Pathways Vermont is a leader in the state’s peer workforce movement and is working to greatly improve consistency, infrastructure, communication, and resource sharing among the peer-workforce community. We are dedicated to ensuring that all Vermonters are in a position to lead healthy and meaningful lives in their community.
Pathways Vermont was awarded a grant for a Peer Workforce Development Initiative (PWDI) by The Department of Mental Health (DMH) in early 2020. The Peer Workforce Development Initiative grant was developed by DMH to help the state build and maintain an infrastructure for a statewide mental health peer workforce. Goals of the initiative include, creating a steering committee, evaluating statewide peer workforce needs, facilitating awareness and participation by providing resources and information to peer support workers, and ensuring the availability of peer support worker training.
“This is a great opportunity to help shift the paradigm around mental health services utilizing the collective voices of Vermonters with shared experiences. We are excited about the possibilities for transformative change by providing empowering connections throughout the statewide peer network.” – Pathways Vermont Executive Director, Hilary Melton
Upcoming Trainings
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our trainings
The mission of the PWDI includes the facilitation of various statewide peer support work trainings. Pathways Vermont is working to continuously provide peer workers with innovative and evolving opportunities to learn, grow and share experiences. Our regular trainings and discussions include, but are not limited to:
- Intentional Peer Support
- Harm Reduction
- Conversations About Suicide
- Conversation About Oppression and Privilege
Sign up for the PWDI newsletter above to be in the know on all upcoming trainings and to be alerted when new trainings are added!
Vermont peer Trainings & opportunities
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Meet Our Trainers
Rebeka Lawrence-Gomez
Pathways Vermont
Rebeka Lawrence-Gomez
Pathways Vermont
Rebeka has been with Pathways Vermont since its inception in 2009. She is committed to human rights, opportunities for all, and individual choice. Prior to her work with Pathways she taught as a Peace Corps volunteer in Batangas, Philippines and worked with Disability Rights Vermont.
Lindsay Mesa
Pathways Vermont
Lindsay Mesa
Pathways Vermont
Lindsay has over 7 years of experience leading Housing First programs at Pathways Vermont. Prior to that, Lindsay worked with people experiencing homelessness in New York City in shelters and soup kitchens throughout the city. Lindsay holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from New York University. She currently serves as the Director of Housing First Programs at Pathways Vermont and looks forward to ending homelessness in the state.
J Helms
Pathways Vermont
J Helms
Pathways Vermont
J Helms is a psychiatric survivor, advocate, educator, and writer. J works with Pathways Vermont as a Training Institute Associate. They have previously worked as a service coordinator in Pathways' Housing First program and a peer advocate at a designated agency. J is a certified IPS Organizational Trainer, Alternatives to Suicide group facilitator, and Hearing Voices group facilitator. They've facilitated trainings and workshops on various topics including psych survivor allyship, trans 101 and trans allyship, LGBTQ+ youth and homelessness, and conversations about suicide.
Alex Ferguson
Pathways Vermont
Alex Ferguson
Pathways Vermont
Alexander is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. He has a background in sound & audio engineering. After having attended college in NYC, he spent time traveling around the country learning about different communities. Moved back to Vermont in 2013 and began volunteering with Pathways. He has been facilitating the IPS training for the past five years. Alexander is currently the Team Lead at the Pathways VT Community center.
Calvin Moen
Western Mass Recovery Learning Community
Calvin Moen
Western Mass Recovery Learning Community
Calvin Moen is a psychiatric survivor, advocate, educator, writer, editor, and performer. He is currently the Greenfield coordinator for the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community and a co-founder and organizer of the Brattleboro-based Hive Mutual Support Network.
Malaika Puffer
Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Vermont
Malaika Puffer
Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Vermont
Malaika (she/her) manages peer support services at HCRS, informed by her extensive experience receiving services and connection to the psychiatric survivor/mad pride movement. She is a trainer of Intentional Peer Support and A Harm Reduction Approach to Psych Drugs. Outside of work, Malaika is a co-founder of The Hive Mutual Support Network in Brattleboro where she lives with her partner.