Hello, my name is I grew up in a family with several generations of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. When I was 13 years old my brother was killed in a car accident. I struggled learning how to handle the loss. Throughout high school, I felt that I was not good enough to be liked by anybody. During my junior and senior year of high school was when my symptoms of anxiety and depression hit me. The only people I could relate to where the kids who drank and did drugs. For the next 10 years I started self medicating with all sorts of substances. I tried to get clean many times, but I would get stressed and anxious. This would lead me right back to the substances. With the help of my parents and other supports, I began to learn about recovery and I started to explore my options. It was a long road, but with hard work and support I have been clean for over 2 years. I recently took the Principles of Peer Support class at KVCC. After taking the class I started working here at the Recovery Institute as a Peer Companion. I love my job. Everything I have gone through will be worth it if I can help support someone else on their recovery journey.

Hello, I'm I'm originally from Southern California and moved out to Kalamazoo from San Francisco to pursue a job opportunity at Western Michigan University. Recently I got connected to the Recovery Movement after I realized that I needed to go back to my roots in community based work. I've been with The Recovery Institute since November 2009 and have enjoyed the opportunities to learn and grow in this new environment. My long term goals are to continue beyond my 9 years in the Nonprofit Industry and progress in my career. I enjoy travel, music, food, people and nature.

is a peer support specialist and is very fortunate to work at the Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan here in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bill Jones began this great career at the Institute this past February of 2009. Bill is very excited as well as fortunate to have such a unique career as this. Working at the Institute has allowed Bill to use a lot of his life skills that he has developed over the years at the Institute. I guess you would like to know a little bit about the person of Bill Jones. Well, Bill grew up in small town of Connersville, Indiana, where he graduated from high school in 1968. Bill really does enjoy riding his motorcycle and having fun on the weekends with his friends. After graduation, Bill moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the summer of 1968. Living in Grand Rapids, gave Bill a lot of opportunities to experience life that he could not experience in a small rural town in Indiana. After attending electronic school, Bill decided to attend a two year junior college, which was Davenport College of Business in downtown Grand Rapids. Bill began his career in business. After graduating from Davenport University as it is now called, Bill proceeded to get his Bachelors of Science Degree from Aqunias College which was located in Grand Rapids as well. Bill enjoyed volunteering at Project Rehab; which was Drug Rehab center in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as many other human service agencies in Grand Rapids. Bill learned a lot about himself as well as how human service agencies work and provide services to the communities which they serve. These experiences would definitely come to be a valuable resource to Bill as he would grow in this area of human service as his career would eventually take that direction. One thing about it, while volunteering in the area of human service, you tend to learn a lot about people. Bill learned a lot while volunteering at the Project Rehab Center. Bill learned how to listen to consumer’s needs and the pains, that so often; that he could relate too them as well, especially in the area of depression and loneliness and related areas. As a volunteer, Bill learned to listen with his heart and how to discern from the person the best recourses. Which lead to him to develop a keen sense of what a person might need or desire in their need to be helped? Bill started practicing Recovery long before recovery was a buzz word for the mental health agencies which would be a future word to come in future years. Bill has now accomplished a lot neat things as he has grown in the area of business and mental health. Bill has now become a Certified Peer Support Specialist for the Recovery Inst. For Bill being a peer support specialist means that he now has to practice what is now a daily process of recovery. Recovery for Bill is one day at a time. Not always being on top, but taking one step at a time and staying on his medications and working his plan for recovery and a wellness for life, one day at a time. As Bill has learned through many trials and tribulations, Recovery is not always a easy or straight path to follow. He falls down and he gets up to try again and again. That is Recovery for him. It is ok to pull off the path way of life and rest, but never give up and always practice the “F” word, FORGIVENESS!!! Forgiveness starts at home first, then for others. To be peer support specialist is a very honoring and proud position to have at the Recovery Inst. This position has allowed Bill to finally achieve all the goals he has desired for himself in many, many ways. The Recovery Institute is a finalization of my roads traveled and many dead ends that he is now able to look back on and now look up and sees a new horizon in his life. Working at the Recovery Inst. is a joy as well as soul searching type career that you take one consumer at a time as well as one day at a time, including the peers you work with, which can be the toughest at times. Bill feels so blessed to have a career such as this; where there are no two days alike and no two consumers alike. This is a true opportunity that is a blessing that Bill is truly blessed to have and to be a part of in many ways.

