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.

Chris is a dedicated Peer Support Specialist who brings a wealth of lived experience and a deep passion for helping others navigate their own paths to recovery. With years of personal experience in addiction, incarceration, and homelessness, he understands the challenges many face in rebuilding their lives. Having lived on the streets in several states, Chris has endured significant loss, yet he continues to find strength through resilience and growth.

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Now sober for over a year, Chris is thrilled to give back to the recovery community. His journey of self-improvement and personal development has led him to this fulfilling role in the recovery field, where he can offer hope and support to others who are facing similar struggles. With a strong commitment to self-improvement and empowering others, Chris is always seeking new knowledge, tools, and approaches to enhance his own growth and the well-being of those he works with.

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Previously a laborer, this is Chris’s first role in the recovery field, but he brings a genuine desire to learn and make a meaningful impact on others' lives. He is excited to contribute to the healing and transformation of his peers and to continue growing in his journey as a Peer Support Specialist.

Maggie Greene (she/her) left her home state of Kentucky and moved to Washington in 2013. She is passionate about creating safe, welcoming spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Her professional background spans government administration, social services, journalism, and small business ownership, where she approached every role grounded in core values of trust, empathy, inclusion, and authentic connection. She brings her whole self to all her work while managing ADHD, chronic anxiety, and CPTSD. With lived experience as a child abuse survivor, shaped by personal traumas from rural poverty, food and housing scarcity, generational family mental health and substance use issues, Maggie understands both the challenges and hope that come with the journey of growth, healing, and recovery. As Family Navigator at Peer Kent, she provides compassionate support to help families and loved ones heal and thrive. Outside the PK office, she's a self-made wardrobe stylist who enjoys reading, writing, sewing, singing, baking, and themed social events.  

Born in Yakima and raised in Puyallup, Tori grew up deeply loved by her devoted father while navigating the challenges of her mother’s addiction. Longing for connection, she worked hard to build a relationship with her mom, eventually moving in with her. Though it wasn’t the stability she had hoped for, those experiences strengthened her resilience.

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After facing trauma, homelessness, and her own struggles with addiction, Tori’s life changed when she became a mother and met her now-husband. Surrounded by unconditional love, she found the safe space she needed to heal and rebuild. Determined to create a better future, Tori earned an internship at Peer Kent, where she now uses her lived experience to support others on their recovery journey and help them find safe, stable housing—something she believes everyone deserves.

Outside of work, Tori enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks in the sunshine, and binge-watching Netflix.

Shana was born in Virginia, and after spending time in the Pacific Northwest, California, New York City, and New Jersey, she finally settled in North Carolina until last year, when she moved to Washington. Shana was raised in an alcoholic home and inherited the disease of addiction from her father, who helped her get sober for the first time in the 90’s. After staying sober for most of her teens and twenties, Shana had to go out and do a bit more “research” before finding her way back to recovery in her early 30’s. Shana is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and found a real home in queer recovery meetings. Professionally, Shana accidentally got way too much education, which led to the best outcome: teaching in prisons for her entire professional life, then moving into reentry work from there. This work has taught her that the most difficult barriers people face upon release are housing and employment, and she is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to help people with the latter here at Peer Kent.

Margarita, born in California, faced a challenging upbringing, losing her mother at the age of six and navigating a difficult childhood. Despite these early adversities, she has shown remarkable strength in overcoming significant obstacles, including struggles with alcohol abuse, homelessness, and mental health challenges. Margarita also encountered legal troubles in her past, but her turning point came with the birth of her children, who have been a constant source of motivation and inspiration. Today, she has successfully turned her life around, proving that the past does not define her. Margarita now stands as a testament to resilience, using her experiences to inspire others and demonstrate the power of personal transformation. 

Jalisa is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and carries the strength, resilience, and cultural values of her community into every aspect of her life. Her lived experiences with substance use and mental health challenges have shaped who she is today, fostering a deep sense of empathy, relatability, and interconnectedness with others on their own healing journeys.

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She is a proud mother to a 13-year-old son, who continues to be one of her greatest sources of inspiration and motivation. Her journey has been one of growth, self-discovery, and commitment—not only to her own well-being but also to helping others find theirs.

