Truddy Gierbolini, CADC, Associate Director at Integrity House, has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Peer Leader Award by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA). The honor was presented April 14 at NJAMHAA’s Diamond Courage & Compassion Awards ceremony, held during the organization’s Spring Conference at the APA Hotel Woodbridge in Iselin, N.J.
The Outstanding Peer Leader Award recognizes individuals in the behavioral health field whose lived experience in recovery has shaped an exceptional commitment to serving others. For Truddy, that commitment has been built over nearly a decade at Integrity House, where her journey began not as a staff member, but as a client seeking treatment
Truddy entered Integrity House’s residential program in 2016. After completing the continuum of care, she joined the organization’s staff in 2019 and moved into a counseling role within a year. She now serves as Associate Director of Integrity House’s largest residential facility, overseeing care for 152 clients. She also works as a Recovery Support Specialist and is actively pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Substance Use Studies, having earned an Associate’s Degree in Public Policy and completed the 46-hour Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training.
“Truddy’s impact on our clients and our organization goes far beyond her clinical role,” said Eman Gibson, MBA, LCSW, LCADC, Chief Clinical Officer at Integrity House. “She shows up every day with the kind of empathy and accountability that can only come from lived experience, and she leads our team with the same honesty she applies to her own recovery. By doing that, she provides the most essential element of recovery: hope.”
Truddy is known throughout Integrity House for openly sharing her story, actively participating in the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship and cultivating a culture where people feel accepted, supported and capable of change. She approaches recovery as a holistic process and has made it her mission to help clients find their own pathway to wellness.
“Truddy’s path from client to associate director is a testament to what compassionate, whole-person care makes possible,” said Robert Budsock, President and CEO of Integrity House. “She is an asset to Integrity House and a model for the entire field. This recognition is a reflection of the extraordinary dedication she brings to our clients and our mission every single day.”
At Integrity House, peer leadership is central to how we deliver care. Across residential and outpatient programs, recovery support services, and community outreach initiatives, individuals with lived experience play an active role in supporting thousands of New Jersey residents each year.