The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted all of us. Join us to learn how community-based, peer-run organization Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon successfully modified our services to continue to serve our communities during this critical time. We’ll discuss changes made to our peer certification training in addition to program pivots within our diverse peer support offerings, including at hospitals, shelters, jails, and more. Finally, we will consider ways in which MHAAO created new supports for our staff members and peer workforce at large.
Adrienne Scavera is the Training and Outreach Department Director for Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), one of Oregon's oldest and largest peer-run organizations. In her role as a department director, Adrienne works to support the peer workforce from initial entry and training to systems-level advocacy. Currently, Adrienne serves on several committees and boards, including the Oregon Health Authority’s Training Evaluation and Metrics Program Scoring Committee and the state Traditional Health Worker Commission.
In her work, Adrienne prioritizes the experience of individuals as the experts on their own lives. Over the years, she has worked in research, direct service, program development, management, training, and with non-profits, educational institutions, and peer-run organizations. She enjoys writing about herself in third person, well-organized spaces, and friendly animals.
Terry Leckron Myers has been a longtime criminal justice reform champion and Partnership for Safety & Justice board member since 2006. She has led key initiatives navigating all systems to improve the social health of all members in the community we serve, including criminal justice reform. Terry’s ability to develop trusting relationships as a liaison for internal and external teams to develop and improve systems with community partners has been demonstrated throughout her work.
Recognized as a leader in bringing nonprofit and community partners together to streamline services and understanding of all partnering healthcare systems, Terry’s work includes Mentor Program Director at Bridges to Change, empowering people by strengthening individuals and families affected by addiction, mental health, poverty, and homelessness. Terry also worked as lead organizer for the Recovery Association Project where she supported people in recovery to make social changes. As Director of Central City Concern Portland Metro Worksource, she created pathways to employment and community integration for formerly incarcerated people. Currently, Terry serves as EVOLVE Program Director with Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon. In both her professional and volunteer careers, she’s driven by the belief that all people deserve to live their lives with dignity and grace.
Reina Bower is a person in long term recovery and what that means for her is that she has not used any mind altering substances for over 10 years (4-1-2010). Her lived experience includes being incarcerated in state prison and county jails and losing her children to DHS due to being unable to care for them. While at Coffee Creek Women's Correctional Institution, Reina began to feel hope for a different way of life and started attending church, self-help recovery groups, and successfully completed a 6-month parenting class - one of the first of her many accomplishments in recovery. After taking a peer support training, Reina began working with others that had walked that same path she had and used her lived experience to positively benefit others. With her strong experience in peer support and recovery, Reina joined MHAAO as a manager and currently serves as EVOLVE Program Director. Reina is an example that people can and DO recover!
Reina is pictured here with the judge who last sent her to prison, whom she credits with saving her life.
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