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Staff

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JOSHUA WALLACE

CEO & President

read his bio HERE

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CODY B. WEST

Chief Program Officer

read his bio HERE

SITE STAFF

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SARAH ANDREWS

Program Director

Born in Santa Rosa, CA, Sarah and her family spent much of her youth moving to various states. When she turned 22, she finally moved to Washington and fell in love with its beauty. Growing up, she struggled with her sexuality and feelings of self-worth while silently battling anxiety and depression. It wasn't until a close family member faced similar mental health challenges that Sarah realized the importance of peer support. The experience motivated her to get certified as a peer counselor to use her lived experiences to help others. Now a Program Manager for Peer Kent, she brings her wealth of passion and experience to her community. She is also honing her practice on trauma-informed yoga for youth and adults. Spreading messages of self-love and mindfulness is always paramount for Sarah. 

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WILDER WALKER

Program Manager

Wilder was born and raised on the east coast and came to Peer Kent via Peer Seattle. She walked through the doors of SASG (now Peer Seattle) in June of 2018, where she felt fully accepted as she was on her path. She eagerly sought out the Peer Recovery Coach program and was quickly paired with a Peer Coach who was crucial on her healing journey. Wilder then volunteered at the front desk, became a group facilitator, an Intern at Peer Seattle, and became a certified Peer Recovery Coach in April 2019. Wilder is also a certified yoga teacher with over ten years of experience and is passionate about bringing trauma-informed yoga and movement to others in recovery. 

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COLETTE RAPP

Program Manager

Colette was born in upstate NY and moved to Seattle in the early 1990s. Since the age of thirteen, Colette has struggled with substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and family dysfunction. Fortunately, that struggle manifested into a gift she now uses to provide support to others. Colette's journey in the helping field started in 2011 as a substance abuse counselor and then evolved into transitional housing support. This was where she truly felt her passion develop. Since then, Colette has collected numerous seminars and certifications, including mental health first aid, de-escalation, and suicide prevention. She has over four years of hands-on experience with peers in transitional housing and understands the need for community support along with personal support to obtain and keep permanent housing. Colette embraces the opportunity to walk with others on their unique recovery journey. 

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MARJORIE DRIEU

Program Manager

Marjorie comes from France and Ireland and has been in the US since 2003. She was very involved in sports growing up and competed as a gymnast for 15 years. In June of 2011, Marjorie got diagnosed with chronic stress fractures in her back, which promptly ended her gymnastics career. Having so much free time on her hands and not knowing what to fill it with, she turned to drugs, and the next eight years were filled with unhealthy choices, incarceration, and treatment facilities. On May 6, 2019, Marjorie learned she was pregnant; her sobriety started the next day. After this jumpstart of motivation, she has since found passion in life. She is a King County Drug Diversion Court graduate, an active member in the 12-Step meeting community, and is a dedicated mother to her son, Liam. Marjorie hopes to become a pillar in the recovery community and strives to make a difference using her personal and professional experience. She is a certified Recovery Coach and works as a Peer Services Specialist at Peer Kent.

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MICHAEL SHAPSNIKOFF

Program Manager

Mike is from Unalaska, Alaska, and relocated to Seattle when he was two years old. Michael was raised in an abusive and drug-addicted home and was a child in the foster care system. He was eventually returned home to this environment when the foster home was found to be more unsafe. Mike struggled with mental illness and various addictions most of his life, in January 2019, he found himself repeating history when his own children were taken into care because of violence and addiction in the home. It wasn't until December of 2020 that Mike had enough of feeding his addiction and being homeless. He knew he needed to change or he was going to die, and he began his walk on the Red Road that led to healing relationships with his wife and children.

 

His work at Northwest Indian Treatment Center made him realize he was running from childhood trauma all his life and brought him back to his Native American culture. After leaving treatment, Mike helped open Oxford House Totem as one of its first residents, where he lived for a year until moving back in with his wife and six children. He has put in a lot of work to become a better father, engaging in Native Parenting classes and acknowledging that children flourish with love, support, and a safe place to be heard. He takes pride in advocating for fathers' rights and has become someone that other men in recovery come to for insight when navigating parenting advice and family court issues. He now considers himself in long-term recovery and says, "Every day is a good day." Mike is enrolled Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska and enjoys attending sweats and learning to drum and sing indigenous songs every Sunday on the Puyallup reservation. Working for Peer Kent is a step in the right direction toward Mike's goal of becoming a certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Mike wants to support as many people as possible on their recovery journey and begin their healing, whatever that looks like for each individual he encounters. 

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CHARLES TATUM

Peer Services Specialist

Born in 1965, Arkansas, Charles relocated to Seattle when he was four years old. He lived most of his life in the Central District of Seattle around drugs, violence, and gangs. As a young child, Charles would draw to escape the real world, but the real world eventually caught up. Charles began spending more time hustling and smoking weed. He started getting in trouble for stealing, and then the judge finally got tired of it and sentenced Charles to a year and a day in prison. There, he was introduced to primo, smoking weed and crack mixed together. This was his drug for over ten years. He ended up being wanted and took off on the run, ending up in Minnesota. Charles was apprehended there and was sentenced to a very lengthy prison sentence. Here is where he finally had to admit that he had a problem. Since his release over 13 years ago and a relapse, Charles has now arrived at this point in his life that he has only dreamed of while being stuck in jail. Being a Peer Services Specialist for Jail Health Services is perfect for Charles due to his years of lived experience. Now he continues this work at other facilities and keeps coming up with more ways to get peers the help they need. 

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TONY CAMPBELL

Certified Peer Counselor

Tony was born in Renton, WA, and lived in King County till the age of 10. At that time, his family of six moved to Sequim, WA, to get away from the city life and have a tranquil upbringing. Well, things don’t always end up as we planned. After having lost half his family in 2 years in different tragedies, he was repeatedly recycled in and out of the criminal justice system while, at the same time, battling substance abuse issues and homelessness. 

The many traumas and hardships he faced have empowered him with the strength to rebuild his life as he believes in leading by example and showing others that after losing so much, there is still LOVE. Tony saw the power of peer support, and with the encouragement of people around him, he became a CPC, then a recovery coach. The journey Tony experienced created the kind, loving, and happy person he is today while providing him the passion for assisting others on their path to healing. 

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CAT DAIGLE

Peer Services Specialist

Cat was born in Palm Springs, California, and has lived in several states until 2021, making Kent, Washington her newest home. Since the age of eighteen, Cat has struggled with a chronic disease, an opioid addiction, severe depression, mental health hurdles, family traumas, and homelessness. Cat found herself through the support of her family and the community at Peer Kent. She became a volunteer, a group facilitator, a recovery coach, and is about to complete her training as a certified peer counselor. She also enjoys horseback riding, dancing, cross-stitching, and spending time with her family.

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TRIANA O'CAIN

Peer Services Specialist

Triana's life started here in good old Seattle, Washington, raised in the Central District. Growing up as a teenager around those times was very challenging. She overcame many of her childhood traumas through therapy. Triana enrolled in the early '90s for Computer Engineering. Then, to continue her education, she later went to GRCC for Computer Software. During her education, she explored some culinary arts classes, which she very much so enjoyed. Feeding the homeless in Triana's spare time was her way of giving back to the community. She has worked at the Department of Social and Health Services, assisting with clients' employment and housing placement. Triana is grateful to be here at Peer Kent Services to expand her journey.  

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NIMO ABDULLAHI

Peer Services Specialist

Nimo's family emigrated from Somalia and settled in Minnesota. After graduating from high school and giving birth to her daughter, she moved to San Diego, California, in 2005. In San Diego, Nimo worked multiple jobs to support her family. Everything on the outside was going exceptionally well; however, the stress of past traumas was rearing its head. Turning to drugs and alcohol, it got to the point where she was using every day. 

Nimo went through multiple programs throughout her recovery, but she kept relapsing until she found herself in jail for the umpteenth time. After being re-released from prison on August 5th, 2019, she made that date her sober birthday. Nimo looked at her life with a different lens; she wanted to be free from addiction. She took advantage of all the help that was offered to her, she attended IOP regularly, met with her case manager, and did everything that the program asked of her. She found a job and finally had structure and stability. Nimo graduated from drug court on July 8th, 2020, and then from San Diego State University in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Social Work. Being sober now for three years, Nimo is very excited to join the Peer Kent team and share her story to encourage strength and hope in others. 

