The Peer Recovery Network is the nation’s newest recovery outreach program, serving the GLBT drug and alcohol recovery community.  We are a network of agencies who are working together to help this underserved population on the path to recovery, and out of isolation.  The included agencies are: Seattle Counseling Services, Gay City Health Project, Dunshee House, Seattle Black Pride, and Multifaith Works.  Each agency brings its own area of expertise to the network.  Seattle Counseling Services has long been one of the pioneering leaders in offering CD and mental health services to the GLBT population, Dunshee House is a leading expert in peer facilitator training and host to over 25 GLBT peer-led support groups, Gay City Health Project is an amazing recourse for bringing together the gay community and will be holding a myriad of monthly sober social events, Multifaith Works provides volunteers who are in recovery, with newly recovering individuals as a means of bringing individuals out of isolation and to experience a fulfilling life in recovery, and Seattle Black Pride will do outreach through its dedication to empowering and educating the LGBT Black Community.

A little more about Multifaith Works:

Multifaith Works defines recovery as "A personal commitment to a collaborative process which incorporates mental, spiritual, and physical health and balance in response to addictive and/ or self damaging behavior."

Multifaith Works has the amazing opportunity in providing those who are newly sober and have a commitment to their recovery a way out of isolation by placing them with a Recovery CareTeam or a Shanti Volunteers.

What are Shanti’s and Recovery CareTeams?

The Shanti Program provides one-on-one volunteer-based emotional support.  Shanti Recovery Volunteers are experienced in providing support to people affected by alcohol and substance abuse issues.

Our service is aimed at easing the burdens and improving the well-being of people who are living with the challenges of staying sober.  We also support their partners, spouses, and family members.  Each Shanti relationship is unique and depends on the needs of the client.  The carefully-matched pair usually spends a few hours each week together. 

 Loneliness, anxiety, depression, and fear can be overwhelming.  By providing supportive listening and companionship, our volunteers help empower clients to identify and meet their own needs.  Our one-to-one support is free, confidential, and always non-judgmental.

A Recovery CareTeam is a group of four to seven compassionate individuals who provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support to a person working through recovery issues.  Volunteers come to us as individuals or may be based out of spiritual communities, recovery communities, universities or civic groups.

Recovery CareTeams are matched with people working through addiction issues, referred to as CarePartners.  CareTeams build supportive relationships with CarePartners by listening, offering encouragement, and establishing meaningful personal connections.  CareTeam activities are directed by the needs and interests of the CarePartner and skills of the volunteers.  Support may include: transportation to appointments, phone calls, birthday parties, help with moving, and shared meals.

 For more information, or to volunteer for any of these agencies contact:

Multifaith Works  206.324.1520 www.multifaith.org

Gay City Health Project  206.860.6969 www.gaycity.org

Seattle Counseling Services  206.323.1768 www.seattlecounseling.org/

Dunshee House  206.322.2584 www.dunsheehouse.org/

Seattle Black Pride  206.324.1520 www.seattleblackpride.org/