Testimonial from Derek Emery CPSS, YS, CSPR

My name is Derek Emery. I am a person living in long-term recovery and a returning citizen from our justice system.

For over the last 10 years I have tirelessly worked on learning healthy coping skills and working the steps of my recovery program.

Through my recovery journey with mental health and substance abuse, I began service work. Through this service work I found a passion for being of service for others facing these same barriers.

This passion to see people succeed and overcome the stigma and barriers placed upon returning citizens has turned into a profession. Today I have become a CSPR ( Certified Supervisor of Peer Recovery) CPSS (Certified Peer Support Specialist) and YS, (Youth Support Specialist). I am a Manager of Community Based Programs at Stewards of Recovery.

This year I went through the clemency process to get a full pardon in the State of Idaho. With the mentorship and support of Stephanie Taylor Thompson at Empire Reentry & Recovery Solutions, this dream became a reality.

Stephanie and her amazing team of professionals, made a daunting and intimidating process of gathering criminal history and completing the clemency process not so overwhelming and intimidating. Stephanie and her team walked me through every step of the clemency process with dignity and respect. I felt heard. I felt that I had a voice in the justice system to seek redemption in my new way of life.

Empire Reentry and Recovery Solutions works very hard in the clemency process and fair change initiatives in our communities and state. They have given me the opportunity to remove barriers holding me back in my career and life in my community.

I want to thank Stephanie and the rest of the team at Empire Reentry and Recovery Solutions for working tirelessly to fight for the rights of returning citizens and working to make our communities a better place.

Derek Emery CPSS,YS,CSPR

Stewards of Recovery

Manager of Community Based Programs

(208)881-9423