This year at PeerPocalypse, the principle “Nothing About Us Without Us” has impacted me more deeply than ever before. I learned that many within the peer workforce are experiencing increasing feelings of tokenization. It reminded me that we peer workers have always had to pave our own path, and even for those of us who have worked hard to be recognized as experts through our own lived experiences, there is still a continued call to action. We must keep advocating for ourselves and for the peer community as a whole with the same passion and intention we bring to advocating for the people we serve.
“Nothing About Us Without Us” begins with Peer Workers.
Many of us choose this work because we care about people, equity, and ensuring that everyone has a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their lives. Across industries, teams are expected to collaborate under pressure and make decisions with real consequences. That is why tokenism cuts so deeply in workplace settings.
Tokenism is not just a cultural issue; it weakens trust, collaboration, and organizational integrity. When people with lived experience are invited into spaces but not given meaningful influence, consulted without being trusted, or highlighted without being supported, organizations risk recreating the same inequities they claim to challenge.
Decisions should never be made about people without their meaningful involvement. In the workplace, this applies not only to policies and initiatives, but also to the everyday ways teams collaborate and make decisions together.
I also had to acknowledge something within myself: because I personally do not feel tokenized in my role at ShelterCare, despite wearing many hats, I may have become somewhat disconnected from what others in the peer workforce are experiencing. That is exactly why gatherings of my fellow peers like PeerPocalypse matter so much.
Over 1,250 peers from across the country came together to discuss the many challenges we are facing, from funding losses to changing laws and regulations. Through those conversations, one thing became clear: the peer community is deeply rooted, and we must continue to rise together. We do that through advocacy, civic engagement, and standing alongside one another. We are the voice for people who feel unheard. We can be a light for those who feel unseen, isolated, and alone in the dark.
By: Crys Webb, Peer Support Supervisor, ShelterCare
This year, I attended Peerpocalypse virtually. I had such a great experience and had the opportunity to attend some truly meaningful workshops centered around peer support growth, leadership development, preventing burnout, compassion fatigue, and self-care.
One of the biggest takeaways from this experience was the importance of caring for ourselves while supporting others. One of the biggest quotes that stood out to me was “You can CARE with CARRYING”. I have now said that to myself multiple times a day since Peerpocalypse, and it truly has helped me to not bring some of the stuff we see and do home with us.
These workshops reminded me that self-care is not selfish; it’s actually completely necessary in order to keep showing up authentically in all we do. And it helps us show up compassionately for our participants, and also our team members, our friends, our loved ones, and our community!
After the Peerpocalypse experience, I feel inspired, recharged, and grateful for all the information and camaraderie with other peers. I am very happy to be a part of this work we do, and love being able to connect with so many other people & businesses that are just as dedicated to supporting our community as ShelterCare is!
I do have some printouts & worksheets from some of the Self-Care workshops I took. Please feel free to reach out if you would like any.
With gratitude,
Melissa Hawk, Peer Support Specialist, ShelterCare