I'm I began working with The Recovery Institute as a Team Leader for “Living in Recovery” services in October of 2008. The Living in Recovery Team includes the Member Services, providing a number of services centered on Recovery Education and Skill Building Techniques. I began working in mental health in 2004; having previously worked in the state prison system as a Program Coordinator. I have been in active recovery from alcoholism since 1988. I’ve experienced first hand how vital positive supports are to successful recovery through providing hope, role modeling, encouragement, and open, unbiased ears to listen. These factors led me to make the decision to pursue new career choices and to return to college in 1991. It was soon after that I began experiencing a downward spiral, and finally accepted that it was the result of chronic depression. Having a strong recovery focus at that time allowed me to accept treatment and to incorporate a practical healing approach into all areas of my life, including my mental health. I have little doubt that without these elements, I wouldn’t have been able to finish college. I receive satisfaction in dealing with the challenges of being part of this grassroots movement and the fostering of a new organization. I admire the many abilities and skills of co-workers, and am grateful for the opportunity to work with such remarkable people. I enjoy meeting and working with people who are seeking personal growth and alternative approaches to life. Witnessing the progressive changes which result from following through on recovery choices remains an inspiration for my own ongoing recovery journey. In my spare time, I take part in cardio and strength building workouts. I love playing the flute, sketching, traveling, reading, and especially spending time with friends and family. I’m blessed with 2 wonderful, successful daughters and regard them as my most amazing heroines.

Hello, I'm I have been working for the Recovery Institute as a Self-Determination Specialist since August 2008. Prior to that I worked for Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. In 2005 I started working in the computer lab and in 2006 she was hired into the Peer Support Department as a Self-Determination Specialist. I received my Michigan Peer Specialist Certification in 2006, my WRAP facilitation certification in 2007 and the Recovery International Peer Specialist Certification in 2008. In my past life, I have worked a variety of jobs including: cashier and service clerk, travel agent and telephone interviewer. I have always been interested in helping others and that is one of the things that I enjoy about my job. I also like seeing individuals successfully achieve their goals. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles, playing with my cat, Jeanette, and spending time with friends and family. I am also interested in learning to work with glass and calligraphy.

I'm I am the supervisor for our access and outreach team. The team is on call at Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services 40 hours a week in the access department. We offer support to the folks that come in for help, sharing community resources as well as recovery classes and activities here at Recovery Institute. We also have an inpatient program at the local hospital called “Role Modeling Recovery”. By participating in an inpatient setting we are able to help our Peers formulate their own crisis planning and it helps just to have someone that they can relate to, visit them. The access and outreach team have much to offer their Peers by sharing their own stories, creating mutuality and by offering a recovery environment that gives them hope and validates those very feelings that need validating; usually they are misunderstood and labeled crazy, irresponsible, bad and lazy. When they are listened to and see us in recovery they always leave with a smile and sometimes that is all that we can offer them but it's huge! I have worked for Recovery Institute since August of 2008 and prior to that I worked a variety of jobs at Community Mental Health, beginning in January of 2007. I previously worked as a truck driver but had to give it up when at the age of 42 zi was diagnosed with Bipolar and the doctors said that it was too isolating and stressful. I also am the proud mother of 2 children, Brianna, 22 and Wes, 19. Because of severe depression that started after Brianna was born, I was unable to spend much time with my children. I am very thankful for my recovery that has helped me form an awesome relationship with them! They are so cool! I love my job very much and helping others in their recovery has also helped me in my recovery. I also enjoy gardening, drawing and painting, and am taking classes at the local community college. One of my favorite hobbies is thrift store shopping! When I first met some of my Peers at a collaborative meeting in 2006 I felt comfortable in my own skin for the first time. Peer support to me means being able to give back what I have been given and to help my Peers advocate for themselves. They deserve to have their voices heard and to be given back the rights that so often are denied for those of us with a neurobiological disorder. I would do my job for free if I didn't need money but most of all I love the people because these people are the most honest, loving, intelligent and creative people that I have ever known and I am proud to call them my Peers. My life is full to overflowing now with all that I have been given. I am living my life dream in doing my job as Peer Support Specialist. Just knowing that recovery from mental illness is possible still just floors me and the fact that I can share this with others is a gift that I have been given.

