Peer Mentor & Employment Training Program

House of Hope CDC’s Peer Mentor Employment and Training Program is back and better than ever after a long COVID-related hiatus.  Please join us in welcoming Michela “Kayla” Serrano, our new Peer Program Manager, to the House of Hope CDC team.  We are currently celebrating our first graduating class since March 2020 while planning for our next cohort this summer 2023.  Stay tuned for more details!

Our Award-Winning Peer Mentoring Program

Our Peer Mentor Employment and Training Program offers individuals a unique approach to employment training.

In 2016 House of Hope CDC’s Peer Mentoring Program was awarded The Rhode Island Foundation Nonprofit Excellence 2016 Best Practice Award for Volunteer Engagement.

Approachable and Accessible

Our current training program consists of 112 classroom hours over seven weeks, followed by an internship designed to offer program graduates an opportunity to practice their skills in a real-world setting.

We offer a stimulating curriculum that is both approachable and accessible to all walks of life. Crafted by experts with a wide range of first-hand experience and educational backgrounds.

We offer one of the most inclusive, comprehensive programs in the state of Rhode Island, maintaining a core focus on issues specific to homelessness.

Our Unique Approach

Our program offers a unique approach to training, focusing on providing education and skills necessary for students to succeed in Peer-Based Recovery Support.

The curriculum was designed by our staff from the ground up. With the intention of helping graduates obtain a certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential, offered through the Rhode Island Certification Board (RICB).  The course also offers a curriculum for Community Health Worker Certification with RICB.

We also work with clients to obtain employment positions within House of Hope CDC and other recovery-oriented agencies.

A Path to Success

Following classroom training, program graduates may be selected for six-week internships. During this period, individuals will have the opportunity to apply new skills, receive direct supervision, work with other service providers, and the community itself.

Internship selection is based on an individual’s competency in the classroom, study materials, and their desire for ongoing employment in related fields.

It is important to us to work with students one-on-one, placing them in a position related to their interests or career goals.