The Refuge Peer Support Specialist

The Peer Support Specialist – Crisis Services plays a vital role in Green Tree’s Refuge Crisis Diversion program by providing immediate, person-centered support to individuals experiencing emotional or behavioral health crises and/or crises related to substance use challenges.

The Green Tree Peer Support Program is a peer-operated wellness center dedicated to empowering individuals to lead more fulfilling lives through peer support, self-help education, and meaningful social connections. All of our staff have experienced disruptive challenges related to trauma, mental health, substance use, or neurodiversity. We “get it” because we have walked and recovered our lives from these challenges! It is a non-profit organization that is free to the community and welcomes drop-in visits;

no appointments required. We offer individual support as well as scheduled activities and meetings. Learn about our offerings below–maybe we can share your path to well-being!

About Green Tree Peer Support

Green Tree Peer Support is a peer-run nonprofit organization dedicated to building recovery, wellness, and community for people with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges. Our programs and spaces are grounded in mutual support, connection, and empowerment.

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) uses their lived experience of recovery to inspire hope, promote self-advocacy, and support others in achieving their own recovery goals. Peer Support Specialists serve as role models, connectors, and companions on the recovery journey—offering one-on-one and group-based support that centers mutuality and respect. The PSS contributes to a welcoming, inclusive environment at Green Tree and plays an important role in shaping and sustaining our peer community.

Position Summary

The Peer Support Specialist – Crisis Services plays a vital role in Green Tree’s Refuge Crisis Diversion program by providing immediate, person-centered support to individuals experiencing emotional or behavioral health crises and/or crises related to substance use challenges.

This role emphasizes connection over control ,
compassion over compliance , and peer relationship over clinical intervention
. Peer Specialists in this division use their own lived experience to walk alongside guests in distress – offering grounding, listening, and the belief that recovery and resilience are always possible.

Key Responsibilities

Crisis and Emotional Support

• Provide immediate, compassionate peer support to individuals experiencing emotional distress or crisis.
• Use active listening, grounding, and mutual support techniques to promote calm and safety.
• Model hope, recovery, and self-determination through appropriate sharing of personal lived experience.
• Maintain a nonjudgmental, harm reduction based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach in all interactions.
• Collaborate with team members to de-escalate situations in ways that prioritize dignity and choice.

Program Participation and Coordination

• Support day-to-day operations of The Refuge by welcoming guests, maintaining a calm and restorative environment, facilitating community connection, and assisting with immediate needs such as meals, laundry, showers, and comfort measures that promote rest and dignity.
• Assist guests in identifying short-term coping strategies and long-term recovery goals.
• Provide referrals and linkages to community-based services and supports as desired by the guest.
• Document interactions and service data according to program guidelines and grant requirements.
• Maintain a trauma aware lens and promote and uphold trauma aware values by promoting agency and respecting an individual’s dignity of risk.
• Participate in team debriefings, staff meetings, and reflective supervision.

Community and Systems Collaboration

• Promote the values of peer support and recovery-oriented crisis alternatives within community and systems-level partnerships.
• Engage in outreach and education to raise awareness of The Refuge as a voluntary, non-clinical crisis option.
• Support collaborative relationships with behavioral health providers, law enforcement diversion…