September 2025

Training celebrates new cohort

A new cohort completed Cascadia’s Peer Wellness Specialist training in August, continuing the momentum for this new training series.

The second session of Cascadia’s new 80-hour Peer Wellness Specialist training program took place August 11-22. Eighteen participants completed the training to become registered to join Oregon’s peer workforce. Participants came from across the Portland Metro area, and some traveled all the way from Woodburn, Bend, and Eugene for the OHA-approved, two-week training.

These professionals have an important role in community health. Bringing our first-hand experience, we walk alongside others and help them navigate life’s challenges. This training helps people get ready to enter the workforce.

What participants are saying:

“Rhea supported students and created a safe space for learning that was comprehensive and covered the knowledge needed to become a great PWS! PWS training affected my life for the positive. I learned a lot. It made me a stronger person and I was thoroughly educated on Peer Wellness work.”

-Michelle H., August 2025 PWS training graduate

“The Peer Wellness Training hosted by Cascadia has transformed my self-understanding and empowered me to transform painful life experiences into opportunities to walk beside others experiencing addiction or difficulties. Rhea and Molly created space for my personal healing and self-understanding.”

-Robb Trujillo, August 2025 PWS training graduate

Next Training

Cascadia’s next peer training session kicks off Sept. 22. It will take place over five weeks, meeting two days per week.

Do you have lived experience of mental health challenges and want to support others in finding a path of recovery, change, and empowerment? You could have what it takes to become a PWS and encourage others on their journey. Sign up for announcements and updates on our Peer Training webpage!

Partnerships & Other Training Opportunities

In addition to the PWS training program, Cascadia’s peer training project includes ongoing work with community partners. NAMI Multnomah, the African Youth and Refugee Organization and True Color Recovery are some of the collaborators working to create more Peer Support Specialist trainings that are both culturally responsive and culturally specific. This two-year project was made possible by funding from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Future Ready Oregon Grant, which seeks to advance a more equitable workforce system and decrease barriers to job training programs in important sectors.

Congratulations to all of our training participants!