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DEVIN MOORE

Peer Services Specialist

Devin is a Washington native who has lived everywhere from south Tacoma to Bellingham. He lived with his mother until age 11, then moved in with his grandmother on Vashon Island due to neglect/abuse in his home. Devin started getting in trouble at a young age while experimenting with drugs and alcohol. His experimentation with drugs progressed more and more over the next 16 years. This peaked seven years ago when he finally hit rock bottom, living on the streets, using intravenously, and committing crimes daily to chase his dragon.

 

That all stopped on January 15th, 2021, when he was caught jaywalking, and a police officer ran his name to find that he had multiple warrants. Devin’s life very well may have been saved that day. He served his jail time, then decided to go to inpatient treatment and move into Oxford house. At about the same time as getting out of treatment, he connected with his new family of peers. Devin started volunteering and meeting with his recovery coach, who empowered and helped him find his own hope. Devin is a year and a half into his recovery journey and has gone from having no hope for his future to finally living a life full of possibilities.

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TIANNA STEVENS

Peer Services Specialist

Tianna was born and raised here in the Pacific Northwest. While growing up, she struggled with issues of insecurities and family separation. Tianna was also diagnosed with Depression as well as PTSD when she was young. Along with facing the challenges that her mental health bestowed upon her life, she later faced more complications while battling drug addiction, homelessness, and even incarceration. 

Since April 26, 2020, Tianna has successfully graduated from Pierce County Drug Court and has been living her life in recovery. Tianna has not only made significant strides regarding her drug addiction, mental health, and background but has fought her way out of living in her car. Today she is reunited with her family as well as her three wonderful sons, is earning a college degree from Clover Park Technical College, and strives each and every day to help others. Tianna Stevens is a firm believer in the fact that if she can do it, then anyone can. 

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GREGORY BANKS

Peer Services Specialist

A lifelong resident of the Seattle Central Area, Greg grew up in what most would consider a healthy home environment. He attended private school, youth group, marching band, and sang in the church choir. Unfortunately, there were secrets, the kind that Greg felt could only be solved by drugs and alcohol. At age 10, Greg found weed and then spent the next thirty-two years looking for the right cocktail to make the pain disappear. All this led to petty crimes, unstable income, and jail time. Facing a three-year bid in prison, Greg opted for King County Drug Court.

Drug Court was the breath of fresh air that Greg needed. He graduated in 2008 and became an active member of the recovery community in Seattle. Greg found that all his life experiences can be used to help others who struggle with living life on life's terms. Greg has held positions at Therapeutic Health Services as a UA Tech and a Case Manager for the ROYAL Program. Youth Minister and Program Manager at a local church. Member of the Chaplaincy Program at King County Juvenile Detention Center. Mentor Coordinator for Seattle Cares and Case Manager at Safe Futures. 

In 2019 Greg left the Seattle area seeking experiences from other parts of the country. Working with the DJJ in Florida as a Youth Care Worker was very rewarding, but with the arrival of Covid 19, he found himself longing for family and the Pacific Northwest. Greg is now excited to return to where his journey began, King County Drug Court. Greg's experience makes him the perfect peer services specialist back here at Peer Kent. 

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MICHAEL ROBERTSON

Peer Services Specialist

Michael is a Certified Peer Counselor and a behavioral health policy advocate. He is a lifelong Seattle area resident with deep roots in the community. He formerly provided peer support and navigation in superior and diversion courts. His goal is to be a valuable asset and a conduit for recovery, empowerment, and change serving people through his lived experience. As passionate as he is about healing and promoting opportunities for change, he also has a fervent love for music, cooking, and spending time with people in recovery. Michael says he is blessed to be a peer support and recovery community member. Michael looks forward to making a positive difference for all seeking freedom and relief from substance use disorders and the harmful effects of the oppressive carceral systems plaguing marginalized communities. Joining the Peer Kent team is the perfect fit for him to serve and be an advocate for progress. 

