Woman Recognized for Overcoming Challenges and Becoming Peer Recovery Coach

May 10, 2023

Carrie Zeigler and her employer, Catholic Human Services in Cadillac, received Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards May 10, 2023 in Lansing in recognition of Carrie overcoming multiple challenges to become a Peer Recovery Coach.

Carrie has faced some big challenges in her life. She struggled with substance abuse and she and her five young children spent time in a domestic violence shelter before becoming homeless for several months. After working her way through those challenges Carrie faced a new one. In September of 2022, suddenly and without warning, she was let go from her job as a Peer Recovery Coach (PRC) at a local health clinic. Carrie was scared and upset. Her self-esteem had taken a huge hit, and her sobriety was threatened. But in her role as a PRC, she had referred clients to the Opioid Life Coaching program at Northwest Michigan Works!, so she turned to them for help.

“I was left without a paycheck, five children to care for, and a fear of what the future held for me,” said Carrie. “My career path was still very new, and I wasn’t sure where to turn. Northwest Michigan Works! initiated services, and the fear quickly dissipated.”

Her Opioid Life Coach and others on the Northwest Michigan Works! team helped Carrie with her resume, interviewing skills, and her job search. Michigan Works! also provided funding for car insurance, new tires, gas cards, and clothing for work. Carrie utilized life coaching services for self-confidence and self-esteem building, learning problem solving techniques, creative stress relieving methods, and for objective and honest questioning when she was unsure of what she should do next.

The assistance from Northwest Michigan Works! helped Carrie get three job offers, including the position she accepted as a community-based Peer Recovery Coach at Catholic Human Services in Cadillac. Michigan Works! is also helping Carrie with the college enrollment process so she can work on earning her bachelor’s degree.

“Northwest Michigan Works! and the opioid program has provided resources, funding, support, guidance, and education that I could not have found anywhere else,” said Carrie. “It has been an amazing wrap around service that I would now, again being employed on my career path, recommend to my clients any day. I have so much gratitude for this programming and the impact that it had, and continues to have, on my ongoing recovery journey.”

The video below was shown at the Impact Awards event and includes remarks from Carrie Zeigler and representatives from Catholic Human Services.

 

Carrie Zeigler (6th from left) and her employer, Catholic Human Services in Cadillac, received Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards May 10, 2023 in Lansing.