Samantha W

NATIONALLY CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER SPECIALIST

Samantha is a Peer Specialist and passionate advocate for recovery, trauma healing, and family empowerment. Her journey into the recovery field began with her own transformation a personal path of healing that ignited a deep commitment to helping others rebuild their lives. She joined the Recovery Connections of Central Florida team with firsthand insight and quickly became a trusted voice in peer support, known for her empathy, structure, and unwavering belief in second chances.

Originally from a small town in Oklahoma the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, she made the bold decision to move to Florida to begin a new chapter and be closer to the ocean, which she calls her “inner peace and connectedness.” Upon relocating, she earned her National Certified Peer Specialist certification from the Florida State Board, solidifying her commitment to professional growth and advocacy.

With a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Human Services and an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Colorado Technical University, she blends operational expertise with heart-centered care. Her lived experience navigating trauma, reclaiming self-worth, and fiercely advocating for her children gives her a powerful lens in this work. She understands what it means to feel unseen and how life-changing it is to be met with compassion and clarity. Throughout her career, she’s held roles in administrative and clinical support, facilitated peer-led groups, and now collaborates closely with RCCF’s team to ensure trauma-informed, person-centered care reaches every individual. Her approach is grounded, strategic, and deeply human.

Outside of work, she’s a proud mother to six children four biological and two adopted and has been with her high school sweetheart since junior year. She finds joy in sunshine naps, peace in nature, and speaks and understands Spanish, bringing cultural sensitivity and warmth to every interaction.

Through her professional work, personal story, and advocacy, she is committed to breaking stigma, uplifting families, and walking alongside others on their path to recovery not just as a specialist, but as someone who’s lived it, loved through it, and come out stronger.