Amy Ortiz, Outreach Coordinator
I fell into Peer Support by accident in 2018. I completed my training as a Peer Support Specialist in 2021 through the Iowa Peer Workforce Collaborative and became State Certified in early 2022. Shortly after, I became a WRAP Facilitator. I have learned so much about Peer Support, Advocacy, and Peer Connection since 2018 and continue to learn more every day.
As a Peer Support Specialist, I found that being able to connect with peers on a level that some of them aren’t used to seeing and being able to role-model Hope through my own recovery experiences brings a sense of validation to my journey. I have also found so much joy in being in connection with and in being able to support the supporters who bring so much of their own passion to the field.
What do I love about Peer Support?
I appreciate that at Iowa Peer Network, we have opportunities to foster that connection for the supporters around the state, to advocate for the supporters with challenges in the field, and to provide opportunities for empowering our supporters and giving them a way to be seen and heard.