Travis Bishop Earns His CPRS Certification — A Win Worth Celebrating
At Voices of Hope Maryland, we get to witness something powerful over and over again: people turning pain into purpose, and struggle into strength. Today, we’re proud to celebrate Travis Bishop, who has officially achieved his Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification.
Travis didn’t stumble into this work by accident. His path to peer support was built through lived experience, hard choices, and a mindset that refuses to quit. And now, that determination has led him to a milestone that reflects not just a credential—but a commitment to helping others find their way out of the darkness.
Where Travis’ Journey Began
Travis shared that the earliest part of his recovery journey started while he was incarcerated. For many, incarceration can be a place where hope feels far away. But for Travis, it became the place where something shifted—where he made a real decision to change his life.
And he didn’t describe it like a vague “I wanted better.” He broke it down with clarity and conviction using one word that says everything:
W.A.R. — Willing. Able. Ready.
Travis explains that what led him to becoming a peer was the conscientious decision that he was ready for W.A.R.:
Willing — willing to put in the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional work to change his life and instill hope in others.
Able — able to tackle addiction and stop allowing drugs and alcohol to control him, grounded in his mental fortitude and support from family.
Ready — ready to practice abstinence and stop waiting for the “perfect” moment, because there was no better time than now.
That mindset matters. Because recovery isn’t built on talk—it’s built on action. Travis chose action.
A Peer in the Making Before He Ever Joined Our Team
Before Travis ever came to Voices of Hope, he was already on his own path toward becoming a CPRS. He didn’t wait for someone to hand him an opportunity—he went out and started building his future himself.
He pursued education and training around peer work on his own accord. He stayed determined. He stayed persistent. He kept sharpening his skills, learning the field, and preparing for the day he could fully step into this role.
That kind of drive is rare. And it’s exactly the kind of heart and discipline that makes someone a powerful peer.
What He Brought With Him — And What He Gained
Travis shared that one of the skills he believed he already had before the program was being:
authentic, relatable, gritty, and empathetic.
And that’s real. People can feel when someone is just repeating lines versus speaking from lived truth. Travis brings a grounded presence—one that helps others feel seen without being judged.
Through the CPRS program, he also gained a skill that’s essential in peer work and in life:
being an attentive and reflective listener.
That’s not just “hearing” someone—it’s listening with intention, reflecting back what matters, and creating space for people to figure out their next right step.
Quotes That Hit Home — and Tell the Story
Travis shared two quotes that stay on his mind, and honestly… they’re the kind of truth that can change a life if you really live by them:
“Anything lost can be found, EXCEPT TIME wasted.”
“Nothing changes, IF nothing changes.”
Those words carry the kind of urgency recovery requires. They speak to accountability, to moving forward, and to refusing to stay stuck.
Why We’re Proud
Travis’ achievement isn’t just about passing a training or receiving a certificate. It’s about the work he put in to become the kind of person who can turn around and help someone else survive their hardest season.
It has been an honor to have Travis as part of our team. He represents what Voices of Hope is all about: showing up, doing the work, and using lived experience to light the path for others.
Congratulations, Travis. Your growth is inspiring, your grit is real, and your impact as a CPRS is only getting started. We’re proud of you—and we’re grateful you’re here.
Want to learn more about our CPRS training program or peer support services?
Stay connected with Voices of Hope Maryland and follow along as we continue uplifting stories of transformation, strength, and recovery in action.