My name is  I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I enjoy being the coordinator of the Power Group. I work with 12 other peers that travel through Southwest Michigan sharing their recovery stories as a group. The power group reduces stigma and educates on Mental Illness when they share with the community. I started working at Recovery Institute in November of 2006. I received my training from the Appalachian Consulting Group of Georgia. Later in October of 2008 I took another training from Arizona called RIAZ. I began speaking with the Power Group in October of 2006 and later was hired to assist the former leader later becoming the coordinator. In 2008 the Power Group was featured in a documentary called “The Long Strange Trip.” We were filmed in our every day lives by two professional videographers. It was filmed to share with other that peers have hopes, dreams, and the same ambitions others want. Peer support is a connection with other people who have gone through similar situations and that you can relate to eachother. Now I work 30 hours and also enjoys working with the Pals Program. I coordinates the YMCA swim group along with the Cooking Group. These programs encourage peer social interaction in the community. Being diagnosed in 1991 with Bipolar, I went through around 11 episodes. I have been episode free for 6 years now. Steadily working with my doctor to take less medication, it is still a goal of mine to come off and be free of it someday. I like being able to help other peers share their recovery stories in the Power Group. I like to build relationships with peers and encourage them to step into more recovery. Something that others don’t know is that the summer of my senior year I worked at a Christian Camp. One night a group of us went bridge jumping into a fast flowing river. It was a major adrenalin rush let me tell you and now you would never caught me doing that again. Lastly, I am happily married and have a beautiful son because Recovery is part of my life and I am determined to RECOVER!!

I'm I have been employed in the field of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse for 25 years. I have worked for public and private organizations, in provider, manager and advocacy agencies and at the state and local levels. I served as the Director of three different local public Community Mental Health agencies. I have usually served as a “change agent” in leadership roles. I have been brought in to serve for a brief period of time in organizations and systems to lead major change initiatives. Being here at the Recovery Institute feels like I have made a long journey and have come back home. My beginnings in this field was at a time when people with mental illness were fighting for being recognized and treated in manner that reflected even the simplest notion of human dignity. The struggle continued over the years and I stayed true to and practiced my convictions that all of our people were to be guaranteed the full rights of citizenship and supported as such. On one hand, I am amazed at how far the peer movement has taken us. However, on the other hand, given the unselfish commitment and great courage many have shown—all types of folks; peers and non-peers-- in leading the way, it is no wonder that we find ourselves where we are today. This full citizenship movement is by no means complete as we seek to arrive at the ultimate destination of a celebration of community that embraces all of the people as part of the interdependent beings we are; unique and individual yet common and collective—the tapestry of our strength and existence.

Meet I began working in the mental health field twenty years ago. Much of my experience was in Chicago. It was there, sixteen years ago, that I first began hiring people in recovery, before I even knew of the term “peer.” Along the way, I have done research on historical and contemporary issues facing people with psychiatric disabilities. Just after the birth of my son Wyatt, my wife Nicole and I moved to Kalamazoo, where I became in involved in the earliest inception of the Recovery Institute Board and later hired on as a case manager for Self-determination. Since then, I have worn many hats. Prior to joining the Recovery Institute, I was the Liaison to Peer Services for Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, which in a nutshell meant doing whatever it took to support the development of the recovery movement and the Recovery Institute. I have put down roots in Kalamazoo, I now have a daughter named Guthrie and my wife has opened a kid’s bookstore. I love living in Kalamazoo and working in the middle of the recovery movement, especially in the Park Trade Center, a place full of artistic spirit. I see this movement as the truest and most effective way of promoting recovery in the community and among individuals.

