Joaquin "Ken" Delgado hails from the beautiful island of Guam. He spent 15 years working at the Navy shipyard as a marine machine mechanic. Unfortunately, he experienced some setbacks along the way and was incarcerated for a period of time. Upon his release, he recognized the need for change in his life and entered ABHS for drug abuse treatment. Per court order, he successfully graduated from ABHS and completed an intensive outpatient program in March of 2022. 

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Since then, Ken has dedicated himself to helping others who struggle with addiction. He currently serves as a peer recovery coach at Peer Kent and as a group facilitator. Additionally, he works as a Peer Services Specialist in the Renton Municipal Court, providing support and guidance to those navigating the legal system while in recovery. Ken is committed to using his experiences to help others on their journey toward healing and overcoming addiction.

Lane, a resident of Snohomish County, had a challenging upbringing that led him down a path of addiction and legal troubles at a young age. After facing the possibility of returning to prison for the sixth time, Lane made a pivotal decision to seek assistance through drug court, only to be denied four times. Undeterred, Lane recognized that the key to gaining admission into the program was to demonstrate his unwavering dedication.

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Taking matters into his own hands, Lane posted bail, secured employment, and found a clean and sober living environment to showcase his commitment to recovery. After staying clean for over a year while diligently attending court dates, Lane's determination paid off, and he gained acceptance into the drug court program.

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During his first year of recovery, Lane made remarkable strides in rebuilding his life. He acquired his own apartment, established stability, obtained a driver's license, and joined a supportive group of individuals all dedicated to overcoming addiction. Embracing the opportunity provided by drug court, Lane successfully navigated the program and managed to remain free from any violations. Additionally, he went above and beyond by supporting fellow participants in their quest for employment and stability.

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Lane's transformation serves as an inspirational testament to the power of determination and resilience when given the necessary support and resources. His unwavering commitment to sobriety and personal growth highlights his ability to not only rebuild his life but also contribute positively to the lives of others. 

Jill is a natural-born Washingtonian who enjoys the outdoors. As a youngling, she enjoyed the outside so much that she joined in any sport she could. But she struggled secretly with mental illness; making friends with others was difficult. In school, she was severely bullied to the point of trying to commit suicide several times up into her adulthood. It was always difficult for her family members to recognize the subtle signs. As a teen, she was wild, experienced homelessness, did many hard drugs, and partied.

As Jill aged into young adulthood, her mental illness didn't get any better because she was in an abusive relationship with two young children. She was not doing many drugs at this time, if any at all because she was always afraid of CPS and losing her children. In her mid-twenties, she got rid of her abusive boyfriend. Jill did many years in restaurant service, but the extreme environment was a challenge, especially with little support. After a while, she learned about peer support and knew she would do well in that area because she had to deal with most problems alone and always had to advocate for herself. She loves helping others and finds seeing others succeed in life is one of the greatest passions in the world. She went to class for CPC and volunteered her time to learn the ropes. Jill is happy-go-lucky and enjoys life to the max nowadays!

Anthony was born and raised in Dallas, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of North Texas. He struggled with mental health during his studies and became addicted to drugs and alcohol to avoid the trauma and abuse he endured for years as a child. His struggle with addiction led to him losing various jobs, living in his car, and eventually his arrest. Being incarcerated forced him to think about his decisions and allowed him to take advantage of all the resources that were offered to him. After his release, he started mental health counseling, moved to a transition home, and attended support groups where he found a sense of community and purpose.

Anthony is committed to serving others in recovery and being the person he needed when he was younger. Outside of peer work, you can catch him reading a book, jogging, or spending time with his friends. 

George Njuguna was born in Kiambu, Kenya, and his early life was marked by domestic violence and frequent relocations. After immigrating to the USA, he faced cultural challenges, leading to significant mental health struggles. Despite the adversity, including the loss of his father and legal troubles, George sought help and began his recovery journey through Pioneer Human Services, Valley Cities, and Asian Counseling Services.

With the support of Renton Municipal Court, Peer WA, and Peer Kent, George found purpose in helping others on their recovery paths. He is also a community leader at Holy Spirit Church and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mental health, committed to inspiring and supporting others through his lived experiences.

Ashley was born in San Clemente, California, but moved to Washington at only a couple of months old. She was raised by a single mother and has 3 younger sisters. She was the first in her family to not only graduate high school but receive a scholarship to finish nursing school. She was determined to break the cycle of childhood trauma.  Ashley was a Care Director before losing her job due to her addiction. During that time, she was in and out of treatment centers, Involved with the justice system, and even lost custody of her children. It wasn't until Ashley went to her 5th inpatient treatment center and was willing to do anything to stay clean and sober. She moved into Oxford right out of treatment, where she was able to regain custody of her children and rebuild her life. Ashley first came to Peer Kent as an Intern, then a recovery coach, and now she is the Federal Way Municipal Courts Peer. She uses her lived experience to empower and guide others on their paths to recovery. When Ashley is not at work she is spending time with her children and family. 

While Kay was born in Washington State and has lived there her whole life, she never really had one place she could call home, with her family moving multiple times throughout her childhood. She was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, which, combined with her anxiety, made school difficult for her. For most of her adult life, she felt like a spectator in her own life as she faced a monotonous daily routine. It wasn't until 2020 that Kay finally admitted to herself after several decades of repression that she was a trans woman, explaining many of the feelings she had grappled with in the past. While stuck at a job that she was scared to come out and be herself at, she began looking for a new start. After applying to a litany of places and getting no calls back or interviews going nowhere after the fact, she found out about an opportunity to volunteer at Peer Kent and develop a new skill set. She now works as an employment specialist, working to help people find work and careers that can uplift and empower them. When Kay isn't at work, she can usually be found weaving collaborative stories with her friends through tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons.