MOULTRIE — Mark Harrell, peer support specialist at Crossroads Gospel Rescue Mission, has received the prestigious STAR Award for Peer Support Specialist of the Year at the 2024 Council of Accountability Court Judges Conference held Sept. 17 in Athens, Georgia.

“This award is a testament to Mark’s unwavering dedication and passion for serving others through the Accountability Courts and his heartfelt commitment to helping individuals on their path to recovery,” Crossroads said in a press release.

“Mark Harrell’s journey to this moment is one of true transformation,” the Moultrie mission’s leadership said. “As a former participant in several recovery programs, including the Colquitt County Accountability Court, Life Under the Son, and Crossroads Gospel Mission, Mark not only found his way to recovery but also became a beacon of hope for those still in the struggle. Through his role as a peer support specialist, Mark builds genuine relationships based on shared experiences, offering a message of hope, encouragement, and the possibility of a better life to those in need.

“Today, Mark serves as a role model, mentor, and advocate for recovery,” the press release continued. “His involvement with the Colquitt County Accountability Court, Life Under the Son, and Crossroads Gospel Mission demonstrates his relentless passion for helping others overcome their challenges. Mark’s dedication to making a positive impact is evident in the lives he touches daily — whether through his words of encouragement, his personal story of redemption, or his constant presence as a source of strength and guidance for those on their own recovery journeys.”

This award not only reflects Harrell’s outstanding work but also recognizes the vital role that peer support specialists play in helping others reclaim their lives, Crossroads Mission said. “His story is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of recovery, and we are proud to celebrate his accomplishments.”