Victoria Hellerick

Compassionate and dedicated mental health and peer support professional with over seven years of experience providing peer support, advocacy, and resource navigation services to individuals facing mental health, substance use, and life challenges. Skilled in connecting individuals with community resources, including Medicaid, SNAP, and Florida MyACCESS benefits, while promoting recovery, self-advocacy, and overall wellness. Knowledgeable in HIPAA confidentiality standards, behavioral health principles, trauma-informed care, and person-centered support.

Strong ability to build rapport, foster trust, and support individuals in achieving their recovery goals. Committed to empowering others through lived experience, empathy, and a recovery-oriented approach to mental health care.

Peer Specialist | Resource Navigator | Access at Lightshare Behavioral Wellness & Recovery (2025-12 – Present)

• Provide peer support and mentoring to individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges, promoting recovery, self-advocacy, and independence.
• Assist clients in accessing public assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, and Florida MyACCESS benefits.
• Provide transportation assistance to clients, including transportation to and from homes, hospitals, bus stations, and other essential destinations.
• Enter and verify insurance information for new clients to support service access and enrollment.
• Schedule client appointments and coordinate services to facilitate continuity of care.
• Respond to after-hours calls and crisis calls, gathering relevant information and communicating concerns to Mobile Response Team (MRT) Leads for appropriate follow-up.
• Open and close client services within electronic medical records (EMR) systems, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
• Maintain confidential client records in accordance with HIPAA standards and applicable behavioral health privacy regulations.
• Apply trauma-informed care and person-centered support principles to foster trust, engagement, and recovery-oriented outcomes.

Front End at Whole Foods (2024-12 – 2025)

• Participated in community outreach initiatives to engage diverse populations
• Delivered positive customer service and built rapport with customers to support community connection
• Managed cash handling and supported various departments to maintain operational flexibility

Barista and Community Event Liaison at Starbucks (2012-10 – 2024)

• Play Caller
• Primary morning drive-thru partner
• Coordinated and led community events such as Coffee with a Cop to foster trust and outreach
• Delivered excellent customer service and maintained strong communication with customers
• Facilitated community engagement and connections to support mental health awareness
• Planned and hosted mental health resource events, including Mental Health Resource tables and Mental Health Awareness Week activities

Resident Monitor – 2nd Shift at The Salvation Army (2021-09 – 2022)

• Managed intake paperwork and collected client information to support program documentation
• Ensured safety and security of residents during shift
• Handled cash transactions with accuracy and integrity

Public Speaker for Ending the Silence and In Our Own Voice, Connections Group Facilitator, and Social Media Coordinator, including Facebook and Instagram at National Alliance on Mental Illness (2013-10 – 2022)

• Delivered over 100 speeches to schools, colleges, and public audiences to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma
• Led peer support groups for more than five years, facilitating recovery-oriented discussions and mentoring
• Engaged community members to increase participation in mental health events and support networks
• Collaborated closely with Executive Director and Board Members to coordinate outreach and advocacy efforts
• Managed social media coordination to enhance community engagement and resource dissemination

Family Human Development, Religion & Women and Gender Studies – Arizona State University

Canine & Behavior Management – Kutztown University

Psychology – Bucks Community College

Psychology – Lock Haven University

Diploma – Central Bucks West High School