Lorenzo Jones
On Our Own of Frederick County, Inc.
As a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Lorenzo’s peer-led mentoring and role modeling positively impacts over fifty members monthly at On Our Own’s downtown wellness and recovery center. His calm and approachable demeanor, along with his intentional listening during one-on-one peer support sessions, are instrumental in guiding individuals along their chosen recovery journey. Lorenzo navigates challenging situations with poise and grace, using his own personal experience to provide a point of view for clients. He wants to give back to the community, as somebody gave back to him through help with resources and clinical care.
Lorenzo’s unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on peers at On Our Own as well as the local recovery community. His creativity is evident in his efforts to amplify the nonprofit’s message through various digital platforms, designing posts that effectively reach peers in need of recovery support. His implementation of a state-of-the-art Constituent Relationship Management database has revolutionized the organization, providing valuable insights into member interactions and outcomes. He considers his greatest accomplishment to be graduating this May with his Associates’ Degree from Frederick Community College.
“Lorenzo embodies what a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist is across all the domains: Ethics, Advocacy, Wellness/Recovery as well as Mentoring/Education. His teamwork at our Wellness and Recovery Center touches the lives of many peers helping them on their recovery journey.” Neil Donnelly, Executive Director
Hazel Mejia
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
Hazel began in the role of Family Resource Specialist about two years ago. She is the first to meet families and resource providers in the community, creating relationships and connections for services to families based on each family’s need. Hazel is very conscious of getting to know families, exploring and identifying how to provide an adequate service — according to the needs, beliefs and culture — thus providing a better quality of life with inclusion and respect for diversity.
Hazel is also a guide and mentor to her co-workers, always supporting learning, respect and positive guidance. She is an active participant in the community, creating relationships and connections, and contributing ideas to the work team in a creative and productive way to continue growing in service to the community. Hazel describes her greatest accomplishment to be taking on a dual role as a support/resource specialist. Initially unsure if she could fulfill both roles, she now sees the growth in herself. She enjoys working in this field because she sees firsthand the impact of the services, and getting to see their growth as they push through the difficult times.
“Her daily life is an example of love, value and respect for the Mental Health Association, but especially for each family she has impacted throughout her journey through Healthy Families and the Frederick community.” Suhail Rodriguez-Negron, Colleague
Valerie Pearson
Mount St. Mary’s University
Valerie has been a member of the Division of Continuing Studies’ team at Mount St. Mary’s for two years, recruiting new students and helping them through the application process. She travels for college fairs, helps with open houses, and social media, and contributes to raising up the Mount and the community by sharing opportunities for workforce training. Valerie enjoys developing relationships and partnerships with other organizations. She has become an active member of the Chamber of Commerce’s Generation Connect, and is participating in Leadership Frederick County.
Valerie is a big believer in higher education as it can transform lives. It can help adults to fulfill a career change. She considers her greatest accomplishment at her job to be a proposal she wrote to lower the tuition rate for active-duty military, providing them with tuition assistance. She sets an example for the value of kindness. Described as going above and beyond in every way, she always has a smile on her face and does whatever she can to help others, stepping up to fill in wherever there is a need.
“Valerie’s kindness and energy brings positivity and success to all she touches.” -Jen Staiger, Associate Provost, Division of Continuing Studies
Visit Mount St. Mary’s website