close
Peer Support Specialist
Registered Apprentice – California Association of Peer Supporters (CAPS) Academy

Jennifer Iglesias Wilder knows what it means to fight for a second chance—and to use that chance to create something meaningful, not just for herself, but for others on similar paths. A graduate of the CAPS Academy Registered Apprenticeship Program and now a Peer Support Specialist at Telecare Corp, Jennifer has transformed her lived experience into a career with purpose.

“There was a time not too long ago when I couldn’t see a way forward,” Jennifer reflects. “But getting sober in 2022 was the start of a new life. And CAPS gave me the opportunity to keep building on that.”

From Landscape Work to Life-Changing Work

Jennifer’s journey began far from the behavioral health field. Through a subsidized employment program, she was doing landscaping and maintenance—physical work that offered stability, but not direction. That changed when LA RISE and the America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) introduced her to the CAPS Academy in early 2023.

“My case manager saw something in me—someone with real lived experience who could help others going through the same thing,” she says. “They connected me to CAPS, and that changed everything.”

Jennifer jumped into the one-year Registered Apprenticeship program headfirst, determined to make the most of the opportunity. It was her first time working in behavioral health, but with support from mentors and peers, she began to thrive. “I had to learn everything—how to handle different situations, how to support our members. I asked a lot of questions, leaned on my team, and just kept the ball rolling.”

Turning Lived Experience into Professional Power

For Jennifer, the apprenticeship wasn’t just about learning skills—it was about building confidence and reclaiming her identity. “It gave me structure, it gave me purpose. I used to mow lawns. Now I’m sitting in meetings with clinicians and contributing to people’s recovery. That’s a huge step for me.”

She credits the CAPS program with helping her see herself in a new light. “They believed in me before I fully believed in myself,” she shares. “I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’m doing something productive and positive with my life in a way I never thought I would.”

A Workforce That Gets It

Jennifer is a firm believer in the value of Registered Apprenticeship—not just for individuals, but for employers and communities. “This program builds a workforce of people who really get it,” she says. “People with lived experience can connect with clients on a different level. It’s not just about clinical knowledge—it’s about empathy, trust, and real understanding.”

Now working full-time at Telecare Corp, Jennifer continues to walk alongside people in recovery, offering both support and inspiration. And her message to others thinking about apprenticeship? “Do it. If you’ve been through something and want to use that experience to help others, this program gives you the tools and the path to do that. It’s life-changing.”

Looking Ahead

Jennifer isn’t done growing. She’s planning to go back to school, deepen her expertise, and continue advancing her career in peer support. But no matter where she goes next, she carries her past—and her purpose—with pride.

“Recovery gave me my life back,” she says. “But it also gave me a mission. I’m no longer just surviving. I’m thriving, healing, and helping others do the same. And that, to me, is success.”



Back to all Registered Apprenticeship Success Stories