Hello. I'd like to introduce myself. I am from the Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan. Part of what I do is work for the Access and Outreach Team in the access center at Kalamazoo Community Mental Health Substance Abuse Services. I try to make people feel welcome as they go the through the process of obtaining help from the Emergency Mental Health care workers, often sitting in on sessions to make them feel comfortable and maybe interjecting part of my own story of recovery if appropriate. This tells the peer they are not alone. I started working for the Recovery Institute in November of 2008. At one point I was a Sargent in in the U.S. Army and traveled to many places. As part of my recovery I got a part time job at another CMH and attained my Associates Degree in General Studies. I also traveled to Europe with a large church group to singing in some of the cathedrals there, and backpacked to the Smoky Mountains. I also played the bass guitar in St. Philips Catholic Church for many years, starting at the age of forty-six. I also come from a family of five and the second of a set of identical twins. Although we share many things in common, she does not have a mental illness. One of my passions is photography. I have a business called Integrity Photos and sell my art work around Battle C reek. My art work is about nature, off beat characters, and things one might find on the street, such as a fire hydrant hanging in mid-air, or an old red sofa on the street with a toilet on one side and a bag of garbage on the other. Peer Support means to me helping to empower others to go beyond what they think they are capable of doing. It is crossing over one's fears to grow as a person and expand in a new direction, just like a piece of art work. Currently I have moved from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo to be closer to my job. That was a decision that was not made lightly. My support system and friends of many years are all in Battle Creek I sees new things for myself in Kalamazoo. The things I likes most about my job is seeing people move out of pain and into hope, and recovery. I like seeing peers pick themselves up and try new things and move forward in their life. I am also a facilitator of the Artworks Program at the Recovery Institute. I like to see the many different ways the other peers express themselves in their artwork as they grow and change. I like to see artwork that pushes the limits of their imagination. That is also very healing. Someday the peers will be out on their own doing what they love to do. That would make me very happy.

Hello, I'm Working in the Role-Modeling Recovery program based at Borgess Hospital is one my major job responsibilities as part time staff of Recovery Institute. I enjoy spending time working with peers in crisis situations who are patients on the psychiatric ward. I find giving even the slightest amount of hope to people that may not have any at the time is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I strive to continue doing. Before being hired at RI I have had many varied experiences that I feel help me in my current job. In college I worked toward an art education degree finding value in expression of feelings through various methods and learning the different manners of learning that can be used in everyday life to help each individual succeed more fully. Jobs varying from working as a security guard, a sales associate, and a florist amongst others have given me many diversified view points on the needs of individuals in many kinds of situations. A large part of my journey through recovery and a source of extreme pride is in my ability to move from an Adult Foster Care living arrangement to the purchase of my own home. With the support of friends and family I have been able to really move forward to being more self sufficient and in finding the ways to my childhood dreams. At home I find enjoyment through things like role playing games, my pets, and a new hobby of restoring older model mopeds. I have been truly lucky to have great family and friends who have stuck by me even through the worst of situations. Peer support means for me finding help and hope from someone who has actually been there. During my own times of crisis (such as admittance to psychiatric wards for example) the total loss of hope that anything could be out there beyond my diagnosis was the worst obstacle. It was only in finally meeting some peers that were succeeding beyond their illness that I truly learned it was really possible. Having been told that by professionals and other supports who had never been there before themselves had never touched me in the same way. I find being a Peer Support Specialist an incredibly rewarding job in many ways. In working with peers one can find true pleasure in helping them find even the slightest reason to dream again. Helping someone to find a smile even when things are bad reminds me of my own struggles and gives me confidence in the knowledge that I got through them, as well as the hope that I can help someone else do the same. Out in the larger community one of my personal passions is through public speaking, both on an individual basis and to large groups, to help alleviate the various stigmas associated with mental illness and substance abuse problems. Spreading knowledge to anyone and everyone is one of the best ways to do that in my own opinion. In sharing my story and displaying my goals as well as struggles in life I feel a huge sense of accomplishment as well as personal discovery. I look forward to continuing my work as a peer support specialist and finding more and better ways to help all peers. Looking forward to the continued chance to help not only others succeed around me, but to also continue my own recovery journey through life onward and upward toward bigger and better things has been a wonderful benefit of working at the Recovery Institute.

