PRESS RELEASE
Jessica Ruiz receives RecoveryPeople’s 2023 Peer of the Year Award.
In recognition of her direct support to persons in recovery, RecoveryPeople is excited to announce Jessica Ruiz as our 2023 Peer Specialist of the Year recipient. This award is part of a RecoveryPeople campaign during National Recovery Month (September) that recognizes leaders in the recovery community.
Jessica Ruiz is a National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist with a passion for collaborating with the recovery community. Her primary goal is to provide comprehensive support, training, education, unity, and enjoyment to her peers who are recovering from substance abuse.
Driven by her personal journey, Jessica transitioned from a 23-year career as a legal assistant to dedicating her efforts to recovery and helping others affected by addiction. As a woman in long-term recovery, she embarked on her own path to recovery in 2016 and has achieved success through abstinence since January 2019. Jessica possesses a genuine curiosity for learning about individuals, organizations, and community partners involved in the recovery continuum. She firmly believes that fostering connections, promoting education, and providing service are pivotal components of a successful and fulfilling recovery journey.
Jessica is currently a Contracts Specialist on the Contracts & Development team at Oxford House, Inc. This non-profit organization is dedicated to offering peer-run, self-sustaining, substance-free, affordable housing across the nation. Jessica has extensive field experience as an Outreach Worker in Austin and as the Senior Outreach Coordinator for South Texas. Since 2022, Jessica has been a member of the RecoveryATX Board of Directors, where she actively contributes to the organization’s mission.
Jessica’s academic accomplishments include graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BBA in Economics from Texas State University in 2016. In 2021, she became a National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. Throughout her career, she has pursued further professional development, obtaining certificates and training in essential areas such as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), Overdose Prevention and Naloxone training, and Mental Health First Aid.
To learn more about RecoveryPeople and how to donate to our nonprofit, visit recoverypeople.org