Our Mission Statement: MHAAO is an inclusive peer-run organization dedicated to self-direction honoring the voice of lived experience |
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Congrats to our Peer Support Specialists on the OHSU IMPACT team, Traci Lundy and Kristina Teasley, for receiving the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine through OHSU!! |
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"I'm grateful to OHSU for prioritizing peers as a critical part of the healthcare workforce, and supporting their work on IMPACT, our hospital-based addictions team!"
- Dr. Honora Englander, Principal Investigator and Director of IMPACT
*Please note that some programs are starting to reach out and encourage staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19. We will keep you posted on your program.
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Congrats to Marianne O'Neill-Tutor for celebrating 5 years with MHAAO on 1/4!
Congrats to Emily Nelson for celebrating 2 years at MHAAO on 1/2!
Congrats to Kristina Teasley for celebrating 1 year at MHAAO on 1/21!
Congrats to Jim Wikel for celebrating 30 years in recovery on 1/15!
Congrats to Sean Mahoney for celebrating 12 years in recovery on 1/2!
Congrats to Chantelle Volk for celebrating 7 years in recovery on 1/21!
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Celina Burns
Peer Support Specialist for Multnomah County Peer Crisis Counseling
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What drew you to the peer movement?
Emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, I felt that I was ready to rise up and share with the world the struggle of my past experiences. I strongly felt that it was time to embrace my weaknesses and turn them into strengths and to allow others to see my vulnerability in hopes that they can share theirs in return. I want to inspire, encourage, and empower others to feel hope from my life story.
Why are peer services so crucial, especially right now?
With so much going on in the world, we can all use a helping, loving hand. We know first hand what it's like to deal with the most impossible situations and feeling alone. Having a peer right now can be a beautiful moment for us as humans to embrace one another's love and to know that we are facing challenges together.
What do you do for self-care?
I enjoy watching motivational videos and documentaries; doing research, meditation, and arts & crafts; listening to music; taking baths; cleansing my heart, mind, and spirit with herbs; and just talking to my ancestors.
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Jim Wikel (Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma)
Pathway Home Case Manager
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What drew you to the peer movement?
I'm in long term recovery from alcohol addiction and major depressive disorder. For me, the two are intertwined. Since I view my recovery as an evolutionary journey, being a peer supporter was a natural progression, so when I was given the opportunity to become certified in Oklahoma in 2015, I took it. Also, I like to think outside the box, so the ideas of encouragement and empowerment rather than giving directions and orders appealed to me.
What about our organization most excites you and/or is there anything you are looking forward to in your new role?
This past July, I was able to attend (virtually) Peerpocalypse. At the time, I was living in Oklahoma and working as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist for The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. Since I am Native and have a background in activism, I noticed that there is a strong element of social justice in the work that you all are doing and I was drawn to that. I am looking forward to being a part of the organization and hopefully being able to make a small difference in the community.
What do you do for self-care?
Cultural activities, both my own people's and other tribes. Relaxing with a good book while listening to music. And now that I'm back in The Pacific Northwest, getting outdoors. I have missed the mountains and water.
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Angela Santana
Peer Support Specialist for Pathway Home
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What drew you to the peer movement?
What drew me to the peer movement was that coming from a background of addiction, I wanted others to know there are people out there that understand and truly care, regardless of the situation.
What about our organization most excites you and/or is there anything you are looking forward to in your new role?
I look forward to getting to know my peers and coworkers. This team here at MHAAO has been more than welcoming and supportive.
What do you do for self-care?
For self-care, I like to read inspirational books. I love to crochet, paint, and do archery. Also, I like to get my nails and hair done.
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Rick Schiffner
Peer Support Specialist for Clackamas County
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What drew you to the peer movement?
I was drawn to the peer movement by the amount of love that I see in the community. Everyone is constantly helping others!
What about our organization most excites you and/or is there anything you are looking forward to in your new role?
Peer support is so crucial in these tough times. People need to know that they always have someone to talk to and that they can trust. People during these times are so much more lonely and stressed and to have someone they can talk to is so important.
What do you do for self-care?
I do so much stuff for self-care but I will name a few! Number one is hanging out with my son! He knows how to always put a smile on my face! Another big thing for me is fishing and being outdoors! That’s always such a great escape for me, something about being alone hiking in the cold with a clear mind!
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Multnomah County VIMOS Shelter |
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jupiter Hotel is partnering with Multnomah County to make 81 rooms available to protect medically vulnerable individuals who are currently part of the shelter system. A peer who is currently staying at the VIMOS Shelter shared their gratitude for the program and the impact it has had on their recovery! Read their story below: |
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"I started this journey of recovery all alone, as I'm sure most of us do. I was convinced that surviving as a soul in solitude is what I deserve. I am still alone, but now it is a more open road with others on it. You guys reaching out to me and reminding me that I am worth it has given me much needed fuel as this year comes to a close. I've tried over the last two years to make something of myself only to feel discounted, unimportant, not cared about, violated, and literally thrown away, even as I was preparing for the biggest step in my recovery: transitioning into sober living.
Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! For helping me change that and for helping me get a bit of self-respect back. I now have my own space, a much-appreciated level of care, and creature comforts. I am infused with hope again. I am literally in tears writing this right now because it means so much how you guys have invested in me. Your realness, kindness, resources, effort, and caring for me should be commended and acknowledged."
