Sep 16, 2024
Marshallton, DE—Rose, a case manager at CCD and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, shares her incredible journey from her early days in Marshallton to becoming a beacon of hope for women in recovery.
Growing up in a loving but chaotic home, Rose fondly remembers her childhood but admits she was always searching for something different. “Everything I ever needed to know I either learned before kindergarten… or from television,” Rose recalls, highlighting the strong influence of her parents, whom she now considers her greatest off-screen heroes.
However, that sense of yearning led her down a path she never expected—turning to alcohol and drugs, which took her to dark places. “Only by the grace and mercy of something greater than myself, I’ve made it back home… alive,” she reflects on her journey to recovery
The Journey to Recovery and a New Purpose
Finding recovery not only saved Rose’s life but also ignited a passion for helping others. For over a decade, she’s mentored individuals from all walks of life, which ultimately pushed her to make a career out of her experiences. Completing her Certified Peer Recovery Specialist training became a pivotal point, as she found herself gaining both personal and professional fulfillment from the role. "It's one of my most difficult yet earned accomplishments," she says.
A Day in the Life: Rebuilding Lives at CCD
As a case manager at CCD, Rose works with women in the CARE Program, helping them develop their own roadmaps back to life. “Many of us in early recovery were ‘tore up from the floor up’ on arrival,” she shares candidly. Her work involves helping these women strip away the debris of their pasts and rebuild a solid foundation for the future. Rose’s role includes guiding them through rehabilitation, employment, and community reintegration, while ensuring they remain connected to the recovery world.
"Walking the individual through how to rebuild the layers and floors of a new existence and life worth living is what case management is all about," Rose says. Whether it’s helping arrange medical care or facilitating reconnections with family, each day brings the opportunity to witness lives transform.
Memorable Moments and Hard-Won Wisdom
Rose has had many unforgettable moments in her work. One of the most powerful came when a father, picking up his daughter after a successful recovery, told her: “It has been an honor to finally meet you in person—I hope I never have to see you again, respectfully.” Moments like these, where families are reunited, are what Rose cherishes most.
Through her work, Rose has also learned profound lessons about both recovery and herself. "It's easy to love the loved—love the unloved and the Universe heals together," she says. She humbly acknowledges that she didn’t arrive where she is because she knew all the answers, but because others did.
Advice for Future Recovery Specialists: "Just Do It"
To anyone considering a career in the recovery field, Rose’s advice is simple: “Just do it. Be like Nike.” Through helping others, she has found deeper understanding and purpose, and she encourages others to take the same leap.
As for the future, Rose is most excited about continuing to be present for the women in the CARE Program as they navigate their own journeys. "The gift of presence continues to give, one day at a time," she reflects.
Rose’s story is a testament to the power of recovery and the profound impact one person can have on the lives of many. Her work at CCD not only transforms others but has been a path of healing for herself as well.