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Peer Support Specialists
Now you can contact us remotely and get the peer support you still need. Here are our Peers with a brief bio that include their contact numbers and the hours they are available. Also, feel free to use our 'Contact Us' page and send a general message and have us reach out to you!
Dahlton Burke
Program Manager
I’ve been the Lead Peer Support Specialist of Comfort Zone for over six years at New Narrative. I am self educated; my discovery and growth as a peer came from a long road of self-care, with many starts and stops along the way. I am a strong advocate for the the Queer and BIPOC communities.
I have lived experience in:
Autism, C-PTSD, Houselessness, Severe Depression
Generalized Anxiety, Partial Epilepsy (Post Surgery), Childhood physical and sexual abuse, LGBTQIA (I’m trans and identify as non-binary), Suicidal outpatient and inpatient services
I have certifications/training in:
PWS (Peer Wellness Specialist), AED/First Aid/CPR, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Alt2S (Alternatives to Suicide), CCAR (Cultural-Centered Approach to Recovery), DBT (Dialectal Behavioral Therapy)
I’m an amateur artist with interests in games (tabletop and digital). I’ve attended many conventions but have only cosplayed less than a handful of times. I am comfortable with being casual to empower personal connection with those I work with, however, I can very easily transition to a more formal way of conversation when needed. My cat’s name is Nicolas Cage because he likes to scream and knows a few tricks.
John Kightlinger
Peer Support Specialist
MCJ, CPSS, QMHA
My name is John and I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist with 7 years of experience. I currently work for New Narrative at the Comfort Zone. I have experience in both clinical and peer-run settings.
I have specialized in jail diversion and mobile crisis. I also have experience providing support with Social Security.
My educational background is in criminology and criminal justice. Being a peer, I have lived personal life experiences that equip me to support people who may have similar experiences or are interested in certain topics.
Some topics I am familiar with include bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, anxiety, psychosis, childhood trauma, psychiatric hospitalization, outpatient services, and psychotropic medication.
I am more than happy to provide peer support by using my personal and professional experience to those who are interested.
Melissa Esquivel
Homeless Outreach Peer Support Coordinator
CNA/MA, CPSS
I’ve been a Certified Peer Support Specialist with New Narrative
at Comfort Zone for over 3 years. I am a bilingual Spanish-speaking peer who is a passionate activist for immigration/equal rights who has experienced immigration trauma personally, and I’m also a certified CNA/MA. I have lived experience in childhood trauma, as well as being a child of incarceration and addiction. I experience anxiety, depression, C-PTSD, and Bipolar I. I have skills to assist immigrants in finding resources and would love to support you with my lived experience.
Hola me llamo Melissa. Soy especialista en apoyo a compañera/compañero trabajo con New Narrative Comfort Zone por tres años. Soy bilingüe en English y Español. Soy un activista apasionada por los derechos de immigrantes/LBGTQ+ soy certificada en CNA/ MA. Tengo experiencia de vida en trauma de niñes y adulto también soy hija de encargcelacion y addiction, alcoholismo igual a trauma propia de Migración. Puedo ayudar con recursos migratorios también buscar otros tipos de recursos. Mis diagnosis son ansiedad y depression PTSD acompejado igual a bi-polar 1. Me gustaría apoyarte con mi experiencia vivido.
(503) 851-5808
Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