Hello, I'm I run the computer lab. It is my job to meet with staff and consumers to teach basic computer skills, and to help them with their problems. I started in this position on July 14, 2009. Before devoting his time solely to the Recovery Institute, I spent two years as a Peer Companion, and spent the last year as a group facilitator for Interact. During my time as a Peer Companion and Group Facilitator he made the shift from being focused on engineering to social work. Following my fifth hospitalization in 2007, I made a life and career change. I now enjoy helping others. Prior work experience includes painting and home repairs, two years at Steelcase, being a store clerk, and extensive food service and restaurant work. He spent many years as a full or part time student. The schools I attended include Hope College from 1982-1987, GRCC in 1991-1992, GVSU in 1993-1994, Western in 2005, and KVCC. I hold an Associate of Arts degree in engineering from GRCC. Steve enjoys learning and for many years considered myself a professional student. Although education is dear to my heart, I have enjoyed the transition to work. I enjoy working with computers, exercise, watching sports on TV, listening to music, and playing with my cat. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family. Although I have had many hobbies over the years, playing golf remains a passion. Peer Support is a recovery journey of helping others to wellness. I find that by helping others I get a chance to work on myself and to grow in character and as a person. After twenty five years working on my recovery, being a Peer Support Specialist is a chance to reach out to others. I feel that I get much more back than I give. Working with others has changed my life. *The thing that Steve likes most about his job is that he is using his technical skills and the things he studied for, in his work in the computer lab.

I'm My mother died when I was two years old. I didn't meet my father until I was in my second year at the University Of Michigan. My mother's parents raised me. They were both physically abusive and mentally cruel. I was able to keep myself focused because of my love of the Lord. I knew at an early age that education was the key to my success in life. I always did well at school. It was God's love and grace that prepared me to be the man that I am today. I had my ups and downs like most people. I have been homeless and lived in my car for one summer. I have a strong commitment to help others. This is why I chose Social Work as a profession. I received my Master's Degree in Social Work in 1990. I have worked in all my jobs with the dedication of helping and giving good examples of how to move through life's difficulties. This can be a tough business because people have to be ready for change. Change isn't easy. To face one's difficulties in the mirror can be a humbling and frightening. The one lesson I learned early in life is that you must first get on the road to success. Being on that road you will meet people that will be willing to help you and support your efforts to do right. I was told my mother said: "If they can do it, then you can do it to". It does not matter if you have to take the long road around. Keep the faith and be willing to fight to make your dreams come true. God will not forsake you and he will always come when you need him the most. The longest journey begins with the very first step. I would like to encourage all to follow their dreams. It doesn't matter if others do not understand or believe in you. You must first believe in yourself and dedicate yourself to your dream. Remember it is your dream not the dream of others that you are pursuing. The dream is your choice. You must do the work to achieve it. Remain optimistic about yourself. There is no good thing that you cannot do as long as you remain sober.

My name is and I am a Community Living Recovery Coach at the Recovery Institute. I offer support services, transportation, and activity opportunities for Recovery Institute members. I started working for the Recovery Institute in August, 2008. I have a bachelors degree in Communications, and have worked in social work for the last eleven years. I have worked as a social worker for a nursing home, a crisis intervention line, and for Kalamazoo Community Mental Health in the past. I am married with two beautiful children, and my favorite hobbies include camping, reading, playing cards, and exercising. When I think of Peer Support, I think of people helping people who have similar experiences. I have a history of substance abuse, and I was able to recover in large part because of the sharing and support of others who had been through what I had been through. Being able to help others along in their recovery towards independence, personal responsibility, and basically just feeling good about their lives, is my favorite part, of being a part of the Recovery Institute.

My name is I am a Recovery Institute volunteer. I worked with Matt to design the look of this website. I enjoy chatting with the creative members of Artworks, and sometimes lending a hand. To volunteer for Artworks, call Paula at (269) 343-6725.

I'm I'm the webmaster for this site. If you have any suggestions or comments about the site please email me at:  mattwilliams59@yahoo.com