Our Story

Communities Voices knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by but, most notably, through the actions of our initiatives. Our story began with the pandemic when everyone’s lives paused and our world changed. We worked for a disaster relief program back when everyone seemed to think the pandemic would end quickly. FEMA grants funded temporary programs to provide relief services to the public. The program was intended to last three months, and after a year of extensions, the program was finally gaining traction just in time to end. We knew our communities’ needs extended beyond a temporary program’s abilities. We also understand that the needs of our communities are not limited to disasters. Crisis happens every day. Even so, a person doesn't need to be in crisis to need help. We know that by working together with other peers and existing community organizations, we can overcome our challenges much more efficiently, which is why we ultimately decided to launch Communities Voices.

We founded this organization because we have always wanted to help people. It’s part of who we are, and we know many people go into the services field for the same reason. As peers, we understand what it is like to have an “invisible” disability. We understand what it is like to need help and not know where to turn. We also know what it’s like to finally find the support we need, only to be turned away because we didn’t meet the criteria or because the system is already overwhelmed. We have been through it. We have navigated the systems in our communities. In the process, we found many amazing organizations that help in different ways. Our goal is to build connections to improve our communities’ well-being.

Communities Voices continues to

Vision

To cultivate a thriving and empowered peer support workforce that is valued, supported, and equipped to lead the way in mental health and wellness.

Mission

To provide education, training, and support services for peer support specialists, peer-run organizations, and employers to promote professional development, advocate for peer support integration, and foster a culture of wellness and equity.

Core Values

Our core values are the guiding principles used in our day-to-day activities and to plan future projects that propel us to create meaningful impact as we focus on achieving our mission and vision.

Peer Empowerment: We prioritize the lived experience and inherent strengths of peers, empowering them to advocate for themselves and contribute meaningfully to the mental health system.
Collaboration and Partnership: We foster collaborative relationships with peers, employers, community organizations, and systems to maximize our collective impact and create systemic change.
Equity and Inclusion: We are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work, ensuring that our services are accessible, culturally responsive, and affirming of all identities.
Wellness and Recovery: We embrace the 8 dimensions of wellness and promote recovery-oriented practices that support the holistic well-being of peers and the organizations that employ them. We are dedicated to providing resources and training that help peers thrive in their roles while prioritizing their own self-care and long-term wellness.
Integrity and Accountability: We operate with transparency, honesty, and accountability, holding ourselves to the highest ethical standards in our interactions and practices.
Learning and Innovation: We embrace a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and growth, adapting our services to meet the evolving needs of the peer support field.