Jalisa began her path in peer support as a volunteer front desk representative at Peer Kent, where she first recognized the transformative power of shared experiences and authentic connections. That opportunity inspired her to give back in a meaningful way, and she is now building her career toward becoming a certified peer counselor.

Born in San Francisco, California, Stanley Feliciano spent his early life navigating extreme poverty while growing up in the Bay Area. Raised by a single deaf mother, Stanley was a Child of a Deaf Adult (CODA) who was required to act as an interpreter and resource seeker. This early experience provided him with a firsthand understanding of systemic barriers, addiction, and the pressures of survival. His life began to stabilize when he moved in with his father in Traverse City, Michigan, at age 12. At 18, he moved to Missoula, Montana, where he began building an independent life, a journey that ultimately led him to Seattle before being temporarily interrupted by incarceration. 

Stanley used this period as a catalyst for growth, earning an Associate’s degree in Human Services and facilitating peer support groups focused on coping and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Having navigated his own battles with mental health and co-dependency, he continues his personal growth through active therapy, mentorship, and by pursuing a BA in Psychology. Stanley leverages his personal experience and unique skills to implement community-based support and reform. While he gained experience in reform as a Policy Consultant at the Center for Effective Public Policy, his heart remains in hands-on support. He actively volunteers as a facilitator for “Back to Life”, a Re-entry group at Peer Seattle, and offers advocacy and resources through Black and Pink. Now, as a Peer Support Specialist at the Renton Municipal Court, Stanley walks alongside individuals, offering trauma-informed support and sharing his commitment that personal experience can be a powerful resource for anyone navigating the justice system and seeking healing and stability. 

Born and raised in the warmth of Hawaii, Rae has always felt a deep connection to the natural beauty of her homeland. However, her early years were marked by significant challenges that have shaped her into the compassionate and resilient person she is today. Rae’s journey began with humble beginnings, marked by the difficulties of growing up in a family affected by addiction. Her childhood was filled with emotional hardship and painful circumstances that, while overwhelming, did not define her. Experiences of trauma, including substance use disorder and abuse, as well as domestic violence, left lasting impacts on her sense of self-worth and understanding of the world. These challenges were compounded by generational trauma, yet Rae’s strength allowed her to navigate these dark moments.

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Despite the hardships, Rae has emerged as a powerful source of hope and inspiration, offering support to others who are struggling with feelings of isolation or despair. For the past decade, Rae, her family, and their dog ‘Āina have called Washington home, embracing the beauty of the outdoors, the richness of local culture, unique cuisine, music, and the joy of sunshine-filled summers. Looking ahead, Rae dreams of having her own chickens and a goat while continuing to nurture positivity and strength. Her journey of healing and transformation is driven by her deep desire to uplift others and share her unwavering spirit.

Coming soon!

Michelle was born in Hermiston, Oregon, and moved with her family of five to Burien, Washington, at the age of two. She considers the Pacific Northwest her home. Michelle is a proud mother of a daughter in college and shares a loving and supportive home in Maple Valley with her husband and their two beloved fur babies. In her free time, she enjoys disc golfing, creating stained glass artwork, and cooking for friends and family.

After years of struggling with mental health challenges, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, Michelle embarked on a long and transformative journey of recovery and healing. Her path has been marked by deep self-reflection, accountability, and personal growth. Through mindfulness, peer support, and service to others, she has successfully rebuilt her life and found purpose in helping others do the same.

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Today, Michelle proudly serves as a Peer Services Specialist for King County Drug Diversion Court, using her lived experience to guide and support individuals facing similar challenges. She is dedicated to helping people reclaim their lives and re-enter society with dignity, confidence, and hope. Since beginning her involvement as a volunteer at the front desk for Peer Kent, Michelle has grown into the roles of Recovery Coach and Group Facilitator. She also facilitates the "No Matter What; Women in Recovery" support group.

Michelle's work is grounded in empathy, resilience, and the belief that no one is beyond redemption when given the right support, encouragement, and opportunities for change. Her lived experience, combined with her commitment to service, allows her to connect authentically with others and inspire hope in those navigating their own recovery journeys.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!