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Organization-Wide Updates |
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Admin Update:
- MHAAO continues to offer ART MINDSET. Scheduled for 2:30 PM on Mondays and Fridays with Kasey Marsh. Please reach out to René if you would like to participate.
- MHAAO is working with Kern & Thompson to complete its annual review.
- MHAAO is working to schedule a Peer Ethics training with Debra Buffaloboy. Date and time to be determined. This training will be held virtually.
- MHAAO still has phones and tablets available to BIPOC folx and older adults that reside in Multnomah County.
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Marketing Updates:
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Are you active on social media? Use #peersupportstrong and tag us @mhaoforegon on Instagram and LinkedIn! Use this hashtag to share peer support moments, or use it to share how you're coping during this time! We'll spread the love and feature your post on our Instagram and Facebook Stories!
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative Update:
- This month, we are welcoming Christine Rodrigues and Roumaldo Guajardo onto the DEI committee!!
- The committee will be working together to review the Employee Handbook with a DEI lens. Any suggested updates or revisions will then be presented to HR and Executive Leadership.
- The DEI Committee is asking you to share your feedback, comments, and experiences with MHAAO's programs as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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- MHAAO continues to plan for Peerpocalypse. No update as to whether the conference will be held in-person. The deadline for workshop submissions is January 15th.
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- The month of December was very busy. We started the VIMOS project delivering Peer services to the Volunteer Isolation Motel. We hired 7 staff to cover 7 days a week 10 hour days.
- We attended the Oregon Housing Conference on COVID and homelessness. We have been recruiting for the Crisis counseling participants program through FEMA.
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We hired Megan Fried for the Kaiser program and Jennifer Coon for the Blanchet House. Celina Burns for the FEMA CCP program. Rick Schiffner was hired for Clackamas County.
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Dawn Martin transferred from HACC to Clackamas County program in December
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- Pathway Home onboarded all staff hired in November.
- Pathway Home continued working closely with mandatory and community partners to create and amend referral pathways for future program participants.
- Pathway Home created marketing and coordinated on the webpage and referral form.
- Pathway Home staff completed all mandatory jail partner background checks for entry. All Clackamas and most Multnomah County have been approved. We are still waiting on Washington County.
- Department of Labor released a memo at the end of December allowing for optional program enrollment delay for 1- 6 months due to COVID-19. Pathway Home responded with a request to delay enrollment for one month while evaluating the impact on the budget and staffing. We may request an extended delay based on the fluid covid situation
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Emily Nelson and Molly Griggs are facilitating a new cohort of 20 peers that started January 5th!
- The PWS Training for late February and May have also been scheduled and are accepting applicants:
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OPDSCo - OHA Needs Assessment:
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University of Washington Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)
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Kristin Griffey will be a panelist for the SW MHTTC ‘s peer suicide resource engagement event (January 25th)! Registration details to come.
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Terry, Reina, and Adrienne will be presenting a webinar for the NW MHTTC on February 3rd on pandemic pivots as a peer-run organization. Registration details to come.
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OHA - Opioid and Pain Training
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Have lived experience with chronic pain or opioids? Please reach out to Adrienne (ascavera@mhaoforegon.org)! We will be working on gathering a group of peers to provide valuable input on the training.
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PeerZone
- Molly has been providing supports and practice sessions to PeerZone Facilitators, with a focus on Washington County
- Beginning 1/13, Molly will be offering virtual PeerZone toolkit workshops with a focus on Washington County! They will be held on Wednesdays from 3 – 4:30 PM.
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Hindsight 2020
Written on December 31st, 2020
By Edwin James (Pen Name of Jimmy Walker)
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There’s something on my mind tonight.
My soul is tired and weary
from the struggle to keep my head up high,
to keep my focus, don’t lose sight.
where isolation wins the fight
against unseen threats upon my life.
Be on my own,
stay in the zone,
mind dare not roam,
because Doom is still sitting in the back seat.
Just when we think we are safely ashore
We’re bound to be shaken again, to the core
Our battle-worn souls
Feeling much less than whole
Thinking this is the hand we might as well fold.
Surrender.
Let go.
Remember
The goal.
To be our best “we”
Our spirits break free
From the confines
Of deadlines
And rewinds
To shine from inside like never before
Celebrate all there is to explore
Minds growing strong
Knowing how we belong
Finding purpose and joy
As we write our new story...
Why is the world filled with hatred, not love?
Why must we wait until push comes to shove,
to stop look and listen to him, her, and them.
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To stop all this wishin’, pull deep from within and
do it,
say it,
portray and display it,
sincerity,
integrity,
dignity,
respect
to everyone whose lives ours affect.
No judgment or shame
see we’ve all walked the same
mile or two in this journey called life,
we’ve all seen our share of misery and strife,
we’ve watch hatred steal the breath of life
from our brothers and sisters
all genders and creeds,
disgust of the least of us, lost and in need.
They say perfect sight is 2020
This year, I’d say, we’ve all seen plenty.
I can only vouch for me,
My response to what I see,
My value’s accountability,
To do what’s right,
To learn, not fight,
To love each other void of spite!
It’s my nature.
My nomenclature.
James: speaker of truth,
reflected in what I choose to do,
What others see,
This light in me,
This love will be,
Available and free,
because Doom will not be my defeat.
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If you have stories about yourself or a peer that you would like to have featured in MHAAO's newsletter, blog, or social media, please email Kaity Riordan, Marketing, Communications & PR Coordinator at kriordan@mhaoforegon.org or give her a call at 509-936-3135! She's always looking forward to hearing from you!
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