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JOHNNA SELLERS

Peer Services Specialist

Johnna is a grateful recovering addict who has dedicated herself to breaking the cycle of generational trauma in her family. She was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest by a single mother. During her childhood, she experienced various types of abuse and neglect that taught her to sacrifice herself to please others and avoid conflict. After years of sexual assaults and domestic violence, Johnna gave up on herself and began using drugs and alcohol to replace connection and meaningful relationships. Struggling with addiction and self-loathing, she lost her children to the DCYF system. In the contemplation stage of change, she became pregnant with her 4th biological child and made the choice to get clean. She entered into treatment on June 12th, 2019, and maintains a clean date of June 13th, 2019. She successfully engaged in two pregnant and parenting women inpatient programs, four styles of Parent/Child therapy classes, two types of sober supportive transitional housing, Family Treatment Court, and King County Drug Diversion Court. She is committed to her recovery through two self-proclaimed mottos: “Repair & Replace” and “Erase adverse childhood experiences by providing positive ones.”

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CAT TORRES

Peer Services Specialist

Cat was born and raised in the Southend of Seattle. She grew up with an alcoholic/addict dad who was abusive, and her mom was dealing with years of generational trauma herself. Trauma and abuse were a big part of her life growing up and into her early adulthood, which led to addiction, losing custody of her kids, jail, and homelessness. Now, she has been sober for almost five years. Cat is a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, and because of this, she dedicates a lot of time to advocating for women that need assistance with resources. She has been a recovery coach for almost five years and a recovery coach trainer for four years. She is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma, and also Siksika. Culture and family are very important for Cat. She is currently a student at Northwest Indian College full-time, finishing her Bachelor's in Native Environmental Science with an Associate's in chemical dependency. In her free time, she is with her two teenage boys and the rest of her family.

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AMARI DAVIS

Peer Services Specialist

Amari is a QTBIPOC trauma and substance use survivor. Born in TX in 1988, they spent a lot of their life moving around, struggling to make friends and find community while facing domestic violence and abuse in their childhood home. At 17, Amari turned to drugs and alcohol to subdue the feelings of guilt, shame, and fear they felt from loneliness and suppression, trying several times to find recovery before embarking on a journey of self-discovery through sobriety and healing in January 2020. Moving from Oklahoma City to Houston into sober living, Amari has not used in over three years. After six months, they regained custody of their (now) 14-year-old son before moving to Seattle in October 2021. 

Amari’s time working as office support at ETS in Downtown Seattle brightened the spotlight on the challenges within the recovery community. This included volunteering at Peer Seattle, supporting peers in recovery through recovery coaching, and working on various committees dedicated to community justice and equity for marginalized folk. Amari’s experience as a trans, queer, and mixed-race Black person in recovery has driven their desire to be a part of the peer community and a safe and comfortable face for others to relate to. They hope to continue to pave the way for more QTBIPOC recovering from systemic and intergenerational trauma to continue to create and take up the space they need and deserve to support themselves. 

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SECILIA CHOUAP

Peer Services Specialist

Secilia is the mother of two beautiful children and a huge puppy named Maru, the lights of her life. She believes it’s never too late to become the you that you are meant to be. Prior to becoming a CPC, she spent a lot of time doing customer service jobs, not knowing yet what she wanted to passionately do with her life. At a time when she was feeling lost, by pure chance, Secilia began an internship with Peer Kent. After becoming educated about what Peer Support is, Secilia began to realize the parts of her life she had thought were her weaknesses, had become her strengths. Recovery is possible, and she loves spreading that hope to others. 

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DANIEL PORRO

Peer Services Specialist

Daniel was born and raised on Vashon Island, Washington. He was introduced to marijuana and alcohol at a young age when his battles with addiction began. At 23, he was the driver in a drunk-driving accident in which his vehicle struck a telephone pole at nearly 90 mph, requiring the jaws of life and an airlift from Vashon to Harborview. The subsequent surgery from this incident was his first introduction to opiates, and his addiction continued to progress for the next 11 years. Unable to hold a job due to his addiction, Daniel turned to criminal activity, which landed him in the King County Drug Court program. Daniel started in-patient treatment on July 22, 2021, and has been clean ever since. He graduated from the King County Drug Court Program and has found a desire in himself to support other people and continue learning and working on his recovery. 12-step, therapy, family, peer support, and doing his best at remaining willing are essential pieces of his recovery journey. He enjoys gardening, learning, connecting with nature, his dog, and many other new things he’s been able to discover since beginning his recovery. Peer work is a passion for Daniel, and he wants to use his lived experience and kind nature to help support others.

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