Strength In Peers

Strength In Peers' Lion's PRIDE (Peer Recovery Internship for Development & Empowerment) program is a structured, hands-on learning experience for individuals who want to become a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Virginia. Interns complete 500 hours of supervised professional experience required to qualify for the certification exam. Through mentorship, real-world practice, and professional development, interns learn to engage peers with empathy, connect them to community resources, and model hope and resilience through lived experience.

Interns will rotate through Strength In Peers' peer-led recovery services, community resource centers, homeless medical respite house, jail-based support groups, and mobile harm reduction program to experience a variety of professional settings. Interns will also develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) where they will select trainings and experiences that align with their professional interests and goals, such as working in crisis services, supporting youth and families, or working with justice-involved populations.

At Strength In Peers, recovery grows in community—our “pride.” This program builds confidence, competence, and compassion on the path to becoming a CPRS and working in the helping professions.

Program Benefits

• $6,000 stipend over the 6-month program period, disbursed biweekly.
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to field sites from Strength In Peers’ office locations.
• Free program supplies (yours to keep upon program completion).
• Fully funded trainings aligned with your Individualized Learning Plan (no out-of-pocket costs).
• 500 hours of hands-on field experience with individual and group supervision led by Certified PRS Supervisors.
• CPRS exam preparation and application support (including paid application fee).
• Career coaching, resume guidance, job search help, goal-setting, and networking opportunities during program duration.
• Alumni support with quarterly check-ins for 12 months after graduation.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED received prior to program start date of 6/22/2026. GED program registration support is available from program staff upon request.  
• Completion of 72-hour DBHDS Peer Recovery Specialist training prior to program start date of 6/22/2026. Scholarships and registration support are available for those who have not yet enrolled in 72-hour PRS training.

IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, YOU CAN STILL APPLY. GED application support and 72-hour PRS training referral are available upon request. Scholarships are available for 72-hour PRS training if you have not yet registered for a class. Please reach out to Holly Hanks Wanta, Program Coordinator, at Holly@StrengthInPeers.org or 540-282-7404 with any questions or to begin the process.

Program Requirements

• Lived/living experience in recovery from substance use, mental health, and/or trauma-related challenges, with at least one year sustained recovery.
• Interest in pursuing a career that applies peer recovery principles.
• Available to begin June 22, 2026, and commit to a 6-month program term (June-December 2026), for a minimum of 20 hours/week (Monday-Thursday, 9am-2pm).
• Ability to travel to Strength In Peers sites and partner locations and participate in assigned activities.
• Basic computer skills (email, word processing, data entry). 
• You will need to complete a phone and/or in-person interview before being accepted into the Lion's PRIDE program. Participation in an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Personal vehicle for transportation to and from Strength In Peers offices and partner field sites.
• Personal, educational, and/or volunteer experience with peer support and/or behavioral health.

Questions about our program? Need more information about the requirements?
Contact Holly Hanks Wanta, Program Coordinator, at Holly@StrengthInPeers.org or 540-282-7404.