Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Hill.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I firmly believe that our past experiences, regardless of the difficulty, shape us into the people we are today or are meant to become. To maintain full transparency, I am a person in long-term recovery from substances, with a sobriety date of June 17, 2020. My past life took me through a decade-long path that my teenage self never thought I would experience. I endured years worth of losses, emotional angst, and suicidal ideations. As I said before, it shaped me into the man I am today. I possess a life experience that most would fear but that I fully embrace. Today, I manage the Youth Recovery Community Center program at Rise Recovery, a non-profit that seeks to help teens, young adults, and families overcome the effects of drugs and alcohol.
What challenges and lessons have you learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth?
Not in the slightest. The past 3 years have certainly come with many successes but more adversity. I have grown as an employee, friend, family member, and human being. From a professional standpoint, I’ve evolved as a leader within Rise Recovery. I have faced struggles within myself, such as self-doubt, fear, and professional development. However, I have the most incredible support system within my immediate family and the leadership at Rise Recovery. Without them, I would be in the position that I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I serve as the Youth and Telehealth Program Manager/ Recovery Support Peer Specialist at Rise Recovery. For almost 2 years, I have specialized in substance use peer support with teenagers. I want to say that I’m known for being compassionate, understanding, a good listener, and an overall safe space with our youth. I’m most proud of the hard work and dedication I’ve poured into our programs, mainly because this is my first job in the substance use support industry. What sets me apart from others is that I have found a balance between maintaining a supervisory role and learning to have fun with it. I don’t take myself too seriously, but I walk with integrity and love.
Can you talk to us about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I can’t say that I ever have. The way that my life has played out is a result of a good work ethic and a strong spiritual foundation. Every day, I strive to be a better person than I was the day before. I have lived by that motto for the last 3 years, which has paid off more than I could have imagined.
