Justin Volpe has been employed as a peer specialist with the 11th Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project in Miami, Florida, since 2008. As a certified peer recovery specialist, Justin is one of the first people program participants meet upon release from jail. In his role, he walks alongside participants, offering encouragement and practical assistance to promote successful recovery and community living. Justin understands the importance of helping others connect to their inner strength, motivation, and desire to move forward in life, even when experiencing challenges. He can engage an individual on a level that a judge, attorney, or treatment provider cannot because Justin Volpe has firsthand knowledge of the importance of ensuring the availability of mental health and substance use treatment services for people involved in the legal system.
Justin was also the 11th Judicial Circuit Criminal Mental Health Project’s (CMHP) first SOAR applicant. The CMHP SOAR team assisted with Justin’s application, and he was approved fo