MHAAO is an inclusive peer-run organization dedicated to self-direction
honoring the voice of lived experience
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The Mad Hatter Tea Party Fundraiser was, in Janie's words, a "resounding success!" We generated
$20,414 in revenue for our fundraiser! Thank you so much to everyone who made this event possible!!
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Congrats to Roman Becerra got his keys on 1/12/2020 with his section 8 voucher!! He will be hosting a house warming party that the MHAAO team is welcome to attend! Congratulations, Roman!!
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Congrats to Jimmy Walker, who celebrated 18 months of sobriety on January 7th!
Congrats to Marianne O'Neill-Tutor, who celebrated 4 years with MHAAO on January 4th!
Congrats to Sean Mahoney, who celebrated 11 years in recovery on January 2nd!
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Amber Lakin,
Peer Support Specialist for Clackamas Country Behavioral Health Unit
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1. What inspired you to become a Peer Support Specialist?
When I first got clean and completed inpatient treatment I found myself wanting to help others and give back. While I was in my active addiction I had peer that checked up on me in my darkest times. There was never any judgement or agenda, just support and mutuality. I didn't know at the moment how helpful that was and how it helped to keep some hope in my world. After having some clean time and being able to hold down a job I knew that it was close to my heart to become a PSS.
2. What are you most excited about for your role as the Peer Support for Clackamas County Behavioral Health Unit?
I am from Clackamas County and spent most of my active addiction in Clackamas. I am most excited to be that support person who may feel like there is no hope.
3. What do you like to do for self-care?
My self care today is working on my mental, physical and spiritual health. Spending time with my family and creating new memories.
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1. What inspired you to become a Peer Support Specialist?
“Sometimes the best thing we can do is get down in the ‘shithole’ with our peers and sit there until the storm passes by!” –Carolyn, QAGAA, Seattle.
I heard her words. I prayed. I received a sponsor/mentor who was willing to sit with me and support me during my active addiction. The same can be said about my team at Peer Seattle. They supported my plan of action. Without allowing me to find what my recovery looked like, I would not be here today!
2. What are you most excited about for your role as the EVOLVE Coordinator?
Statistics indicated my chance of success in recovery was >10%. I’ve beaten those odds! I beat them every day. The hope I once abandoned, made its way back into my heart, inspiring me to allow my light to once again shine like a beacon across the dark, turbulent waters of despair. What I have, I must share.
3. What do you like to do for self-care?
I sing harmony. I listen for the melody, find my part, and then join right in. Practically applied, I have multiple self-care activities: photography, singing, song-writing, poetry, nature, gardening, design, yoga, and meditation, to name a few. But the payoff, the medicine, the healing comes from being in harmony with the source from which these gifts are manifest.
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Jimmy Walker,
EVOLVE Coordinator
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Office Yoga Class:
- MHAAO offers you all and your peers a moment of quietude and gentle stretching, if you wish! Our administrative assistant, Kasey, leads a monthly yoga class that is aimed at focusing on your breath, and giving your mind a break from the constant stimulation.
- This hour can be whatever you want it to be! If you would like to come sit quietly or in meditation, that’s wonderful and welcome. If you would like to follow along and give your body a sweet and easy stretch, that’s available as well. There will be no human pretzels or standing on your head, just some time to come get present and take a break from the go, go, go of the workday! We hope to see you and your peers there!
- Your peers are more than welcome to attend with you if they are interested!
- January 28th at 10-11 am is our next yoga class!
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Peerpocalypse
- We are working on finalizing the workshop schedule for Peerpocalypse.
- Scholarship announcements went out last week, including the Washington County scholarships and the MAAPS scholarships. This information will be available on our website today.
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- 12/4/2019- Posted position for Kaiser Project Nurture
- 12/16/2019- Amber Lakin 1 FTE with BHU
- 12/16/2019- James Walker 1 FTE Coordinator position
- 12/17/2019- First Federal Direct Services Program w/ Re-entry court
- Justin Schumacher is currently working 0.5 FTE on Federal Re-entry program
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- Lead Project Coordinator, Jessica Carroll, and Janie Gullickson successfully facilitated a Peer Support Specialist Training in Hawai’i, and succeeded in getting a culturally appropriate PSS training certified through the Hawai’i Department of Health.
- Contracted trainers facilitated WRAP Seminar I and II trainings in Tucson, AZ on behalf of Peerlink.
- A comprehensive Year-End Report was submitted to SAMHSA. The report details all grant activities and highlights successful completion of project goals.
- On behalf of MHAAO, Peerlink is partnering with Bridges to Change to host a Recovery Job Fair at the BTC – Club Hope in Gresham on January 29th.
- Peerlink is currently supporting Klamath Tribal members and will be having a PWS training in Klamath in February.
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OPDSCo - OHA Needs Assessment
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University of Washington Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
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- Two community of practices to be facilitated in January on the topic of new beginnings – contact Adrienne if you know of Peer Support Specialists or supervisors who might be interested in joining the free, monthly virtual community of practices.
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Oregon Peer Trainings & Innovations Center (OPTIC)
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- Jessica and Emily are training a full PWS cohort in Portland!
- Another PWS cohort is scheduled for March in Hillsboro. Register online: https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
- Justin and Adrienne presented a webinar on harm reduction for Mental Health America national.
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- PeerZone Facilitator Training will be held February 3 – 6th in Aloha, OR. This training supports facilitators to learn how to hold PeerZone Workshops. List of workshops available here: https://www.peerzone.info/workshops-outside-nz
- Please let Adrienne (ascavera@mhaoforegon.org) know if you’re aware of any interested persons! Washington County Scholarships available.
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Grace Jo shared this poem her peer wrote about recovery. About her peer, Grace said, "
This peer is a miracle and is fighting so hard for herself and her new life. She has stayed clean and sober and has turned her life around while living in a shelter."
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If a mountain seems too big,
then climb a hill instead.
If the morning brings you sadness,
it's ok to stay in bed.
If the day weighs heavy
and your plans feel like a curse,
there's no shame in rearranging;
don't make yourself feel worse.
If a shower stings like needles,
and a bath feels like you're drowning;
if you haven't washed your hair for days,
don't throw away your crown.
A day is not a lifetime;
a rest is not defeat.
Don't think of it as failure,
just a quiet, kind retreat.
It's ok to take a moment
from an anxious, fractured mind.
The world will not stop turning
while you get realigned.
The mountain will still be there
when you want to try again,
so climb it on your own time.
Tanya Eakin
EVOLVE Peer-Delivered
Services Recipient
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If you have stories about yourself or a peer that you would like to have featured in the newsletter, on our blog, or on our social media, please email kmccraw@mhaoforegon.org
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