Our News Posts
From Survival to Service: Celebrating Michael Bennett’s Journey to Becoming a Certified CHW
Michael Bennett’s journey to becoming a Certified Community Health Worker is a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and transformation. After facing homelessness, trauma, and barriers to opportunity, Michael chose to turn lived experience into service for others. With support through the Maryland Accredited Community Health Worker Certification Program grant, they were able to pursue certification and step into a path rooted in empathy, advocacy, and hope.
From Lived Experience to Lasting Impact: Celebrating Kasey Sharrow’s CHW Certification
Kasey Sharrow’s journey to becoming a certified Community Health Worker is a powerful story of resilience, recovery, and purpose. Once in a dark place and searching for a way forward, Kasey now uses her lived experience, compassion, and professional training to support others in the community. Her achievement reflects not only hard work and determination, but the life-changing impact of hope, healing, and peer support.
Diana Wesley Earns Her CPRS Certification — A Story of Recovery Turned Into Purpose
Diana Wesley’s CPRS certification isn’t just a credential — it’s proof of what happens when recovery meets determination. After completing treatment and rebuilding her life step by step, Diana entered Voices of Hope Maryland with a mission: turn her lived experience into real hope for others. Through training, volunteer service, and hands-on growth, she didn’t just learn peer support — she became the kind of support people never forget.
Voices of Hope Maryland Selected as a RAMP Grantee to Expand Peer-Led Recovery Services in Cecil and Harford County
We’re honored to share that Voices of Hope Maryland is a RAMP grantee, supporting the expansion of peer-led recovery services and training opportunities across rural communities—powered by Maryland’s Opioid Restitution Fund and focused on turning lived experience into hope and healing. Details: https://governor.maryland.gov/leadership/ltgovernor/news/pages/RAMP.aspx | Program info: https://labor.maryland.gov/employment/ramp/
🎄Holiday Cheer at Our Cecil Women’s Recovery House ✨
Voices of Hope celebrated the holiday season with a heartwarming Christmas party at our Cecil women’s recovery house. The evening was filled with great food, laughter, thoughtful gifts, and meaningful connection as residents came together to celebrate how far they’ve come and the joy of community during the holidays. 🎄💜
Travis Bishop Earns His CPRS Certification — A Win Worth Celebrating
Travis Bishop’s CPRS journey is a straight-up reminder that recovery is built on choices, not wishes. He shared that his path started while he was incarcerated—where he made a conscious decision to change his life and become the kind of person who could instill hope in others. Travis describes his mindset as W.A.R. — Willing, Able, Ready: willing to do the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional work; ready to practice abstinence with no “perfect time” excuses; and able to fight back against addiction with mental fortitude and family support. Even before joining Voices of Hope Maryland, Travis was already investing in peer education on his own, staying determined and persistent. Today, we proudly celebrate his CPRS certification and the authentic, gritty, empathetic leadership he brings to the peer field—grounded in the truth that “Nothing changes, if nothing changes.”
Dawn Hensley Earns Her CPRS Certification — A Journey From Recovery to Calling
Dawn Hensley’s CPRS certification didn’t come from luck—it came from layers of growth, hard choices, and staying committed when it wasn’t comfortable. Her journey started with learning how to show up for her own recovery, and it grew into something bigger: a calling to walk beside others with the kind of support that can only come from lived experience.
From Chaos to Community: Celebrating Kimberly Hamm’s CPRS Certification
Kimberly “Kim” Hamm’s CPRS Certification represents far more than a professional credential—it’s a testament to the work she’s done to rebuild, heal, and step fully into her purpose. With honesty, compassion, and strength, Kim has turned her own recovery journey into a calling to support others with dignity and hope. Her words say it best: “Healing gave me more than stability; it gave me a voice to lift others from the chaos I once knew.”
From Rock Bottom to Purpose: Congratulations to Rachael Astle on Becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS)
Voices of Hope Maryland proudly celebrates Rachael Astle’s achievement of becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). From Workforce Network student to intern to staff, Rachael’s journey is a powerful reminder that recovery builds purpose—and purpose changes lives.
Toys for Tots Drive🎁
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, our Toys for Tots Christmas Toy Drive was a wonderful success. Every donation helped bring joy to children and brighten the holidays for families across our community. Voices of Hope is deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, shared kindness, and helped make this season a little brighter. 💜🎄
🦃 A Heartfelt Thanksgiving 🍂
Our recovery community came together for a warm Thanksgiving Dinner 🍽️💛 filled with connection, gratitude, and hope. Families, friends, volunteers, and peers shared a delicious meal 🍴 and meaningful time together.
A huge thank-you to our sponsors — Cotton’s Silkies, Mid Atlantic Septic, and Bing’s Bake & Brew — for making this special gathering possible. 🥄❤️
Prioritizing Mental Health at Voices of Hope 🧠💜
Voices of Hope welcomed On Our Own of Maryland for a two-day WRAP Basics training, giving our staff meaningful tools to support their own wellness and better assist others on their mental health journeys.
Voices of Hope Baptism 🌿
We recently hosted an Open Baptism at Voices of Hope, led by Harvest Church, and it was a truly uplifting evening. Our community came together in support, celebration, and encouragement as participants took this meaningful step in their journey. The love, hope, and unity shared throughout the event highlighted the strength of our recovery community and made the night unforgettable.
🍽️ Thanksgiving Dinner to Remember🧡
Our recovery community recently came together for a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving-style dinner, filled with connection, gratitude, and hope. Alumni joined us to share their inspiring stories, reminding everyone of the strength and possibility found in recovery. With our Recovery House staff and residents gathered like family, the evening was full of comforting food, heartfelt conversations, and genuine fellowship.
🚒 Honoring Our Local Heroes 🚑
Voices of Hope was honored to sponsor and attend the First Responders Appreciation Night at Sandy Cove, celebrating the brave men and women who serve Cecil County. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, courage, and commitment to keeping our community safe and supported.
😈301 Devil’s Playground 👹
Voices of Hope residents, staff, alumni, and families recently enjoyed a night of spooky, fall-themed fun at 301 Devil’s Playground — a chance to laugh, connect, and make memories together. Moments like these remind us that recovery is about healing, joy, and building community.
🙌 Community Connections in Action! 🙏
Voices of Hope joined local churches and community organizations for a powerful tabling event centered on connection, collaboration, and care. ⛪ Together, we built meaningful relationships with faith leaders passionate about supporting their congregations and learning more about recovery resources. Each conversation brought us one step closer to a stronger, more hopeful community. 🙏
👻 Spooktacular Community Showing!🕸️
Voices of Hope had a spooktacular time at Elkton High School’s Fall Festival and Drug Take Back event! 🍬 We loved connecting with families, sharing resources, and joining in the Halloween fun as one of the featured passport stations. It was a day filled with laughter, community spirit, and plenty of sweet treats! 💜