist focused on Harm Reduction. I help people who are walking the same path I once did. I get to be a friend when someone feels completely alone. I offer compassion, not judgment. I offer love, not shame. I meet people exactly where they are — and my only hope is to help keep them alive, healthy, and one day inspired to create a life they can be proud of, just like I did.

My life today is truly beyond my wildest dreams. I now have 4½ years clean, and every day I’m filled with gratitude for this journey and for the guidance of a Higher Power that never left my side.

Thank you especially to The Jude House for being the foundation that started this beautiful journey. I am truly blessed. 🥹 

I started my journey working in treatment in 2023 early on I realized I really enjoyed interacting with people who struggle being in active addiction and trying to do things differently. I had talked with my sponsor about the possibility of becoming a Peer as I wanted to advance in the field and I became determined I wanted to advance my skills that’s when I came across a email for a recovery coach Academy offered by the house of Jude. I was so excited about the class and the affordable rate that I called Michelle to make SURE the price was accurate 

Fast forward to my classes I found them to be packed with information these classes I took really help me start to understand so much especially about “ My lane “ and the stages of change that really gave me the ability to have a better understanding about where one’s thought process is . I can’t say enough about ethics !! I loved it that class was a total game changer with how I learned to interact with my Peers on a professional level 

Today  I was just hired work at Harbor Hospital and completed my first week and the skills I learned with House of Jude I literally use all day as I am a Overdose Survivor Outreach Coach

 ( OSOP ) I am so grateful for this opportunity and I am so grateful that The Jude House made a single mom like me able to take the classes . If you’re on the fence just do it !! You won’t regret it 

I started my journey in June of 2017. I made the decision to get clean. During the past 8 years of recovery, I have made tremendous changes to my life. I was awarded sole custody of my children, I got my license back for the first time in over ten years, I got my high school diploma. And I found my purpose.  I want to help the next addict be able to get the help they need and help them during the process. I just received my CPRS and I enrolled in CSM to work towards my ADT. None of this would of been possible without The Jude House. I started working for The Jude House in Feb of 2024. I have worked hard and had amazing support from my co-workers. I have grown in the field, and I have grown in my job. I take a look at where I came from to where I am now, and I have The Jude House to thank for it. Even before I started working here, I was always coming here to bring a meeting in. I am honored to be part of this program as it has helped me in more ways than I ever imagined. I am looking forward to seeing what my future has in store for me as I continue to grow in this field that so many of us are passionate about. 

​From entering treatment at the Jude House to becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, my journey has been one of transformation and purpose. While in treatment, I committed to my recovery and took advantage of every opportunity available — including completing CPRS training and becoming certified. After successfully graduating the program and completing drug court, I came home determined to give back. I landed a job as a Recovery Coach at Pyramid Healthcare, where I completed my 500 peer support hours and officially became a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I’ve even had the honor of attending the World NA Convention, a powerful reminder of the global recovery community. I am deeply grateful for the foundation the Jude House gave me, and I proudly serve as a member of my community, supporting others in recovery and helping them find hope, just as I did.

The Jude House peer support program has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. Walking in, I never thought I would one day walkout not just stronger, but with the purpose and passion to help others as a Peer Support Specialist. This journey hasn’t just been about personal healing—it’s been about transformation, growth, and finding a path I never knew was possible for me.

I found my voice, my confidence, and most importantly, my calling. Becoming a Peer Support Specialist has given me a sense of direction and meaning that I had been missing. I’ve learned how to turn my experiences, both the painful and powerful—into something that can support and uplift others. Being in a position where I can now give back, hold space for someone else, and help guide them on their own journey is one of the greatest honors of my life.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for those who helped me believe in myself. Thank you for seeing something in me before I saw it in myself. You haven’t just changed my life. You’ve helped me find a way to change others’ lives too.

Thank you,

Malik Mines

Growing up in an abusive household with parents who struggled with alcoholism and a minor opioid problem was a challenging journey that led me to teen pregnancy and addiction. I learned how to adapt without proper guidance as a young girl. My life was full of deception, disappointment, and shame. My past taught me not to show emotions shaping me into constant survival mode. As I depended more on marijuana & alcohol at the starting age of "14". It helped suppress my triggers from past trauma and run from emotions such as sadness, anger, and fear. When I had my daughters at 15/16 I slipped deeper into depression with a sense of paranoia that my kids would be taken due to being a young mother so I quit drinking and started prioritizing  my life to assure my daughters wouldn't feel what I felt but at times depression would overcome me which cause me to self medicate. Through the course of years I never took accountability of my wrong doing as I justified everything that  worked for me even if it was negative actions. Eventually I got tired of the same results within myself mentally feeling that life was passing me by so I tried a more holistic  approach within my  recovery being more honest with myself, meditating, and speaking more positive thoughts over my life. I believe advocating what's right when it comes to anything that triggers me along with reading psalms 120 daily gives me great balance that I've  maintained for years. The start of my give back was teaching my daughters the strength in spirituality and how I've overcome addiction within selfcare by working on my mind, body, and spirit keeps me in a peaceful mindframe that urges me to help others in need of a push to reach their greatness.